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.
Service brakes, Jul 8, 2014
MY BRAKES FAILED. I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT ON A SIDE STREET. WITH 3 OTHER CARS IN FRONT OF ME, THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I PROCEEDED TO STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL. AS I PICKED UP SPEED, THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME STARTED TO BRAKE AS THERE WERE PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER TRAFFIC. I WENT TO APPLY MY BRAKES AND THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP. I VERED TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID REAR-ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND STARTED TO PUMP MY BRAKE PEDAL. IT STILL WAS NOT SLOWING THE CAR. I NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT HARD AS I TRIED TO PRESS IT DOWN. I APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AS I MOVED OFF THE ROAD AND ONTO THE SHOULDER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THE VACUUM PUMP FAILED. THEY DID CHECK THE BRAKE LINE, BRAKE FLUIDS AND NOTED THERE WERE NO LEAKS. THE VACUUM PUMP JUST FAILED WITH NO WARNING. NO INDICATOR OR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TO WARN ME OF ANY EMERGENCY OR SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS IN A 2008 BMW 328I WITH ONLY 54000 MILES. *JS
Engine, May 20, 2014
MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGH WAY. HORRIFIC EXPERIENCE AS CARS WERE COMING FROM BEHIND WITH FULL HIGHWAY SPEED. FORTUNATELY THE CAR BEHIND WAS ABLE TO CONTROL HIS CAR AND SAVED ACCIDENT. MY CAR IS NOW TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. AWAITING DIAGNOSTICS. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 6, 2014
I WAS DRIVING MY 328I IN THE MORNING ON THE WAY TO WORK, IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, TRAVELING ABOUT 10 MPH (IN A SCHOOL ZONE), WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY CAME ON WITHOUT ME TURNING THEM ON. AT THE SAME TIME, MY ENTIRE DASH BOARD CONTROL SYSTEM PANEL AND THE AREA BETWEEN THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER LIT UP WITH SEVERAL SYSTEM ERROR MESSAGES: 1) CHECK CONTROL MESSAGES: CONTROL SYSTEMS! DRIVE MODERATELY. RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION! TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION! CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION! 2) PASS. RESTRAINT SYSTEM: FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR THE SAFETY BELT. TRANSMISSON MALFUNCTION! 3) TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION: FUNCTIONALITY OR DISPLAY OF GEAR POSITION MAY MALFUNCTION. IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO ENGAGE A GEAR WITHOUT DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION! 4) CRUISE CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION. HAVE THE SYSTEM CHECKED BY YOUR BMW CENTER. CONTROL SYSTEMS! DRIVE MODERATELY. 5) CONTROL SYSTEMS. BRAKING AND DYNAMIC-RESPONSE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. DRIVE MODERATELY. AVOID HARD BRAKING. CONTROL SYSTEMS! DRIVE MODERATELY 6) AREA BETW SPEEDOMETER/TACH IS LIT UP [E.G. BRAKE, ABS, TRANSMISSION AND CRUISE WARNING SYMBOLS]. 7) THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT TURN OFF AS LONG AS THE CAR KEY IS IN THE IGNITION. WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF, THE WIPERS DO NOT STOP UNTIL THE KEY IS REMOVED! THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW. THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO EMAILED BMW USA NORTH AMERICA. MY REQUEST IS THAT YOU INVESTIGATE THESE ISSUES WITH BMW USA NORTH AMERICA. SURELY, THEY HAVE MORE INTELLIGENCE ABOUT THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF THESE TYPES OF PROBLEM AND NEED TO BE TRANSPARENT IN ADVISING CONSUMERS ACCORDINGLY BEFORE THE UNDERLYING CAUSE OF THE DEFECT LEADS TO ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES. *TR
Exterior lighting, Engine, May 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER FRONT TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, May 4, 2014
THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD REPORTED IN THIS COMPLAINT TAKES PLACE WHEN THE PASSENGERS CANNOT EXIT THE CAR BY OPENING THE DOORS, GETTING TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR. IT WILL WORSEN TO A CRITICAL LEVEL WHEN THIS FAILURE HAPPENS WITH PASSENGERS WITH LIMITED MOBILITY INSIDE THE CAR OR IN CASE THERE IS A BABY SITTING IN A CHILD SEAT INSTALLED IN THE REAR SEAT. WHEN THE DESCRIBED FAILURE MODE HAPPENS, ALL PASSENGERS WILL NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SUN ROOF (IF AVAILABLE) OR THROUGH THE WINDOWS. IN CASE OF FIRE THIS COULD BE A LETHAL SAFETY HAZARD FOR ALL PASSENGERS. AND IN CASE OF VOLUMINOUS PERSONS SITTING IN SEATS OTHERS THAN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. HOW THE FAILURE HAPPENED: AFTER DRIVING FOR APROX. 10 MINUTES AND HAVING PARKED, THE DOORS OF THE CAR DID NOT UNLOCK. THEY DID NOT UNLOCK EITHER USING THE FOB, NEITHER THE DOOR HANDLE OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR NOR THE UNLOCK BUTTON IN THE CENTRAL DASHBOARD. THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE WAS THROUGH THE SUN ROOF OR CLIMBING OUT THE WINDOW. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE DRIVER'S DOOR FINALLY UNLOCK AND COULD BE OPENED. ONCE OUTSIDE THE CAR, I COULD LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S DOOR (BUT NOT ANY OTHER DOOR) MANUALLY WITH THE METAL KEY INSIDE THE FOB. THE OTHER PASSENGER HAD TO EXIT THE CAR THROUGH THE DRIVER'S DOOR. I HAVE BEEN TO A BMW DEALERSHIP AND I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO REPAIR IT. THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A BLOWN FUSE DUE TO OVER CURRENT IN ONE OF THE ACTUATORS OF ONE OF THE DOORS. THE EFFECT IS THAT THE PASSENGERS CANNOT COME OUT OF THE CAR AS THERE IS NOT ANY MANUAL MECHANISM TO UNLOCK. THERE IS OTHER COMPLAINTS IN NHTSA ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE (FOR EXAMPLE NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10459121). I RECOMMEND THAT NHTSA CONDUCTS A SAFETY INVESTIGATION ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK ON THIS OR ANY OTHER AFFECTED MODEL. *TR
Air bags, Equipment, Apr 18, 2014
I OWN A 2008 BMW 335I 4 DOOR. THERE IS A MALFUNCTION WITH FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE. IT WAS A RECALL ISSUE THAT BMW NOTIFIED THIS AGENCY OF ON 12/11/13. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN # IS 13V-564. COMPONENTS: AIR BAGS FRONTAL SEAT SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT ACCORDING TO THE RESEARCH DONE, BMW DID NOT INCLUDE MY MODEL YEAR IN THE RECALL. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE IT BUT DID NOT FORMALLY ISSUE THE RECALL ON MY MODEL YEAR. NOW THE BMW SERVICE SHOP WANTS APPROXIMATELY $2800 TO FIX THIS ISSUE THAT IS THEIR FAULT. THEY SHOULD REPAIR THE FAULTY EQUIPMENT AT NO COST TO ME AS THE CONSUMER. THE MFR'S REPORT DATE: 11/8/13. I WOULD LIKE BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TO CORRECT THE FAULTY EQUIPMENT/COMPONENTS AT NO COST TO ME. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT THE SYSTEM WILL FAIL IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, DEACTIVATING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY AND EVEN DEATH. I WAS TOLD THE SENSOR COMMUNICATES THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER FOR THE CAR TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG AT THE CORRECT SPEED AND PRESSURE, IF THE AIRBAG DOES HAPPEN TO WORK, BUT MOST LIKELY WILL NOT DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND THE NHTSA SHOULD ENFORCE BMW TO RECALL ALL MODELS THIS ISSUE IMPACTS. PER THE ARTICLE: "IN 2008, BMW RECALLED 200,000 VEHICLES DUE TO A SIMILAR PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT RECALL THESE VEHICLES AT THAT TIME. BMW SAID IT DID NOT RECALL THE ADDITIONAL 77,000 VEHICLES RECALLED THIS WEEK IN 2008 BECAUSE ?THEY HAD SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER WARRANTY CLAIM RATES.? THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!! *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 18, 2014
- FEBRUARY 18TH, BMW 328XI, ON/PARKED, BEGAN TO SHAKE/ROCK ROUGHLY/POWERED OFF. THE LIFT/CAR ICON CAME ON. CAR WOULD CRANK, NO START. AFTER 10 MINUTES, NO START. AFTER 40 MINUTES, 328XI STARTS. - ON MARCH 2ND, DROVE ABOUT 30 MIN AND CAME TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT. 328XI BEGAN TO SHAKE/ROCK ROUGHLY/POWERED OFF. THE LIFT/CAR ICON CAME ON. CAR WOULD CRANK, NO START. AFTER A NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS, 2 GENTLEMEN STATED THEY WOULD PUSH 328XI TO SIDE IF I CAN GET CAR IN N. AFTER SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS, REGAINED SMALL POWER TO SWITCH TO N AND THEY MOVED ME OVER TO THE SIDE. AFTER 10 MINUTES, 328XI TURNED OVER BUT BMW SERVICE CENTER IN NYC WAS CLOSED. - MARCH 3RD, TOOK 328XI TO EUROPEAN CAR SPECIALIST (ECS) AND EXPLAINED THE ABOVE. 328XI WAS PLACED ON THE COMPUTER AND READING STATED: EXCEED FUEL AMOUNT, BUT FURTHER TEST WERE NEEDED. - MARCH 6TH, 328XI DID SAME TO ECS. CONCLUSION, INOPERABLE FUEL PUMP. ORDERED/INSTALLED/RETURNED ON MARCH 11TH. - MARCH 16TH, 328XI SHOOK/ROCKED ROUGHLY/POWERED. AFTER 30 MINUTES OF FAILED ATTEMPTS TO START, CALLED A TOW TRUCK. TOWED TO ECS. - MARCH 17TH, ECS WITNESSED 328XI WOULD NOT START. PUSHED INTO GARAGE TO DIAGNOSE. DENOTED, DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP/NEED REPLACING. CAR RETURNED ON MARCH 24TH. - MARCH 26TH 328XI BEGAN TO SHAKE/ROCK ROUGHLY/POWERED OFF. ECS NOW SUSPECTS FUEL GAUGE OFF AND GIVING FALSE READING THOUGH 1/4 (57MILES) OF GAS WAS IN CAR. WANTS CAR FILLED UP AND DRIVEN. - MARCH 27TH WHILE ON I-80 (FULL TANK) DOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, 328XI BEGAN TO SHAKE/ROCK/POWERED OFF WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. GOT 328XI OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. AFTER 20 MINUTES OF NOT STARTING, CALLED TOW TRUCK AND STATE POLICE. 328XI STARTED WHEN RELEASED FROM TOW TRUCK AT SHOP. PUT ON COMPUTER: EXCEED FUEL AMOUNT. MORE INVESTIGATION DETERMINED DEFECTIVE FUEL MODULE AND FUEL TANK. - APRIL 11TH, TOOK CARE FROM ECS TO BMW BLOOMFIELD. DIAGNOSIS: EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE. *TR
Air bags, Apr 15, 2014
THE CAR'S AIRBAG FAILURE WARNING LIGHT STARTED GOING OFF WHENEVER SOMEONE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, INDICATING THAT THERE IS NO AIRBAG FUNCTION IN THE CAR. DEALER HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT AND INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. CARS UP UNTIL THE 2007 MODEL YEAR HAVE BEEN RECALLED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT BMW HAS YET TO EXTEND THE RECALL TO THE 2008 MODEL YEAR. IT APPEARS THAT E91 MODELS (MY CAR) HAVE THE SAME SENSOR MAT PART AS THE RECALLED MODELS, BUT BMW HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE ACTUAL PART AND NOT THE "MODEL YEAR". *TT
Air bags, Apr 1, 2014
BMW OCCUPANCY PASSENGER AIRBAG MAT FAILURE SIMILAR TO RECALL ON 2007 335I. *TR
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
Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Mar 26, 2014
I WAS ON I95 NORTH, HEADLIGHT WIPER SYSTEM BLEW-OUT THE HEADLIGHT WASHER DEVICE DURING USE. *TR
Engine, Mar 26, 2014
NOTICED AN UNUSUAL ENGINE VIBRATION. WENT TO MY MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED VEHICLE. POINTED OUT BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS. HIS COMMENT I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OF THESE OVER THE YEARS. THE BOLTS ARE MADE FROM ALUMINUM -- THEY BREAK. SAID HE THIS WAS AN ONGOING AND WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH BMW FROM THAT YEAR AND 2009. SAID BMW WOULD NOT COVER IT. HE ALSO STATED THE CAR HAD NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF DAMAGE, TO UNDERCARRIAGE THAT WOULD SUGGEST ANY DAMAGE. HE SAID IT JUST HAPPENS, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED TO BMW, ALL TO NO AVAIL. INSTEAD OF BEAMERS... THEY SHOULD CALL THIS CAR A BUMMER. IT IS AN VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM, CREATED BY POOR ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING. ALUMINUM BOLTS HOLDING AN ENGINE. *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
Tires, Feb 22, 2014
TIRE SIDEWALL SEPARATION, JUST BELOW THE TIRE BEAD. THE MAKE OF THE TIRE WAS A MICHELIN PILOT SP, PS2, ZP. *TR
Tires, Feb 17, 2014
THIS IS THE THIRD TIRE, ON MY CAR, FROM THIS MANUFACTURER WHERE THE SIDEWALL HAS FAILED. SIDE-WALL SEPARATION. EACH TIRE IS THE SAME MODEL. *TR
Service brakes, Jan 24, 2014
ABS UNIT FAILED, ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON. PER MECH. COMMON PROB, BMW EVEN SELLS REPAIR KIT SO COMMON. VERY EXPENSIVE FIX, I AM SURE PEOPLE DRIVING WITHOUT ABS/TRACTION CONTROL. VERY UNSAFE BMW FROM 2006-2009. *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
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 30, 2013
DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT TENSIONER SYSTEM FAIL LIGHTS CAME ON. WE DROVE HOME AND THE LIGHTS STAYED ON EVER SINCE. TRIED RESETTING THE COMPUTER SYSTEM BUT LIGHTS REMAIN ON. *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
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 4, 2013
AS AN EXAMPLE, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE ONTO A MOVING TRAFFIC SITUATION THE CAR HESITATES/LAGS/DELAYS BEFORE THE ENGINE CATCHES, THEN IT TAKES OFF LIKE A RABBIT WHEN YOU DON'T EXPECT IT. THIS VEHICLE BEHAVIOR HAS CAUSED NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS MORE THAN ONCE WHEN I WAS DRIVING. IT'S NOT A DELAY WHICH DECREASES A TRANSIENT SURGE. IT INCREASES THE TRANSIENT SURGE AS THE CAR DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE FOR A HALF SECOND THEN BOLTS FORWARD WITH AN AWKWARD LURCH AND A SLAM. IT'S MUCH ROUGHER THAN A NORMAL TAKEOFF WOULD BE. IT'S NOT AT ALL SMOOTH. SOME HAVE DESCRIBED IT AS BEING REAR-ENDED. THE HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN NOVEMBER 2010 MANY BMW OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO BMW AS I HAVE. THE ANSWER I GOT AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS FROM BMW WAS, "IT'S NORMAL". *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
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 18, 2013
COMPLETE FAILURE OF ABS PUMP AND STABILITY CONTROL WITH ONLY 29000 MILES. COST TO REPAIR THIS BASIC SAFETY SYSTEM OVER $2900. *TR