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 and engine cooling
59 reports, newest first. Show all
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
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 24, 2009
WE WERE DRIVING ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE FOR ~100 MILES AND THEN EXITED. AT THE FIRST RED LIGHT THE CAR STALLED AND REFUSED TO RUN NORMALLY. IT SPUTTERED AND STALLED REPEATEDLY. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT A DEALER WAS WITHIN 1 MILE AND WAS ABLE TO EFFECT REPAIR. THE PROBLEM WAS FAILURE OF A PRESSURE PUMP WHICH WE WERE TOLD IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CAR. BMW HAS NOT DESPITE THE FREQUENCY OF THIS PROBLEM PUT OUT A SAFETY RECALL. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE PROBLEM. HAD THE PUMP FAILED A FEW MINUTES EARLIER WE WOULD HAVE STALLED ON THE FL. TURNPIKE WHILE TRAVELING 70 MILES PER HOUR. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REQUIRE BMW RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS PUMP. OUR CAR HAD ONLY 4400 MILES ON IT AT TIME OF FAILURE AND WAS IN FRO SERVICING 3 WEEKS PRIOR. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS CONDITION. WHEN WE CONTACTED THE DEALER ON THE PHONE WHO REPAIRED OUR VEHICLE HE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM ON THE PHONE. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A WELL KNOWN TO BMW AND FREQUENT PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 20, 2008
335I GIVING TROUBLE AND CAUSING SAFETY ISSUES. CAR LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING AND ENGINE GOES INTO CRISIS MODE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 14, 2008
I TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS: 1.) LONG(ER) CRANK 2.) ENGINE MALFUNCTION, REDUCED POWER 3.) SERVICE ENGINE SOON 4.) HEAVY, ERRATIC SHAKING AND SHUDDERING 5.) ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE A UNION PACIFIC TRAIN WITH LOUD PUMPING SOUND 6.) BECAUSE OF 4 + 5, DECIDE TO TURN-OFF THE ENGINE OR SOMETIMES IT JUST STALLS BEFORE 7.) AFTER RESET, THE CAR BECOMES DRIVABLE BUT SYMPTOMS WILL REOCCUR. 8.) ABLE TO RECREATE PROBLEM WHEN I MASH THE GAS AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON AN AUTO FORUM, I SUSPECTED THAT THE CAUSED OF THE PROBLEM WAS A FAILING HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THE CAR FOR 3 DAYS TO RUN SOME TESTS AND CONCLUDED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS THE PROBLEM. SINCE THEY REPLACE THE PART, THE CAR HAS NOT BROKEN DOWN AGAIN. HOWEVER, THEY INTRODUCE ANOTHER PROBLEMS. 1) THE CAR'S EXHAUST NOISE IS MUCH LOUDER NOW 2) THE CAR IS LESS FUEL EFFICIENT, LOWER MILES PER GALLON 3) THE CAR NOW HAS A TURBO LAG WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY NON-EXISTENT. THIS MEANS BMW IS FALSELY ADVERTISING THE 335I TWIN-TURBO HAS ZERO LAG. THIS WAS TRUE BEFORE THEY UPDATED THE CAR'S SOFTWARE BUT IS NOT LONGER TRUE AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME. *TR