KnownCarProblems2008 BMW 3 Series Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 BMW 3 Series, most often about the electrical (28% of complaints, typically around 61,500 miles). It is 6th of 14 3 Series model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2008 BMW 3 Series problems
Electrical
19 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 61,500 miles.
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…
This is for 2 NHTSA recalls issued 10/25/17 and 10/30/17 NHTSA recall [VIN] and NHTSA recall [VIN]. It is now 3 months later and BMW of north america still has no remedy available! Both recall statements caution that "over time" the part could deteriorate, leading to the car catching on fire. Since the car is 10 years…
Engine
18 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
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…
I experienced a break down when I was driving on a city street. My car was then towed to the local dealer and dealer discovered water pump was bad so it was then replaced under warranty. 3 years later my car broke down again and was towed to local dealer an again the water pump was determined bad and replaced. I…
Air bags
10 complaints · 15%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…
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
8 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 69,500 miles.
This is for 2 NHTSA recalls issued 10/25/17 and 10/30/17 NHTSA recall [VIN] and NHTSA recall [VIN]. It is now 3 months later and BMW of north america still has no remedy available! Both recall statements caution that "over time" the part could deteriorate, leading to the car catching on fire. Since the car is 10 years…
I own a 2008 335i twin turbo BMW 3 Series, while driving I started smelling a fresh gas smell in the back of my car inside and outside, really strong smell so much I have to keep my windows down and it gives me a headache and I feel like my car is going to catch on fire with any given spark and it could, the certified…
Wheels and tires
7 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 29,000 miles. Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems.
Upon mounting new tires on my 2008 BMW 328i convertible (w/ sport pkg) at big o tires in danville, ca, the technicians informed me that both of my rear wheels were cracked, and they could not mount the new tires on the vehicle. Upon inspection at BMW of san francisco, my service advisor told me that it was in their…
There is a crack in the rim which is a manufacturing defect. This fine crack causes loss of air pressure in the tire. The tire itself is intact and undamaged as is the rim. Both tire and rim are original equipment and were on the vehicle at the time of delivery in dec. 2008. The vehicle has never been involved in an…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 7%Car was parked in the driveway, drove it earlier that day for about an hour, parked it 3pm and 2 hours later neighbor came knocking saying car was smoking. Ran outside and car was on fire. Interior was smoked out. Keyless entry was dead. Broke the window to get the car open, turned the garden hose on to try and stop…
Purchased car august 29 2015. On september 15 2015 after fueling and turning on car the brake, ABS, traction control and service engine light appeared. Was unable to accelerate vehicle out of gas station parking lot. Lights went away but intermittently would come on while driving which caused sudden inability to…
Doors and locks
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: doors.
2008 BMW, electronic door locks stuck in locked position, must open driver side door with valet key. Remaining doors stuck in locked position, making it impossible for passengers to leave vehicle in an emergency situation. Related problem is that gas cap (which locks when doors are locked) will also not open.
Tl contact owns a 2008 BMW 320i. The contact stated that the electronic keys failed and passenger side doors would not lock; the driver side door was the only one to unlock. The passengers had to exit from the driver side. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the vehicle was repaired (repairs were…
Body and structure
3 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: body.
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.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 BMW 3 Series recalls
Engine: crankcase (pcv)
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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,
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: front
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2008 BMW 3 Series
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW 3 Series?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (19 complaints, typically around 61,500 miles); engine (18 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles); air bags (10 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2008 BMW 3 Series have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 2, 2022 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the BMW 3 Series?
- It is 6th of 14 3 Series model years by number of complaints, with 68 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.