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: engine
203 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, May 1, 2013
NOTICED A LOUD RAPID NOISE FROM RIGHT FRONT TIRE AREA WHEN TAKING A LEFT CAR WAS FINE INFACT DAYS BEFORE WAS IN THE DEALER FOR A RECALL BUT DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THAT DAY, WE DID HIT A HARD SPOT FROM GROOVED PAVEMENT TO SMOOTH, OTHER THAN THAT NO INCIDENT OR ACCIDENT TO CAUSE THE SUDDEN NOISE. TOOL CAR TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD FRONT ENGINE MOUNT AND BOLTS WERE SHREDDED. CHARGED ALMOST $700 TO REPLACE AND REALIGN TIRES. WAS TOLD NO WARRANTY COVERS IT AND NO EXPLANATION OF HOW IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. IM SEEING ALOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, HOPING SOMEONE TAKES NOTICE AND OFFERS ASSISTANCE WITH A RECALL . *TR
Engine, Apr 29, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER WAS RESET AND THE SPARK PLUGS AND WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *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
Engine, Feb 19, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 70 MILES AN HOUR WHEN THE ENGINE JUST SUDDENLY STOPPED. WHILE THE CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR. THEN AFTER DRIVING FOR ANOTHER 10 MIN THE ENGINE STOPPED AGAIN THIS TIME I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO PULL OVER AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY. I HAVE TO KEEP TRYING BEFORE IT RESTARTED. I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. FINALLY WITHOUT A CHOICE AFTER AN HOUR I STARTED THE CAR BACK UP AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BACK HOME. *TR
Engine, Feb 16, 2013
I TOOK MY 2008 BMW 328I 51K MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A ROUGH IDLE/VIBRATION PROBLEM WHEN CAR IS STOPPED WITH BRAKE APPLIED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND HAS TWO BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. THESE BROKEN BOLTS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO DROP WHICH CAUSED ADDITION DAMAGE TO ENGINE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND SOLE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR EXPERIENCED ANY HAZARDOUS ROAD CONDITIONS. I GOOGLED "BMW BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT BOLT" AND FOUND DOZENS OF FORUMS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENING TO 2008, 2007 AND OTHER MODEL YEAR. THESE COMPLAINTS WERE FROM 328XI AND I OWNERS AS WELL AS MANY OTHER MODEL NUMBERS AROUND THE 2008 MODEL YEAR. I READ THAT BMW IS THE ONLY AUTO MAKER THAT USES ALUMINUM RATHER THAN STEEL BOLTS AND COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE COMPLAINTS I READ MENTIONED THAT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA DID NOTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I WILL BE CONTACTING THEM ONCE THE REPAIRS ON MY CAR ARE COMPLETE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. *TR
Engine, Feb 13, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS AND SPARK PLUGS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,400.
Engine, Feb 12, 2013
THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE WHILE MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE,. HOWEVER, I ONLY COME TO KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL WHEN THE PROBLEM EXISTED. I WOULD CHECK WITH YOUR SERVICE ADVISER BECAUSE BMW SEEMS TO BE HIDING THIS ISSUE! THIS IS THE 1ST INCIDENT AFTER BRINGING IN MY CAR FOR SIMILAR ISSUE AND 2ND TIME HAPPENING TO MY CAR. DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT ABOUT 15 MILES/HR AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE CAR STARTED SHAKING WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS AND WOULDN'T MOVE FORWARD SMOOTHLY; FELT LIKE A CAR BREAKING DOWN. DRIVE ABOUT 1 BLOCK DOWN (TO THE NEXT LIGHT), THE CAR IS STILL SHAKING AND CAN'T DOESN'T MOVE. THE CAR CONTINUE TO SHAKE VICIOUSLY AS I WAS PARKED AT A RED LIGHT, SO I DECIDED TO TURN AWAY FROM MAIN STREET TO STOP. THE CAR DIDN'T REALLY MOVE, JUST GLIDED. STOPPED THE CAR COMPLETELY AND RESTARTED IT. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, THE CAR WAS BACK TO NORMAL. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Feb 12, 2013
THIS IS THE 1ST INCIDENT. DRIVING LIKE USUAL, UP A HILL AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR THEN LET GO OF GAS AND BRAKE TO LET THE CAR GO DOWN THE HILL ITSELF. SUDDENLY, THE CAR SOUNDED LIKE IT HAS SHIFTED AND AT THE SAME TIME SPEED UP BY ITSELF. THOUGHT I SWITCHED TO MANUAL DRIVE, SO TRY TO SWITCH BACK, BUT NO SWITCHES WAS MAD. TRY TO STEP ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. SO, TRY TO SWITCH FROM AUTO TO MANUAL DRIVE, CAR STILL HAS NO REACTION. STEP ON THE BRAKE FORCEFULLY TO HAVE THE CAR STOP. THANK GOODNESS THIS WAS LATE AT NIGHT SO NO CAR WAS BEHIND OR IN FRONT OF ME. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Feb 12, 2013
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MILES/HR, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN SPEED DRASTICALLY (FELT LIKE SOMEONE DOWN SHIFTED THE CAR) AND STARTED TO SHAKE AND RUMBLE. TRY TO STEP ON THE GAS, BUT THE CAR WON'T RESPOND IN SPEEDING CAR; TRY TO STEP ON THE BREAK, THE CAR WON'T STOP EITHER. COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS. THEN, THE CAR SUDDENLY SHIFTED BACK IT IT'S NORMAL GEAR AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. READ THE TEMPERATURE OF THE ENGINE OIL, THE TEMPERATURE WAS ON "0". THIS IS THE 2ND INCIDENT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 16, 2013
VEHICLE IS NOT ALLOWED RECALL SINCE VIN# DOES NOT APPLY HOWEVER ALL THINGS WRONG WITH VEHICLE ARE EXACTLY WHAT CAN BE FOUND UNDER RECALLS: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 12E029000,09V257000, 09V257000. BMW FAIRFAX AND BMW NORTH AMERICA STATE RECALL CANNOT BE PROCESSED BECAUSE MY VIN DOES NOT APPLY. IT IS BOTHERSOME TO KNOW THAT I AM EXPERIENCING ONLY THESE 3 PROBLEMS THAT SO HAPPEN TO BE THE ONLY ERRORS AND ALL 3 ARE ON THE RECALL LIST FOR MY MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR. PERHAPS IF MORE VEHICLES WITH MY PART NUMBERS COME FORWARD THEN MAYBE BMW CAN OWN UP AND ACTUALLY HELP CURRENT BMW OWNERS WITH THESE MALFUNCTIONS INSTEAD OF FORCING CUSTOMERS TO PAY OUT OF POCKET ON KNOWN BMW RECALLS AND MALFUNCTIONS. THE ERRORS ARE ENGING AND ENGING COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM: FAN, SEAT BELTS: FRONT, AND AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. IF YOU ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH BMW AND THEM NOT BUDGING ON YOUR MALFUNCTIONS THAT HIT THE RECALLS PLEASE STEP FORWARD BECAUSE BMW NEEDS TO CORRECT THEIR MALFUNCTIONS AND NOT LET US PAY OUT OF POCKET ON SOMETHING PUT TOGETHER IMPROPERLY. *TR
Engine, Aug 27, 2012
VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, APPEARS TO BE AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION. TOOK TO BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. UNFORTUNATELY, THE WARRANTY HAS JUST EXPIRED SO I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. IT APPEARS MANY INDIVIDUALS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES WITH THIS PARTICULAR YR, MAKE & MODEL SO UNSURE OF WHY BMW HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THIS ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE LOOKED AT BY THE MANUFACTURER AS FROM MY EXPERIENCE WITH IT OCCURRING ON THE HIGHWAY IT CAN DEFINITELY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 22, 2012
WHEN TRAVELLING ON HARLEM RIVER DRIVE MIDDLE LANE, MY CAR ALL THE SUDDEN DISPLAYED AN ENGINE OVERHEAT LIGHT YELLOW THAT TURNED RED WITHIN 3 SECONDS AND STARTED LOSING POWER (FROM 50-60 MPH TO 1 MPH) WITHIN 5 SECONDS...THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS I DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH WARNING TIME TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER. THE DEALERSHIP IS STATING THAT THIS IS A WATER PUMP FAILURE. I AM AWARE THAT THERE ARE RECALLS ON X5S BUT NOT ON MY CAR. MY FRIEND WHO OWNS THE SAME CAR AND YEAR HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM RESULTING IN THE SAME COST OF REPAIR ($1600). MY VEHICLE ALREADY HAS MANY RECALLS INCLUDING SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS, AND HIGH PRESSURED FUEL PUMPS. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A CAR THAT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY BMW AND JUST OUT OF WARRANTY (LESS THAN 60000 MILES). NOT EVEN 4 YEARS YET. I HAVE OWNED MANY BMWS AND OTHER CARS AND NEVER HAD A WATER PUMP FAILURE THAT CAUSED A DANGER OF THIS MAGNITUDE... I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU WOULD INVESTIGATE THE SITUATION TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO OTHER OWNERS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 30, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FOUR MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 20, 2011
MY 335I 2008 HAS HAD THREE RECALLS ALL RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. WITH 24,000 MILES IT NOW HAS ISSUES WITH STARTING.I RECENTLY HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO MY DEALER,LEFT IT FOR FOUR DAYS, PICKED IT UP WITH "CANNOT DUPLICATE CUSTOMER COMPLAINT". IN LESS THAN A WEEK THE START UP HAS GONE FROM THREE TO FIVE UN,UN,UN,UN,UNS TO CRANK. THE CAR IS ABOUT TO GO OUT OF WARRANTY AND I BELIEVE THAT BMW KNOWS THERE ARE SERIOUS PROBLEMS AND IS REFUSING TO REPAIR UNTIL THEY ARE ABLE TO GET REPAIRS INCOME. I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE CANCELLED MY SPECIAL ORDER WHEN TWO WEEKS BEFORE DELIVERY THEY CALLED AND SAID MY CAR HAD ARRIVED IN US BUT WOULD NOT BE RELEASED DUE TO "ENGINE COMPRESSION PROBLEMS". ALL OTHER ISSUES I HAVE ASKED TO BE REPAIRED ARE NOT WITH DEALER NOTING "CANNOT DUPLICATE CUSTOMER COMPLAINT". AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE CALLED AND EMAILED BMW AND DEALER NO ONE RESPONDED. AND LET'S NOT EVEN GET TO THE TIRES! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 8, 2011
WHILE DRIVING A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD. THE CAR MADE NOISE AFTER THAT DRIVING IT. THE CAR WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND UPON EXAMINATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THE MOUNTING BOLTS ( ALUMINUM ) FOR RIGHT ENGINE SUPPORT ARM BROKE. THEY WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP AS THEY SAID IT WAS A FLAW IN THE ENGINE BOLTS. THE CAR HAD 40,984 MILES.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jul 28, 2011
ON JULY 9, 2011, I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 30 MPH IN THE PROCESS OF EXITING THE PARKWAY, WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED OPERATING! THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS, AND NOTHING WORKED IN THE CAR. I WAS UNABLE TO PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS OR MORE THE STEERING WHEEL. AS THE CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN I KEPT TRYING TO RE-START THE CAR BUT NOTHING WORKED. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, BY USING MY EMERGENCY BRAKE, I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE KEY IN AND OUT AND HIT THE START/STOP AND THE CAR FINALLY STARTED. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO RALLYE BMW TO HAVE IT SERVICED AND ALSO CONTACTED BMW CORPORATE BECAUSE I DID NOT AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR ANYMORE. I WAS REQUESTING EITHER A NEW VEHICLE OR FULL VALUE BACK ON THE CAR. BMW SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND STATED "BMW REVIEWED REMOTELY UNABLE TO REPLICATE STALLING. NO PROBLEM FOUND", AND DECIDED THAT MY CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I COMPLETELY DISAGREE AND FEEL THIS POSSIBLE LIFE THREATENING ISSUE SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 23, 2011
2008 BMW 328I STALLS WHILE DRIVING. ONCE STALLED UNDER POWER AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC - DEALER SAID NO CODE WAS THROWN SO THEY WERE UNABLE TO ADDRESS. THE OTHER STALLS HAVE NOT DURING SLOWDOWN PERIOD, NOT AS CRITICAL BUT THEY COME WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER WHICH IS DANGEROUS! NO ACCIDENT FROM IT YET BUT I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. FIRST OCCURRENCE IN 2010, TWO MORE RECENTLY DEC 2010 & JAN 2011. *LN
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 7, 2010
AFTER STARTING MY BMW IT OCCASIONALLY WILL RUN FINE FOR BETWEEN SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET AND THREE QUARTERS OF A MILE AND THEN BRIEFLY STALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT SEEM TO HAPPEN AFTER IT HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME (ANYWHERE FROM A FEW MINUTES TO A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR). ONE TIME I HAD TO COAST OFF THE ROAD AND RE-START THE CAR. THE OTHER TWO TIMES THE CAR HAS BRIEFLY STALLED (ALL THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON AS IF IT HAS BEEN SHUT OFF WITH THE KEY ON), THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND THEN THE MOTOR CAUGHT AGAIN AND BEGAN RUNNING NORMALLY. MY CAR HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE LAST TIME THEY REPLACED THE #4 SPARK PLUG AND THIS SEEMS TO HAVE FIXED ANOTHER PROBLEM I HAD WITH THE CAR RUNNING WITH LOW POWER FOR A FEW MOMENTS, HOWEVER IT HAS NOT CURED THE STALLING ISSUE. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I THINK THAT IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF SOMEONE WERE PASSING A CAR OR IN HEAVY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I AM HOPING THAT THE DEALER WILL EVENTUALLY BE ABLE TO FIX MY PROBLEM. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 44,000 MILES ON MY CAR SO I HAVE ABOUT 8,000 MILES LEFT IN WARRANTY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Oct 12, 2010
I PURCHASED A 2008 BMW 335I. SINCE 2008 IT HAS BEEN SERVICED AT LEAST TWICE FOR ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN REPLACING HPFP. IN AUGUST 2010, THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT ALONG WITH A SLOW AND RATTLING START, ODORS OF GAS, AND SHAKY ROUGH RIDE -SINCE THEN, MY 335I HAS BEEN SERVICED SIX TIMES WITHOUT AVAIL. BMW NA RECALL AND BMW FAIRFAX, VA MECHANICS REPLACED THE FUEL MODULE AFTER THE SEVENTH SERVICE APPOINTMENT SINCE AUG 10. THE CAR EXPECTEDLY LOOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 29, 2010
I HAVE A 2008 BMW 335I AND THE CAR HAS LOST POWER ON FOUR OCCASIONS, WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE DEALER WAS NOT RESPONSIVE TO MY COMPLAINTS EVEN AFTER IT SPENT OVER A MONTH AT THE DEALER IN 2009. THEY KEPT SAYING THE REPAIRED THE CAR, I WOULD DRIVE IT HOME AND THEN THE NEXT DAY WHEN I WENT TO START IT THE CAR WOULD AN ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THE CAR WOULD SHAKE TERRIBLY. THE KEEP TELLING ME IT IS THE FUEL INJECTION AND THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED A NUMBER OF TIMES BUT I AM FEARFUL TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY IN CASE THE ENGINE FAILS AGAIN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 31, 2010
ON JULY 24, 2010, MY 2008 BMW 335I SEDAN EXPERIENCED AN HPFP FAILURE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT HIGHWAY SPEED. MY 335I (DELIVERED JULY 2008) HAS HAD LONG START CRANKS FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR. MY WASHINGTON, DC BMW DEALERSHIP HAS SAID IT CANNOT REPLACE THE HPFP UNTIL IT FAILS OR THROWS AN ELECTRONIC CODE. ON JULY 24, I WAS DRIVING APPROX 500 MILES TO A VACATION. 350 MILES INTO THE TRIP, ON I-87 AT APPROX 65MPH IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC, A CAR CUT INTO MY (MIDDLE) LANE. I MOVED TO THE LEFT LANE AND QUICKLY APPLIED MEDIUM THROTTLE TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC. MY ENGINE STUMBLED SEVERELY AS I CHANGED LANES/ACCELERATED AND THE HALF-POWER ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR BEGAN RUNNING EXTREMELY ROUGHLY, WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND LOST SPEED RAPIDLY, IN THE LEFT LANE OF VERY CROWDED HIGHWAY. THE CAR BEHIND ME NEARLY REAR-ENDED ME. I SHUT OFF ANY ACCESSORIES (AIR CONDITIONING, STEREO, ETC.), PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN APPROX 50-55MPH ON A LONG DOWNHILL AS I MERGED OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE AND WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. AS I PULLED OFF, THE CAR NEARED A STALL, WITH THE ENGINE IDLE JUMPING WILDLY. I TURNED THE CAR OFF. A MINUTE OR TWO AFTER TURNING IT BACK ON, THE HALF-POWER ENGINE ICON CAME ON AGAIN, ALONG WITH A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT, AND THE ENGINE AGAIN HAD ALMOST NO POWER TO ACCELERATE AND RAN ROUGHLY. THE HPFP AND LOWER PRESSURE FUEL SENSOR WERE REPLACED BY KEELER BMW, LATHAM, NY, ON JULY 29, 2010. MY CAR HAD RECEIVED THE SOFTWARE UPDATE DURING A PAST SERVICE. I'VE KNOWN ABOUT THE HPFP PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS. BECAUSE OF THE LONG CRANKS, I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR MINE TO FAIL AND HOPED IT WOULD NOT BE IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I NOTED A RECENT ARTICLE IN WHICH A BMW SPOKESPERSON SAID THE FAILURES ARE NOT OCCURRING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. GIVEN MY EXPERIENCE, BMW NEEDS TO BE HONEST ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC, AND FEEL FORTUNATE TO HAVE COME OUT WITHOUT GETTING IN AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 28, 2010
WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST SIGNIFICANT POWER AND CAR DISPLAYED AN ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 27, 2010
2008 BMW 335I INFAMOUS FAILING HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP). SYMPTOMS OF A FAILING PUMP ARE LONG CRANKS UPON START UP AND IF IT FAILS DURING DRIVING, IT CAN LEAVE YOU STRANDED. MY HPFP FAILED ONLY ONCE AROUND 22,000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED PROMPTLY BY BMW. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Mar 4, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335XI. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH; PROCEEDING TO A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED A JERKING MOTION. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED IN OPERATION. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE TURBO CHARGER AND BANOS SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE SERVICE WARRANTY. THE DRIVER OBSERVED AFTER THE VEHICLE SERVICE REPAIR; SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE AND OIL WAS LEAKING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 24, 2010
ON THREE OCCASIONS SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW, WHILE DRIVING AND ACCELERATING THE ENGINE CUTS OUT AND RPM'S SUDDENLY DROP. THE DATE REFERENCED BELOW WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE THEN. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN ALL THREE TIMES. THEY CHANGED SOME PARTS, BUT THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. AT ONE TIME, I WAS TRY TO GET THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT, IT WAS SCARY. ANOTHER TIME WAS CHANGING LANES ON A HIGHWAY. THIS SEEMS TO BE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *TR