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: fuel system
82 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 16, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON AN INCLINE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. THE ENGINE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY AND THEN RESTARTED TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE CONTACT REACHED HER DESTINATION. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER THE FINAL OCCURRENCE. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,400 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,600. UPDATED 05/14/09. *LJ UPDATED 05/14/09.*JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 7, 2009
I OWN A BMW 2008 335 XI AND HAVE HAD THREE FUEL PUMPS AND PISTONS CHANGED ON IT. THE TIME BEFORE TODAY, THE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED AND PISTONS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED BECAUSE GAS WAS BURNING AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE RIGHT TAIL PIPE. TODAY IT WAS TOWED FOR THE FOURTH FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT AND BURNING GAS SMOKE WAS SHOOTING OUT OF THE RIGHT TAIL PIPE WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY. IN EVERY INSTANCE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND WILL STOP IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED IN THE CITY BECAUSE I FREQUENT THE NJ TURNPIKE AND AM FEARFUL IT WILL HAPPEN WHILE ON THE TURNPIKE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND BMW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEY JUST REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS WITH FAULTY FUEL PUMPS. PLEASE HELP ME ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. I AM SCARE THE NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS IT IS GOING TO CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE AND INJURIES (INCLUDING DEATH). *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 7, 2008
AT AROUND 2000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, THE CAR BEGAN HAVING LONG CRANK TIMES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 7, 2008
1. USED REGULAR UNLEADED AS ATLANTA WAS OUT OF PREMIUM 2. DROVE VEHICLE ABOUT 20 MILES 3. ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE, ENGINE WOULD VIOLENT SHAKE THEN DIE, ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR WOULD APPEAR 4. DEALER REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 24, 2008
I HAVE A 2008 BMW 335I CONVERTIBLE. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE FUEL PUMP HAS MALFUNCTIONED COMING OFF OF THE FREEWAY IN LOS ANGELES, RESULTING IN COMPLETE LACK OF POWER. THIS HAS PUT ME AND MY FAMILY'S LIFE IN DANGER. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS OTHER REPORTS OF THIS OCCURRING. PLEASE MAKE BMW ISSUE A RECALL, ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *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
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Aug 25, 2008
1) TRANSMISSION JERKS FORWARD WHEN LETTING FOOT OFF BRAKE INTERMITTENTLY 2) CAR HAS LONG STARTS; I BELIEVE IT TO BE A FUEL MANAGEMENT PROBLEM 3) CAR HAS REDUCED POWER INTERMITTENTLY PROBLEMS OCCURS ABOUT EVERY TWO DAYS; THE TRANSMISSION JERKING FORWARD AND REDUCE POWER IS UNSAFE. IT CAN'T BE FORECASTED DURING EVERYDAY DRIVING. I HAVE IN CONTACT WITH BMW NA AND MY LOCAL SERVICE CENTER FOR REPAIRS. CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 2000 MILES; BMW CLAIMS NO ISSUES WITH THE SYSTEM. FUEL/TRANSMISSION ISSUE MAKES THE CAR HARD TO PREDICT. BMW DEALER RECOMMENDED A DIFFERENT FUELING STATION DUE TO ETHANOL CONTACT; SINCE I STARTED USING THEIR RECOMMENDED GAS STATIONS, THE PROBLEM HAS GOOTEN WORSE. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THE CAR HAS NOT TECHNICALLY FAILED YET. I'VE CREATED AN EXCEL CHART TO TRACK THE ISSUES, EVENTS AND DATE/MILEAGE/STATUS OF CAR CONDITIONS. I WILL KEEP IN CONTACT WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE DEALER WITH THE RE-OCCURING ISSUES. VEHICLE TYPE 2008 BMW 335I COUPE (MODEL WAS NOT LISTED IN DROP-DOWN BAR LATER IN COMPLAINT). *TR