2008 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 691 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 15 involved a crash and 63 involved a fire. 25 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine cooling, exhaust system, emission control, crankcase (pcv)Mar 2, 2022
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 22V119000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, cooling system, fanAug 10, 2012
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
Campaign 12E029000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalJul 8, 2009
BMW IS RECALLING 2,350 MY 2008 1-SERIES AND 3- SERIES PASSENGER CARS. INCORRECT CRIMP CONNECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE SIDE AIR BAG AND BELT TENSIONER WIRING. AS A RESULT SUFFICIENT CONTACT BETWEEN THE CRIMP CONNECTORS AND THE CORRESPONDING PLUG MAY NOT OCCUR WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF THAT CONNECTION.
IF THAT HAPPENED, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR THE SIDE AIR BAG AND/OR THE SAFETY BELT TENSIONER NOT TO DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 09V257000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
212 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 28, 2014
I WAS WARMING UP THE CAR IN THE MORNING FOR WORK, IT WAS ON FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES; AS I SAT DOWN PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE I HEARD A NOISE AND MY CAR SHUT DOWN. I TURNED MY CAR BACK ON AND DROVE FOR A SHORT PERIOD BEFORE NOTICING THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY AIR BLOWING.... I TOOK IT THE MECHANIC A DAY LATER TO REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR.... THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE BLOWER MOTOR, THE PROBLEM WAS A RECTANGLE SHAPED CABLE FOR FOUR PRONGS BUT ONLY THREE WHERE CONNECTED TO THE BLOWER MOTOR MELTED AND BURNED OUT THE CABLE. THE MECHANIC FOLLOWED THE CABLE AND CUT THE AFFECTED BURNED CORRODED RUSTED !!! PART OF THE CABLE, AND REPLACED IT..... IF I WASN'T LOOKING HE WOULD HAVE CHARGED ME FOR A BLOWER....AND MAYBE MORE !!! I HONESTLY DO THINK BMW SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM... TWO DAYS LATER MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SWITCH WHEN OUT- I PURCHASED ONE AT ORIELYS AUTO PARTS; THE WATER PUMP ALSO FAILED THE SAME DAY AND MY CAR OVER HEATED THAT MADE THE TOTAL OVER 2 GRAND IN LESS THAN A WEEK!!! , BUT MY BLOWER WORKS PERFECT WTF !!! EVERYTHING BEGAN THAT MORNING.... BECAUSE OF THE CABLE THAT SHORTED !!! OH AND ON TOP OF THAT THE TURBO IS MAKING NOISES AND I THINK ITS FAILING NOW!!! *TR
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Mar 20, 2014
SUDDEN FAILURE OF WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP. OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND WASHER WAS UNDER CONSTANT USE DUE TO HEAVY RAIN AND ROAD CONDITIONS. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Mar 19, 2014
MY 2008 BMW 335I HAS THE SAME ISSUE FOR WHICH THE BELOW RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO 2008 MODEL YEAR. RECALL SUBJECT : FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT PROTECTION MAT REPORT RECEIPT DATE: NOV 12, 2013 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 COMPONENT(S): AIR BAGS POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 76,565 MANUFACTURER: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC SUMMARY: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA LLC (BMW) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 325I, 325XI, 330I, 330XI SEDANS AND 325XI SPORTS WAGONS, MODEL YEAR 2007 328I, 328XI, 335I, 335XI SEDANS AND 328I AND 328XI SPORTS WAGONS, MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 525I, 525XI, 530I, 530XI, 550I SEDANS AND 530XI SPORTS WAGONS, MODEL YEAR 2006 760I SEDANS, MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 750I, 750LI, AND 760LI SEDANS, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 X5 SPORTS ACTIVITY VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH CERTAIN SEAT TYPES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT THAT DETERMINES IF AND HOW THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG SHOULD DEPLOY IN A CRASH MAY FATIGUE AND DEVELOP CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO A SYSTEM FAILURE. CONSEQUENCE: SHOULD THE SYSTEM FAIL, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WOULD BE DEACTIVATED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. REMEDY: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS WITH AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER IN JANUARY 2014 SINCE PARTS ARE NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, ANTICIPATED TO BE IN MARCH 2014, BMW WILL SEND A SECOND LETTER AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY THAT IT MAY CRACK, FREE OF CHARGE. ADDITIONALLY, OWNERS OF MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 3 SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, 5 SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS, AND Z4 MODELS, WILL RECEIVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THEIR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AT 1-800-525-7417 OR EMAIL BMW AT CUSTOMERRELATIONS@BMWUSA.COM. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 26, 2014
AC UNIT WENT FROM BLOWING COLD TO HOT AIR WITH NO WARNING .. A BURNING SMELL WAS ALSO NOTICED AT THE SAME TIME. MY CAR HAD JUST COME OUT BMW SERVICE FOR AN OIL CHANGE . BURNT CONNECTORS , WIRES AND AC BLOWER REPLACED (AT OWNERS EXPENSE ) SHORTLY AFTER I (OWNER ) RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING CABLE WIRE TO BATTERY WERE NOT PROPERLY INSULTED AND BMW WOULD REPLACE THEM AT NO COST TO OWNER.. WAS ADVISED BY BMW SERVICE THIS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BURNED UP CONNECTING WIRES TO THE AC BLOWER.. ONLY HAD MY CAR 1/12YR UNDER WARRANTY WHEN I PURCHASED IT OF COURSE NOT WHEN THIS PROBLEM HAPPEN WHICH WAS COSTLY. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Jan 16, 2014
ADAPTIVE HEAD LIGHT SYSTEM FAILURE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE UNIT HAD BEEN REPLACED WITHIN 4 YEARS AND UNDER 65K MILES. EVERY TIME THIS WAS A NON AGGRAVATED ISSUE AND NOT COVERED BY THE DEALER. FURTHERMORE, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AROUND A CORNER AT A MODERATE RATE OF SPEED I NOTICED THE CAR MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE. UPON PULLING OVER AND INSPECTING FURTHER, IT WAS FOUND TO BE A SHREDDED BELT WHICH HAD THROWN ITSELF EVERYWHERE INSIDE THE ENGINE BAY. ONCE IT WAS TOWED TO BE REPAIRED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER STEERING PULLEY CONTACTED THE FRONT BAR AND, BREAKING THE PULLEY IN HALF, CAUSING IT TO HAVE SHARP EDGES WHICH DIRECTLY CUT THE BELT IN HALF AND RESULTED IN THE BELT BEING WRAPPED AROUND THE PULLEY AND VARIOUS ENGINE COMPONENTS. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CLEARANCE AS A RESULT OF A FACTORY/MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND NOW I AM OUT ON THE BILL. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 16, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY WIRES WERE DAMAGED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL. ADDITIONALLY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HALO LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
Electrical system, Structure, Nov 5, 2013
THE AUC SENSOR UNDER THE HOOD IS NOT WELL SECURED. THE BRACKET SECURING THE SENSOR IS BROKEN LEAVING THE SENSOR LOOSE UNDER THE HOOD. THE LOOSE SENSOR WIRE RUBS AGAINST SHARP EDGE OF THE CAR BODY, BREAKING THE OUTER PROTECTIVE SHIELD OF THE WIRE. THE EXPOSED WIRE IS A FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 25, 2013, fire
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MOMENTS AND RESUMED NORMALLY HOWEVER, THE AIR CONDITIONER, HEADLIGHTS AND THE RADIO WERE INOPERABLE. IN ADDITION, A BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE MELTED WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE BATTERY AND STARTER WERE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE BATTERY CABLE AND FUSE BOX WERE REPLACE ON A SEPARATE OCCASION BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. KMJ
Electrical system, Sep 16, 2013
THE CAR WOULD NOT START AS INDICATED ON THE RECALL. THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED FROM THE BAD CABLES. I REPLACED THE CABLES AT BMW UNDER THE RECALL A D WAS CHARGED FOR REPROGRAMMING. TO REPLACE THE CONNECTORS IT WOULD NEED REPROGRAMMED AND I FEEL THE BATTERY SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THEIR RECALL. THERE ARE SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. THE LIGHTS WORKED AND ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS JUST WOULD NOT START. BMW ADVISED IT NEEDED A NEW BATTERY BUT WOULD NOT INCLUDE ON THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH ITS A KNOWN PROBLEM. IF THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE CABLE THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPROGRAM IT EITHER WAY, NEW BATTERY OR THE EXISTING BATTERY AS THEY WOULD NOT LEAVE IT "HOT" WHILE WORKING ON IT. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 13, 2013, fire
9/11/2013 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:25 AM EST MY 2008 BMW 335I SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE FROM WHAT SEEMS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE DASH BOARD AREA. I WAS MAKING MY DAILY COMMUTE TO WORK WHEN THE AC UNIT SHUT OFF AND THEN TURNED BACK ON WITH THICK BLACK SMOKE POURING INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR. NATURALLY I ROLLED THE WINDOWS DOWN TO ALLOW THE SMOKE TO CLEAR SO THAT I COULD PULL OVER OUT OF TRAFFIC. THIS MADE MATTERS WORSE, THE SMOKE THICKENED, THE HORN STARTED HONKING AS IF SOMEONE WAS HOLDING THE HORN DOWN, AS I WAS PULLING THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE SMOKE BECAME UNBEARABLE, I WAS FORTUNATE TO ESCAPE THE CAR AS THE FIRE RIPPED INTO THE CABIN CONSUMING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WITHIN JUST MINUTES. THE CAR IS NOW TOTALED AND MY INSURANCE IS INVESTIGATING. MY QUERY IS WHAT IF I HAD OTHER PEOPLE IN MY CAR? WHAT IF MY CAR WAS IN MY GARAGE? WHAT IF I HAD YOUNGER CHILDREN IN THE CAR? JUDGING ON HOW QUICKLY THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT EVEN IN MY VERY ABLE CONDITION REMOVING TWO YOUNG CHILDREN FROM THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE, THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO! SEEING AS BMW'S TARGETED AUDIENCE IS MIDDLE TO UPPER CLASS FAMILIES I WONDER IF THE PUBLIC KNOWS OF THE RISKS? I KNOW I SURE DIDN'T, HOWEVER AFTER REVIEWING THE BLOGS AND POSTS ONLINE I HAVE SEEN COUNTLESS OTHER SCENARIOS UNFOLD ALMOST IDENTICAL TO MINE AND I KNOW I AM NOT ALONE. I AM CURRENTLY DEALING WITH MY INSURANCE AND I AM SURE THEY WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH BMW AS THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER 100,000 MILES AND JUST AT 5 YEARS OF AGE. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Sep 3, 2013
DRIVERS DOOR LOCKED AS NORMAL WHEN CAR REACHED A CERTAIN SPEED BUT MADE A WEIRD NOISE. NOW IT WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEYLESS OR UNLOCK BUTTON ON DASH OF CAR. WILL ONLY UNLOCK MANUALLY. DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR??? I HAVE HEARD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS... I HOPE THEY ARE COVERED WITH A RECALL SOON! *JB
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jul 17, 2013
MY NAME IS ? AND I'M HAVING A SERIOUS PROBLEM GETTING MY CAR FIXED BY THE BMW DEALERSHIP SPECIFICALLY THE ONE LOCATED AT EDISON, NJ. I'VE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE BRAKES NOT WORKING (2) WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN IN BAD WEATHER, I.E. SNOW AND RAIN. BACK IN APRIL (4/11/2013) BMW CORPORATION A LETTER STATING THAT IF THE ABOVE PROBLEM AND OTHER PROBLEMS MENTIONED IN THERE LETTER WAS EVIDENT, I NEEDED TO STOP DRIVING IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE THE CAR SERVICED, WHICH I DID. WELL THE PROBLEM SUBSIDED FOR ABOUT A MONTH THEN STARTED UP AGAIN (THE PROBLEM IS MY CAR'S DASH BOARD WHILE DRIVING WILL GO COMPLETELY OR AS YOU'LL SEE IN THE ATTACHMENT PARTIALLY BLANK ON ME WHILE I'M DRIVING. WHEN IT GOES COMPLETELY BLANK THE CAR SHUTTERS AS IF IT WANTS TO TURN OFF). I WASN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL AROUND 6/10/2013 TO COMPLAIN THAT THE ISSUE WAS STILL HAPPENING. ON OR AROUND THE 6/10/2013 DATE THIS SAME TECH RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ON MY CAR (WHICH I HAVE THE COPY OF). TO MAKE A VERY LONG STORY SHORT I RETURNED TO THE EDISON LOCATION TODAY 7/17/2013 AND TEXT THE SAME ATTACHMENT TO [XXX] MEMBERS OF THE BMW MANAGEMENT/SERVICE TEAM, TO MY AMAZEMENT I WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH MANAGEMENT AGREED THAT VIA THE PICTURE THEIR WAS A PROBLEM. AT THIS POINT WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO FIND THE PROBLEM LISTED IN THE ABOVE ATTACHMENT? DEATH!!!!!!!...... THERE IS A BRAKE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. JUST IN CASE ANYONE WANTS TO MAKE THE ASSUMPTION THAT IN SOME WAY I'M TRYING TO GET OVER, PLEASE REVIEW MY PAYMENT HISTORY, I PAY FOR MY CAR IN ADVANCE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!! I'M FEARFUL TO DRIVE IN BAD WEATHER, AND I'M FEARFUL THAT IN THE MIST OF GETTING DRIVING DIRECTION FROM MY CAR'S GPS IT'S GOING TO BLACK OUT ON ME, LEAVING ME IN THE MIDDLE OF NOW-WHERE. THANK GOD THE TIMES IT HAS BLANKED OUT, I'VE BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GO. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 12, 2013
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN BECAUSE IT REMAINED LOCKED. IT COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED USING THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE, THE KEY FOB UNLOCK BUTTON, OR THE DOOR LOCK SWITCH ON THE FRONT DASH. I HAD TO PHYSICALLY INSERT AND TURN THE KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE TO UNLOCK THE CAR. I UNDERSTAND THIS MAY BE A FUSE OR A DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR PROBLEM. IT IS AN ENORMOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF I CANNOT GET OUT OF MY CAR BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. *TR
Electrical system, May 9, 2013, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AREA. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE IGNITED IN FLAMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A POLICE AND A FIRE REPORT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, May 3, 2013
WHILE DRIVING, ATTEMPTING TO PASS A VEHICLE, I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND THE PEDAL HAD NO RESPONSE AND THE RPMS DROPPED. AFTER TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE DIES AND I DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ATTEMPTING TO DODGE TRAFFIC AS THE CAR'S GAS PEDAL IS NOT RESPONDING. UPON PULLING OVER SAFELY, NEARLY HITTING CARS ALONG THE WAY I COME TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR THEN NO LONGER STARTS. CRANKING CAN BE HEARD BUT ENGINE DOES NOT TURN OVER OR START. HAD IT REPAIRED, THE REASON IS A FUEL PUMP FAILURE, FUEL PUMP MODULE FAILURE, AND BLOWN FUSE ON FUEL PUMP. CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND COST TO REPAIR IS $1,800 AND A RISK TO MY SAFETY. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 24, 2013
AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE EVENING, MY 2008 BMW 328I COUPE BEGAN ACTING STRANGE. THE INTERIOR OVERHEAD LIGHTS AS WELL AS MOST ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS (RADIO, HAZARD BUTTON, ON-BOARD COMPUTER ETC.) BEGAN TO FLICKER ACCOMPANIED BY A TICKING NOISE IN SEQUENCE WITH THE FLICKERING. THE VEHICLE WAS ACTING AS THOUGH IT WAS ABOUT TO SHUT DOWN; THAT'S WHEN I DECIDED TO PULL OVER. AS I PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD, THE STEERING BECAME MORE DIFFICULT AND THE FLICKERING BECAME MORE FREQUENT. WHILE COMING TO A STOP (TRAVELING AT ABOUT 10MPH), THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF VITAL MECHANISMS SUCH AS STEERING, POWER, LIGHTING (BOTH INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR). THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT UNUSUALLY FIRM/STIFF (NOT SPONGY OR SOFT AS IT SHOULD FEEL). AT THIS POINT, THE VEHICLE HAD COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITH THE GEAR SELECTOR STILL IN "DRIVE". I ATTEMPTED TO RE-START THE VEHICLE BUT IT FAILED TO START. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO MY APARTMENT AND THE FOLLOWING DAY, I TOOK IT TO A REPUTABLE, INDEPENDENT BMW MECHANIC. HIS DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT SOMETHING RELATED TO THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY, POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CIRCUITRY WAS FAULTY--WHICH IN TURN, KILLED THE STARTER. HE REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH A NEW OEM BATTERY AS WELL AS REPLACED THE STARTER WITH AN NEW OEM STARTER AND THE RELATED WIRING/CIRCUITRY. A FEW WEEKS LATER, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL-- MARCH 2013 RECALL NO. 13V-044 : POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM. BECAUSE THE SYMPTOMS NOTED IN THE RECALL LETTER MATCH THOSE I EXPERIENCED IDENTICALLY, I AM SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF REPAIR THAT CORRELATES TO THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, BMW STATES IT WILL ONLY REIMBURSE THE COST OF REPAIR PERTAINING TO THE SINGLE PART AT FAULT/RECALLED. THE CAUSE OF THIS RECALL IS KNOWN, BUT THEY ARE FAILING TO REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS FOR THE DAMAGING EFFECTS THAT THE FAULTY/RECALLED PART MAY HAVE HAD ON OTHER COMPONENTS. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 4, 2013
MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED, ENGINE TURNED OFF, STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND IT WORK. CAME BACK AFTER DROPPING THE KIDS AND AFTER THE CAR IN PARK, REMOVED THE KEY AND FAN WAS ON. TRIED STARTING THE CAR AND WHITE SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NOW THE BATTERY DRAIN, CAR WONT START, THE DASHBOARD FLICKERS. CALLED BMW AND TOLD THEM AND SAID THE SYMPTOMS POINT TO RECALL ISSUE, NO RESPONSE. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 17, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE FAILED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,400.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 23, 2012
THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. THE LIGHTS FLASH ON THE OUTSIDE BUT EVEN WHEN PUSHING THE UNLOCK BUTTON FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR THE DOORS STAY LOCKED. I'M BEING TOLD IT IS A FUSE, BUT LITERALLY NONE OF THE DOORS WILL LOCK OR UNLOCK. THE ONLY WAY I WAS ABLE TO EXIT MY CAR WAS BY CRAWLING OUT OF MY WINDOW. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 10, 2012, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT INTO VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 20, 2012
DOOR LOCKS WOULDN'T OPEN OR CLOSE. INSIDE UNLOCK CAPABILITIES NOT WORKING EITHER. ONLY ACCESS IN OR OUT IS THROUGH THE KEYED ENTRY. CANNOT EVEN OPEN THE OTHER THREE DOORS. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 22, 2012
DRIVER EXITED CAR TO PUMP GAS. PASSENGERS REMAINED IN VEHICLE. GAS DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED AS MAIN DOOR LOCK WAS ENGAGED (THOUGH DRIVERS DOOR WAS UNLOCKED). KEY FOB UNLOCK FUNCTION WOULD NOT WORK TO UNLOCK CAR / GAS CAP. DRIVER PUSHED KEY FOB BUTTONS TO ATTEMPT UNLOCK, DRIVERS DOOR BECAME LOCKED DURING THIS ACTIVITY. NOW NO DOORS COULD BE UNLOCKED. DUE TO FAILURE ALL DOORS EXPERIENCED "2 PULL" DOOR UNLOCK SYSTEM FAILURE, THIS "2 PULL" SYSTEM, THAT IS SUPPOSED TO ENSURE DOORS CAN BE OPENED FROM INSIDE IF LOCK IS ENGAGED APPARENTLY REQUIRE SAME POWER AS GENERAL LOCKING SYSTEM. DRIVER COULD ONLY ENTER CAR BY USING EMERGENCY KEY AND UNLOCKING DRIVER'S DOOR. PASSENGER AND REAR DOORS REMAINED LOCK (AND ARE STILL LOCKED / INOPERABLE DUE TO SYSTEM FAILURE). POWER FAILURE IN DOOR LOCK SYSTEM (OR OTHER ASSOCIATED FAULT) MADE DOOR OPERATION IMPOSSIBLE. ALL DOORS WERE COMPLETELY INOPERABLE FROM THE INSIDE. PASSENGERS COULD NOT EXIT VEHICLE AS DOORS WERE LOCKED AND HANDLES DID NOT WORK. DRIVER COULD NOT ENTER VEHICLE BY KEY FOB UNLOCK FUNCTION. DRIVERS DOOR EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT OPERATION UNTIL SOME KIND OF MANUAL OVERRIDE, OR SOME OTHER SYSTEM CHANGE, MADE DRIVERS DOOR FUNCTIONAL BY "2 PULL" DOOR UNLOCK / OPEN METHOD. IF DRIVER HAD NOT BEEN PRESENT (IE: IN STORE PAYING FOR GAS OR FOR SOME OTHER REASON) PASSENGERS WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED IN CAR. IF ANY PASSENGER HAD BEEN PHYSICALLY DISABLED AND UNABLE TO CRAWL OUT OF CAR VIA DRIVERS DOOR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO WAY FOR PASSENGER TO EXIT CAR !!!!!. DOOR LOCK SYSTEM REMAINS INOPERABLE, PASSENGER AND REAR DOORS STILL LOCKED CLOSED WITH NO WAY TO OPEN THEM. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, May 21, 2012
I WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR. THE CARS LOCKS WOULD NOT UNLOCK USING THE UNLOCK BUTTON OR USING THE KEY FOB, NOR WOULD PULLING THE HANDLE UNLOCK OR OPEN THE DOOR. I CALLED BMW ASSIST AND THEY INDICATED THAT THEY HAD HEARD OF SEVERAL SIMILAR ISSUES AND THAT THE ONLY OPTION MAY BE CLIMBING OUT THE WINDOW. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS A CPO FROM A BMW DEALERSHIP APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS PRIOR. *TT
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 13, 2012
THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED ON MY CAR, THIS CAUSED THE REMOTE FOB AND ALSO INNER CENTRAL LOCKING BUTTON TO STOP WORKING, THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT OF THE CAR WAS TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVERS WINDOW AND TAKE THE KEY FOB APART TO REVEAL THE METAL KEY INSIDE, THIS COULD THEN BE USED FROM THE OUTSIDE TO OPEN THE DOOR BY PUTTING YOUR ARM OUT THE WINDOW HOWEVER ALL OTHER DOORS REMAIN LOCKED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, THE OTHER DOORS DO NOT HAVE A KEYHOLE AND THE INNER DOOR HANDLES WERE DISCONNECTED AND WOULD NOT WORK. MY PASSENGERS THEN HAD TO CRAWL OVER THE FRONT SEATS TO ESCAPE THE CAR THRU THE DRIVERS DOOR AND IN AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK. I THINK THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND FROM SEARCHING ONLINE I SEE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 23, 2011
DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. MANUAL KEY WILL WORK IN THE DRIVE SIDE DOOR OUTSIDE ONLY. OTHER 3 DOORS WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IS TO CLIMB THRU THE WINDOW OR CLIMB OUT OF THE DRIVER DOOR. DRIVER HAS TO CLIMB OUT OF WINDOW AND USE MANUAL KEY TO OPEN DOOR. MANY POST ONLINE OF THIS PROBLEM. I WILL HAVE IT FIXED, HOWEVER, THE COSTS ARE VERY HIGH; THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD! IF CAR IS WRECKED OR ON FIRE, RESCUE WOULD NOT LIKELY BE ABLE TO HELP DRIVER OR PASSENGER TIMELY. RECALL IS NEEDED! *TR