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
691 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Jan 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 318I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 8, 2014
2008 BMW 335XI FAILURE OF FUEL INJECTORS *CN THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, IT WOULD COST 2,000 TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTOR, EVEN IF ALL OF THEM WERE NOT MALFUNCTIONING, BECAUSE THE NEWEST GENERATION OF FUEL INJECTORS DEVELOPED FOR THE 2007 AND LATER MODELS WERE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH EARLIER VERSIONS OF THE INJECTORS.. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE LIMP MODE EVENTS AND ENGINE MALFUNCTION MESSAGES ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED; PARTICULARLY WHEN ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY LOSE ENGINE POWER. EACH TIME, HE HAD TO PULL OVER, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES AND THEN RESTART THE VEHICLE. *JB
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 4, 2014
WHEN I STARTED AT THE CAR NOTICED A ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE AFTER A WHILE IT WAS GONE AND IT CAME BACK. ALSO DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY SMELL WAS PRESENT. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE SIX INJECTORS MAY BE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO GET THE PART FROM THE AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE SERVICE ENGINE SENSOR ILLUMINATED. WHILE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE A NOISE, SPUTTERED, AND DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THREE OF THE SIX HIGH PRESSURE CYLINDERS THAT MALFUNCTIONED. AT SOME POINT, THE OTHER THREE CYLINDERS MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,138.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 28, 2014
ON THE AFTERNOON OF NOVEMBER 10TH, WHILE DRIVING, A RED LIGHT WITH A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION MESSAGE LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THEY SAID THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART. THEY WERE UNABLE TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF, WHICH AFFECTED MY ABILITY TO RETRIEVE TIME AND TEMPERATURE ON THE DASHBOARD READER. THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART, WHICH WAS REPLACED ON NOVEMBER 26TH. THE PART IS CALLED SOP BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL (BATTERY CABLE PLUS POLE). I WAS TOLD THAT THE WIRES TESTED AS "BROKEN INTERMITTENTLY." I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THIS BATTERY CABLE WORKS CORRECTLY IT WILL SHUT OFF THE GAS PUMP SO THAT THERE WAS NO DANGER OF FIRE. I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR EVEN WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE SEEMED TO BE ALL RIGHT, BECAUSE IF GAS LEAKED THE WHOLE CAR WOULD BE ON FIRE, NOT JUST THE PASSENGER SIDE. SINCE THERE WAS A RECALL OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, I THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE ALSO RELATED. THE DEALER SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE ON OTHER CARS BUT HE COULD NOT SAY HOW MANY. I AM GRATEFUL THAT THIS COULD BE FIXED BEFORE ANY ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 6, 2014
APRIL 14, 2014 OUR CAR WENT IN FOR SERVICE. MAY 7, 2014 IT WAS RETURNED FOR A 'REDUCED POWER,SERVICE ENGINE SOON'LIGHT. AT THAT TIME, THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AND COVERED UNDER A RECALL. IN JULY THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY. IN LATE AUGUST, THE WARNING LIGHT APPEARED AGAIN. SEPTEMBER 8,2014 THE CAR WENT INTO THE GARAGE. AT THIS TIME WE WERE TOLD IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE TURBO, EST REPAIRS AT $5500.00. AT THIS TIME THE CAR HAD 83985 MILES ON IT(THE TURBO WAS UNDER AN "EXTENDED" WARRANTY UNTIL 82,000). I CONTACTED BMW AND ASK FOR AN EXTENSION ON THE WARRANTY SINCE WE WERE LESS THAN 2,000 MILES OVER. THEY AGREED TO PAY FOR THE PART, BUT NOT THE LABOR WHICH IS 2600.00. WHILE I APPRECIATE THEIR EFFORT, IT IS NOT ENOUGH. THEY OBVIOUSLY ARE AWARE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS PART, SINCE THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY SO I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD COVER THE ENTIRE AMOUNT. YESTERDAY THE SAME WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON. THE CAR IS RUNNING VERY LOUDLY, SHAKING, WITH LITTLE POWER. WE ARE REQUESTING YOUR ADVICE AND/OR ASSISTANCE ABOUT WHAT TO DO NEXT. ONE THING I DIDN'T MENTION WAS APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THIS PRE-OWNED CAR, THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 25,000 MILES ON IT. SO THE CURRENT ENGINE HAS APPROXIMATELY 55000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 5, 2014
WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT MY DRIVER SIGNAL IS NOT WORKING, I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT NOT ONLY THE CONTACT BETWEEN THE LIGHT SOCKET AND ASSEMBLY WAS BURNED AND MELTED, BUT THERE WAS ALSO DAMAGE TO THE ASSEMBLY, SO I NEED TO CHANGE THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, I WAS VERY SHOCKED, BECAUSE MY CAR ONLY HAS 27030 MILES, AND THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WAS SUDDENLY BURNED. I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS AS THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD DID NOT SPECIFY WHICH LIGHT WAS IT FOR. I THOUGHT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE, AND I WAS ONLY NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS BY PASSENGERS CROSSING WHO TOLD ME THEY DO NOT KNOW I WAS TURNING LEFT. I KNOW BMW IS CURRENTLY HANDLING ELECTRICAL RELATED PROBLEM, SUCH AS TAIL LIGHT MALFUNCTIONS AND CAR ON FIRE. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 3, 2014
I AM UNABLE TO OPEN/UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. OTHER DOORS ARE FINE BUT I WOULD BE TRAPPED IN CASE OF FIRE OR ACCIDENT. DOOR DOES UNLOCK THROUGH MANUAL KEY (NOT FOB). *TR
Engine, Nov 1, 2014
MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS BROKE WHILE TURNING OUT OF MY BANK PARKING LOT. CALLED DEALERSHIP. ADVISED NO RECALL NOTED. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD ALSO ENDED. I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. TOOK TO MY PERSONAL MECHANIC AND HE STATED THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT USE ALUMINUM BOLTS FOR MOUNTING THE ENGINE. SERIOUS DEFECT AND A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD . NEED RECALL... *TR
Engine, Oct 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328XI. WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND IDLED ROUGHLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN MAKING SHARP LEFT TURNS, A THUMPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL FOUR MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS WERE FRACTURED OUT OF THE BLOCK AND THAT THE ENGINE SHIFTED SIGNIFICANTLY, WHICH WAS POTENTIALLY CAUSED BY A POTHOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
Air bags, Oct 14, 2014
HI, I AM QUITE FRUSTRATED WITH BMW. THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED WIDESPREAD ISSUES WITH THEIR PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS HAVE MULTIPLE RECALLS OUT, HOWEVER MY CAR AT THIS TIME IS NOT PART OF IT BUT MY PASSENGER AIRBAGS ARE FAULTY. BMW WANTS TO CHARGE ME $150 DIAGNOSIS INSTEAD OF ENSURING THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS. I'M WRITING YOU AS THIS IS VERY SCARY TO ME THAT BMW IS WILLING TO RISK TEH SAFETY OF THE MY PASSENGERS AND NOT TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR
Structure, Oct 9, 2014
WINDSHIELD TRIMMING DETERIORATING / PASSENGER SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE IS MELTING. *TR
Engine, Oct 6, 2014
THREE BOLTS ON ENGINE MOUNT BRACKET SHEARED OFF AND ONE BOLT ON THE SAME ENGINE MOUNT BRACKET WAS MISSING. THE THREE BOLTS THAT SHEARED ARE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ONLY TWO WEEKS AFTER BRINGING IN MY CAR TO THE PETER PAN BMW DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MY CAR INSPECTED. *TR
Engine, Sep 14, 2014
THE ENGINE IS IDLING VERY ROUGHLY AT A FULL STOP WHETHER ITS A TRAFFIC LIGHT, OR JUST STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE RPMS WILL SPIKE TO 750-800 RPMS AND DROP BELOW 5-400 RPMS RANDOMLY CAUSING THE ENTIRE CAR TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, AND STALL AT TIMES.THE INCIDENT SEEMS COMMON WITH MY MODEL CAR THOUGH ONLINE FORUMS AND FRIENDS THAT HAVE THE SAME CAR AND THE 328 WITH N54 ENGINE. MY MAIN ISSUE IS THAT THERE IS NO MALFUNCTION CODE ASSOCIATED WITH IT, AND IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY; SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS COLD, SOMETIMES AT RUNNING TEMP, SOMETIME WITH AC ON, SOMETIMES WITH AC OFF. THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A SPECIFIC VARIABLE CAUSING THE ISSUE, BUT IT IS A MAJOR ISSUE NON THE LESS, THEREFORE BMW DEALERSHIP CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT A FIX FOR MY PROBLEM AND CONTINUOUSLY TURN ME AWAY EVEN THOUGH I HAVE EXTENDED BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. THIS ISSUE HAS BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN OF MINE AND I DON'T WANT IT TO GET WORSE AND CAUSING AN SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER OR AN ACCIDENT. I'VE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2007-2011 3-SERIES FOR LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER/STALLING, BUT I'M NOT SURE IF ITS THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCE FOR MY CAR OR DIFFERENT. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 30, 2014, crash
CAR HAD FUEL PUMP INITIALLY REPLACED WHEN CAR STILL UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. BMW NA WILL TRY TO AVOID THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH. NOTE INJECTORS FOR THE N54 ENGINE ARE ALSO ON A WORLD WIDE RECALL. NOW THE INJECTION PUMP FROM A RECALL IS BEING CALLED EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS OR 120,000. MILES WELL IT HAPPENED, GOT HIT BY A CAR FROM REAR WHEN MY 335I STALLED!!!!!! I WAS EXPERIENCING EXTENDED STARTS, FOLLOWED BY ENGINE STALLING REPEATEDLY FOR 3 ATTEMPTS THEN IT WILL CLEAR OUT. NOW WHEN LIGHT LOAD IS APPLIED THE ENGINE LIGHT WITH THE ENGINE HALF GRADED OUT APPEARS (REDUCED POWER), ENGINE RUNNING VIOLENTLY ROUGH CODES COMES UP ARE P142E & P3090. THEY WANTED ME TO REPLACE MY INJECTORS FIRST BECAUSE THEY SAID I HAVE "OLD INJECTORS" NOTE WHEN HPFP WAS REPLACED THEY REPLACED THE RECALLED INJECTORS BUT THEY CHANGED ONLY 4 ! EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW IT'S A 6 CYLINDER I WANTED TO TELL BMW THAT WHEN THEY BUILT THE ENGINE THEY INSTALLED ALL 6 NEW INJECTORS. THEIR REPLY WAS IT ONLY NEEDED 4 AT THAT TIME, WELL WHAT A OUT NOW YOUR TELLING ME I NEED TO REPLACE ALL 6 BECAUSE THEIR OLD INJECTORS SO THE REPLACEMENT DONE WAS TO MASK THE PROBLEM!!! TO THIS DATE THEY HAVE ISSUES WITH THE CURRENT ENGINE PLATE FORM N54 - N55 EPIC FAILURE. SOME SAY ITS ALSO REPLACEMENT OF JUST A FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR. I'M CHANGING MINE ON MONDAY BOUGHT IT ONLINE FROM A BMW DEALER INSTALLATION IS 2-2.5 HOURS BASIC TOOLS NEEDED AND CARE. *TR
Seats, Aug 29, 2014
MY CAR IS IN PERFECT CONDITION, MINT...I AM A CERTIFIED FRAUD EXAMINER. I WAS ON A ROAD TRIP FROM BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON TO RICHMOND, BC. WHILE DRIVING IN RICHMOND, BC NEAR THE AUTO WEST BMW DEALERSHIP, MY DRIVER'S SEAT BEGAN GOING FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS AS I DROVE. SOMETIMES THE AUTOMATIC BUTTON WOULD WORK AND THE SEAT WOULD STOP. A MINUTE OR TWO GOES BY AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT GOES CRAZY AND PINS ME AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL AND PINS MY KNEES AGAINST THE DASHBOARD. I AM BARELY ABLE TO STEER AND LIFT MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS AND APPLY THE BRAKES. DUE TO MY TRAINING, I DID NOT PANIC...I PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT, AND DID ALL I CAN TO SQUEEZE MYSELF OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE SEAT BUTTON WAS NON RESPONSIVE, SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME. I WAS TWO BLOCKS FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND THEY REGISTERED MY COMPLAINT. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE SEAT BACK, AND DROVE IT TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP IN RICHMOND, AS I PULLED INTO THEIR PARKING LOT, AND SEAT REPEATED ITSELF AGAIN. WAY TO CRAZY...THEY DISABLE THE MOTOR CONTROL UNIT FOR THE SEAT. I AM GETTING IT SERVICED NEXT WEEK AT THE BELLEVUE WASHINGTON BMW DEALERSHIP. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WILL COVER IT...700 BUCKS... *TR
Engine, Aug 17, 2014
THESE VEHICLES SEEM TO HAVE AN EXTREMELY HIGH FAILURE RATE OF THE ELECTRIC COOLANT PUMP. WHEN THE COOLANT PUMP FAILS, IT CREATES A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION AS THERE IS NO TEMPERATURE GAUGE FOR THE COOLANT, YOU JUST GET A YELLOW WARNING LIGHT THAT INDICATES THE CAR IS OVERHEATING AND A WARNING TO DRIVE MODERATELY. UNFORTUNATELY THE SOFTWARE WAITS UNTIL THE CAR IS SO HOT TO GIVE YOU A WARNING THAT LITERALLY SECONDS LATER THE WARNING WILL TURN RED AND TELL YOU TO PULL OVER AT WHICH TIME IT WILL REDUCE ALL ENGINE POWER. WHEN THIS OCCURRED I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE FAST LANE DOING 70-75 MPH, THE WARNING POPPED UP AND BY THE TIME I READ IT ON THE SCREEN, IT HAD TURNED RED AND BASICALLY FELT LIKE I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL IN TRAFFIC. I HAD TO CROSS 3 LANES OF HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER AT ALL, CAR WAS BASICALLY COASTING AND COULD NOT EVEN MAINTAIN SPEED ENOUGH TO PULL OVER, QUITE DANGEROUS WITH CARS SWERVING AND HONKING. IT IS RIDICULOUS HOW EARLY THE PUMP FAILED BUT EVEN WORSE HOW DANGEROUS THE SITUATION IS THAT IT CREATES WHEN IT HAPPENS.
Engine, Aug 9, 2014
I WAS INFORMED THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET WERE LEAKING, WHICH CAUSED A PROBLEM WITH THE ECCENTRIC SHAFT SENSOR. I PAID FOR A NEW VALVETRONIC MOTOR, ECCENTRIC SHAFT SENSOR, VALVE COVER AND GASKETS, AND OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET, AND THE ASSOCIATED REPAIR. FAST FORWARD 3 MONTHS, I GO IN FOR A OIL CHANGE AND AM TOLD THAT AGAIN I HAVE A SIGNIFICANT LEAK FROM THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 3, 2014
HIGH BEAMS NO LONGER CAN BE RELIED UPON TO STAY ON. DASH LIGHT SAYS THEY ARE ON, BUT THEY AREN'T. THEY WILL STAY ON FOR ABOUT 30 TO 40 SECONDS THEN GO TO LOW BEAM ONLY. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jul 28, 2014
I WAS GOING OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AT 30 MPH AND MY ENGINE MOUNT FAILED. ALL FOUR ALUMINUM BOLTS SHEARED OFF AND THE ENGINE DROPPED. THIS DROP SNAPPED MY PASSENGER DRIVE SHAFT (HALF AXLE) IN TWO PIECES. *JS I THINK BMW HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE STRENGTH OF THE ENGINE MOUNT HARDWARE. THE ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS SHOULD BE STRONGER. THE FAILURE MODE IS DANGEROUS. *JS
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 23, 2014
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. I TRIED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH THE FOB, CENTRAL BUTTON ON THE DASH, AND THE METAL KEY STORED INSIDE THE FOB AND NOTHING WILL UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE ONLY WAY TO GET INTO THE CAR IS TO OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR AND REACH OVER TO THE DRIVER SIDE AND PULL THE HANDLE. WITH A CHILD IN THE CAR IN A SAFETY SEAT, MY CONCERN IS THAT ALL OF THE DOORS WILL SUBSEQUENTLY FAIL AND I WILL BE UNABLE TO GET MYSELF AND MY CHILD OUT OF THE CAR. I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS VERY SAME ISSUE FOR THIS YEAR MODEL VEHICLE AND TWO YEARS OLDER - EITHER DRIVER'S DOOR ONLY, PASSENGERS DOORS ONLY, OR ALL OF THE DOORS - AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE THEN IS THROUGH THE SUNROOF. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 23, 2014
"PASS. RESTRAINT PASSENGER" ERROR MASSAGE, APPEARED THE FIRST TIME, I REPLACED THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER, THE ERROR MASSAGE DISAPPEARED, THEN CAME BACK ON ABOUT 5 MONTHS AFTER. I HAVE A CONVERTIBLE MODEL. *TR
Engine, Jul 20, 2014
TOOK CAR TO DEALER TO CHECK WHY I AM LOSING OIL. AS I SUSPECTED, SLIGHT OIL LEAK IS HITTING A HOT ENGINE PART, EVAPORATING, AND NOT SHOWING ON THE GROUND. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Jul 12, 2014
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR GETTING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAME ON STATING " ENGINE TEMPERATURE, ENGINE TEMPERATURE IS HIGH. DRIVE MODERATELY TO COOL THE ENGINE. IF TEMPERATURE INCREASES AGAIN. HAVE THE SYSTEM CHECKED BY YOUR BMW DEALER SHIP." I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS CAR ON 6/9/2014 ON THE 30TH DAY THE CAR HAD THIS ISSUE WITH ME. THE CAR TURNED OFF 4 TIMES WITH ME AS I TRIED TO DRIVE BACK HOME. MY 2008 BMW 335I SERIES WAS PURCHASED WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES ON IT. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS RECALL SO I CAN TAKE IT IN ..BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH AND SEEN THAT ALOT OF BMW CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES BUT YEARS AGO.... I NEED HELP CAUSE WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY LOOK UP THE VIN # AND SAY THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS CAR.... HELP I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO?????? I BEEN BACK AND FORTH WITH CHRYSLER IN CLOVIS CA WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $1500.00.... *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 10, 2014
THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM ON A TON OF BMW VEHICLES THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH BMW'S ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHT TECHNOLOGY. NOT ONLY IS IT A HUGE PROBLEM ON THE CARS, BUT IS A DANGER TO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD AND THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS OF SAID BMW. THE ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS WILL MOVE AS THE CAR MOVES (LEFT/RIGHT AND UP/DOWN). THESE HEADLIGHTS HAVE A MECHANISM IN THEM THAT CONTROL THE MOVEMENT AND IT BREAKS QUITE OFTEN ESPECIALLY ON BUMPY ROADS. BMW DEALERSHIPS WILL SAY "YOU HIT A POT HOLE AND THE LIGHT MECHANISM BROKE. YOU WILL NEED A WHOLE NEW ASSEMBLY AND IT COST $1800". THIS WOULD BE OK IF IT DIDN'T ENDANGER OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD AND THE ACTUAL DRIVER AND PASSENGERS OF SAID CAR. THE HEADLIGHTS WILL JAM TO EITHER THE STRAIGHT UP POSITION. THIS IS JAMMED SO FAR UP THAT IT LIGHTS THE ROOF IN MY GARAGE AND I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING ON THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. THEY ALSO JAM ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT, ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT, AND STRAIGHT DOWN DEPENDING ON WHEN THE MECHANISM FAILS. THIS MEANS THAT DRIVERS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE ROAD CAN BE COMPLETELY BLINDED AND COULD CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT BY LOOKING AWAY FROM THE ROAD. THIS ALSO CAUSES A HUGE ISSUE FOR THE DRIVER OF THE CAR AS YOU CAN'T SEE THE ROAD IN FRONT OF YOU. MY PREVIOUS CAR (INFINITI G35 COUPE) HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE EXCEPT NISSAN HAD THE PROJECTS AIMED TO HIGH FROM THE FACTORY. THIS WAS A HUGE RECALL AND FORCED NISSAN TO REISSUE FUNCTIONING HEADLIGHTS. BMW WILL NOT BUDGE ON THE FACT THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. FROM RESEARCH ONLINE I AM 1 OF THOUSANDS THAT HAVE THIS ISSUE AND BMW HAS NOT RECOGNIZED IT. I AM NOT WILLING TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON A ISSUE THAT IS CLEARLY A ENGINEERING QA ISSUE AND IS ALSO RISKING MY LIFE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND PUTTING ON COMING MOTORIST IN DANGER AS WELL. ANY HELP WITH THIS ISSUE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR