Owners filed 99 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 3 times.
When it fails
06500065,000 milesMedian miles at failure
59 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Electrical System
37
0
12
0
Air Bags
16
1
1
2
Engine
10
0
1
0
Unknown or Other
7
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling
5
0
1
0
Structure › Body
4
0
2
2
Power Train
3
0
0
0
Fuel/Propulsion System
3
0
0
0
Suspension
2
0
0
0
Fuel System, Gasoline
2
0
0
0
3 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module24V513000
Filed Jul 3, 2024394,029 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc
Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module20V017000
Filed Jan 15, 202059,965 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc
Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Electrical System › Wiring17V676000
Filed Oct 25, 2017702,965 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc
Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
Risk. Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Tires
Filed Apr 27, 2025CT
225/40R18 the stoplight right down route 7 by stop and shop there is a rectangular hole in the street. I could not avoid it when driving Friday morning 4/25/25 and the dip in the ground blew my driver side front and rear tires and scratched the rims. I had to spend my day Friday getting my tires replaced and now I have scratches on my rims which are fairly new
Air Bags
Filed Apr 17, 2025162,000 milesIN
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328XI. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the air bag deployed unintendedly. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated prior to the air bag deployment. The air bag deployed, and there was no occupant inside the vehicle. The contact stated that after the air bag had deployed, the air bag warning light was illuminated after the air bag had deployed. The vehicle was recently taken to the dealer and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 12, 2025PA
Unknown
Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jul 19, 2024FL
Wiring inside headlamp is not up to Standards. For the cost the replace the headlight the wiring should not be falling apart causing shorts. One night I was driving and got a warning on my dash for my headlights and noticed it was a bit harder to see. Pulled over and noticed the headlight was out. Went to replace the bulb and noticed the wires have zero protection on them and are all touching.. this is not safe as wire shorts can cause a fire and not to mention the visibility issues. The driver side is not the bright at all and flickers while I’m driving. Both sides are having this issue and that’s unacceptable saying the headlights are over 800 dollars EACH and that’s used.. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle knowing that the wire short can cause a fire while I’m driving.
Electrical System
Filed Jan 27, 2023NJ
BMW Bi Xenon Headlights wires harness. Insulation on wires peels off and start touching each other. Malfunction high beam, low beam, turning light.
Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Nov 4, 202270,000 milesCT
The contact owned a 2008 BMW 328xi. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact's son was driving approximately 30 MPH when the son noticed that smoke had begun to issue from the dashboard vents. The son pulled over and stopped the vehicle and exited when the vehicle dashboard burst into flames. The fire department was called and extinguished the flames with water. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact's insurance provider declared the vehicle a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Electrical System
Filed Oct 3, 2022VA
The positive battery fuse cable under the glovebox is placed into a plastic space causing melting. This leads to the vehicle going dead and not even emergency lights will work. This recall has been placed on very few BMWs however it is affecting way more then they are saying. You can see in UK where a man was killed for the vehicle going dead in the middle of the road and emergency lights cannot be used to warn other drivers. How has their not been taken car of already. I am extremely disappointed in our system, and in BMW. My mind is completely blown that this is not cared about.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 1, 2022PA
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine
Filed Jun 21, 2022IN
The car was over heating and not starting as well as fuel pump error on my dash. There is an open recall on my vehicle starting March of 2022 it is now June and BMW says they don’t know when they will have a remedy for this and it could be months but I need my car.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 23, 2022NJ
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and BMW of Springfield Parts & Accessories (391 US-22, Springfield, NJ 07081: (908) 232-1466) were contacted and made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 15, 2022MN
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328XI. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was notified about the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was still safe to drive despite the parts for the recall not being available. The manufacturer was also notified of the issue and informed him that the vehicle was not safe to drive; he was instructed to leave the vehicle parked until parts for the recall were available. The contact was referred back to the dealer for a loaner vehicle; however, the dealer stated that there were no loaner vehicles available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine
Filed Feb 22, 2022147,675 milesCA
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328XI. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH on the highway, the engine failed. The contact pulled over to the emergency lane. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove home safely. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure code was not able to be generated and another appointment was made for further testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was also informed that his vehicle could be related to a fuel injection issue. No further information was available. The approximate failure mileage was 147,675.
Suspension
Filed Oct 21, 2021NJ
Mileage Rollback
EngineFire
Filed Jun 1, 2021131,000 milesNY
The contact owned a 2008 BMW 328xi. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, she saw smoke exiting the front passenger side of the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact parked and exited the vehicle safely and called 911. The contact stated 25 seconds after exiting the vehicle, the vehicle exploded and caught on fire. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The contact stated that there was no injury. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.
Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 13, 2020120,000 milesCT
WHILE COMING TO A STOP OR TAKING A TURN THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF AT WHICH POINT I LOSE TOTAL CONTROL OVER THE CAR. AT THIS POINT I HAVE TO DO MY BEST TO COME TO A STOP SAFELY AND AVOID ANY POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON ONCE THE CAR SHUTS DOWN, BUT THE CAR WILL START RIGHT BACK UP AFTERWARDS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES AWAY. THE CAR WILL DRIVE NORMAL, BUT THIS HAPPENS OFTEN AND SCARED AS THERE IS NO WARNING SIGN OF WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME; I HAVE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR NOT TO GET INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT.
Air BagsFire
Filed Jul 4, 2020250,000 milesNY
CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED ON SMOKE CAME OUT FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS AND ALL DOORS LOCKED FROM INSIDE. THERE WERE 2 OCCUPANTS INSIDE THAT NEEDED ASSISTANCE TO GET OUT WHILE THE CAR WAS CATCHING FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jan 24, 2020NY
VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT AND A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE DASHBOARD
Structure › BodyFire
Filed Dec 28, 2019140,000 milesWA
WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN A STRIP MALL PARKING LOT AND SHUT OFF, CAR IGNITED IN FLAMES AND IS NOW A TOTAL LOSS
Electrical System
Filed Mar 27, 2019159,684 milesMI
MY VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING WILL SHUT OFF BUT WITH POWER AT LEAST TWO TIMES. ONCE I RESTART THE CAR AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR THEN SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY AND LOSES ALL POWER. THE VEHICLE THEN WILL NOT HAVE ANY HEAD LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS OR HAZARD LIGHTS WON'T WORK EITHER. TO TRY AND REMEDY THE PROBLEM, THE POWER ADAPTER HAD BEEN REPLACED ONLY FOR THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES.
Electrical System
Filed Nov 30, 2018NC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AS THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED OVER A YEAR AGO. THE DEALER (HENDRICK BMW, 6950 E INDEPENDENCE BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28227, (704)-321-4851) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO CONFIRM IF THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jul 3, 2024. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.