2008 BMW 3 SERIES — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
93
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
12
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2008 BMW 3 SERIES
The 2008 BMW 3 SERIES has received a total of 93 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN, SEAT BELTS:FRONT. 12 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (19 complaints), Engine (13 complaints), and Air Bags (10 complaints).
Recalls for the 2008 BMW 3 SERIES
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2008 BMW 3 SERIES, potentially affecting up to 922,391 vehicles.
Recall 22V119000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
| 917,106 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 12E029000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
| 585 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 09V257000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT
| 2,350 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 09V257000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
| 2,350 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2008 BMW 3 SERIES
93 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 BMW 3 SERIES. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 19 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkages | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Power Train | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY GOING 80 AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN, WAS UNABLE TO STEER, LEFT ME AND MY 9 YEAR OLD STRANDED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES UNTILL IT STARTED BACK UP, EVERYDAY EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT NO MATTER WHAT THE SPEED IT SHUTS DOWN AND HAVE TO PRAY THAT I DON'T GET HIT BY A CAR OR AM ABLE TO GLIDE TO SAFETY, VERY UNSAFE NOT KNOWING WHEN THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN ON ME, TOOK TO MECHANIC THERE WERE NO CODES NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING, THEREFORE COULDN'T BE FIXED, SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH CAR, CAR ONLY STARTED DOING THIS FROM APRIL 2019 TO PRESENT,IT DOESN'T MATTER IF I'M ON HIGHWAY, STREET, STOPPED HAS ALWAYS HAPPENED, LIKE I SAID I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.IM GOING TO GET KILLED ONE OF THESE DAYS OR SERIOUSLY INJURED
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY GOING 80 AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN, WAS UNABLE TO STEER, LEFT ME AND MY 9 YEAR OLD STRANDED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES UNTILL IT STARTED BACK UP, EVERYDAY EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT NO MATTER WHAT THE SPEED IT SHUTS DOWN AND HAVE TO PRAY THAT I DON'T GET HIT BY A CAR OR AM ABLE TO GLIDE TO SAFETY, VERY UNSAFE NOT KNOWING WHEN THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN ON ME, TOOK TO MECHANIC THERE WERE NO CODES NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING, THEREFORE COULDN'T BE FIXED, SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH CAR, CAR ONLY STARTED DOING THIS FROM APRIL 2019 TO PRESENT,IT DOESN'T MATTER IF I'M ON HIGHWAY, STREET, STOPPED HAS ALWAYS HAPPENED, LIKE I SAID I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.IM GOING TO GET KILLED ONE OF THESE DAYS OR SERIOUSLY INJURED
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY GOING 80 AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN, WAS UNABLE TO STEER, LEFT ME AND MY 9 YEAR OLD STRANDED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES UNTILL IT STARTED BACK UP, EVERYDAY EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT NO MATTER WHAT THE SPEED IT SHUTS DOWN AND HAVE TO PRAY THAT I DON'T GET HIT BY A CAR OR AM ABLE TO GLIDE TO SAFETY, VERY UNSAFE NOT KNOWING WHEN THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN ON ME, TOOK TO MECHANIC THERE WERE NO CODES NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING, THEREFORE COULDN'T BE FIXED, SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH CAR, CAR ONLY STARTED DOING THIS FROM APRIL 2019 TO PRESENT,IT DOESN'T MATTER IF I'M ON HIGHWAY, STREET, STOPPED HAS ALWAYS HAPPENED, LIKE I SAID I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.IM GOING TO GET KILLED ONE OF THESE DAYS OR SERIOUSLY INJURED
MY 2008 BMW 335XI WITH 42000 MILES WAS STORED IN MY HEATED SHOP. THE CAR STARTED ON FIRE AND DESTROYED THE CONTENTS OF MY SHOP AND THE CAR. BMW SENT AN INSPECTOR TO CHECK THE DAMAGE AND TOOK HUNDREDS OF PICTURES. CLEARLY THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AREA AND CONTINUED TO BURN UNTIL THE FRONT OF THE CAR, WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR WAS DESTROYED. CONTENTS IN MY SHOP WERE DESTROYED AND THE INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING HAD TO BE GUTTED TO THE STUDS. BMW OFFERED NOTHING. DAMAGES TOTALLED MORE THAN $150,000. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM BMW 3 WEEKS AFTER THE FIRE. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT)
I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER TELLING ME TO STAND BY FOR ANOTHER RECALL LETTER TO THEN TELL ME TO HAVE THE CAR FIXED. THE CAR BLOWN UP PARKED OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE IT HAS NOT BEEN USED FOR 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. I HAVE JUST NOW RECENTLY RECIEVED THE SECOND RECALL LETTER MONTHS LATER NO. 17V-676
Safety Rating for the 2008 BMW 3 SERIES
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 BMW 3 SERIES in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 BMW 3 SERIES
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 12 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 BMW 3 SERIES. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
sb23-01TMS — SUSPENSION
This is the companion to SPL Parts, Inc.'s SB 23-01 mailed by private label independent distributor Turner Motorsports.
SIB270212 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BMW: DSC WARNING LIGHT IS ON. THE WARNING LAMPS FOR DSC, ABS AND BRAKE WARNING ILLUMINATED. THERE MAY ALSO BE A WARNING IN THE CONTROL DISPLAY FOR CHASSIS CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE. *JS
SIB-24-03-08 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BMW: COMPLAINT OF A DELAYED ENGAGEMENT AND A HARSH JOLT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE SITUATION OCCURS ONLY DURING THE ENGINE WARM UP PHASE (COLD ENGINE), AND CANNOT BE REPRODUCED IN THE SPORT MODE. EGS SOFTWARE-UNFAVORABLE NIC CALIBRATION. *PE UPDATED 9/28/11. *PE
SIB-24-03-08 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
BMW: COMPLAINT OF A DELAYED ENGAGEMENT AND A HARSH JOLT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE SITUATION OCCURS ONLY DURING THE ENGINE WARM UP PHASE (COLD ENGINE), AND CANNOT BE REPRODUCED IN THE SPORT MODE. EGS SOFTWARE-UNFAVORABLE NIC CALIBRATION. *PE UPDATED 9/28/11. *PE
SIB-72-01-11 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT
BMW: E92. THE SEAT BELT EXTENDER ON THE FRONT DRIVER¿S OR PASSENGER SIDE FAILED TO DELIVER THE BELT. THE SAFETY BELT EXTENDER EXTENDS BUT THE BELT SLIPS OFF. THE ¿HAND¿ ON THE EXTENDER FAILS. THE SAFETY BELT IS TWISTED. THE EXTENDER WILL NOT OPERATE AND MAKES NOISE WHILE EXTENDING. *RM
CN-10E-A02 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
BMW SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP WHICH COULD NOT MEET EMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS. THERE MAY BE A LONG CRANK AND A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. *RM
SI-B-63-06-10 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
BMW: LEDS IN REAR LAMP INOPERATIVE. THE LEDS (LIGHT EMITTING DIODES) IN THE OUTER LEFT OR OUTER RIGHT REAR LAMP ARE INOPERATIVE. AFFECTED ARE THE LEDS FOR THE PARKING LAMP/TAIL LAMP OR THE TURN SIGNALS. NO CHECK CONTROL MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED. CORROSION OF AN INTERNAL CONNECTION WITH THE TAIL LAMP...
SI-B-13-03-09 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
BMW: SPECIAL LIMITED HIGH PRESSURE PUMP (HDP) EMISSIONS WARRANTY OF 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES. A POTENTIAL PROBLEM THAT COULD AFFECT THE DURABILITY OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HDP) OF CERTAIN VEHICLES. MODELS 335I/XI; 535I/XI AND 135IS; MODEL YEARS 2007-2008. *PE UPDATED 4/23/10. *PE UPDATED 11/1/10. *PE UPDATED 11/17/10. *PE
SI-B-13-03-09 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
BMW: SPECIAL LIMITED HIGH PRESSURE PUMP (HDP) EMISSIONS WARRANTY OF 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES. A POTENTIAL PROBLEM THAT COULD AFFECT THE DURABILITY OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HDP) OF CERTAIN VEHICLES. MODELS 335I/XI; 535I/XI AND 135IS; MODEL YEARS 2007-2008. *PE UPDATED 4/23/10. *PE UPDATED 11/1/10. *PE UPDATED 11/17/10. *PE
SI-B18-01-09 — FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
BMW: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL 903-A02: CHECK AND REPLACE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF). NITROGEN OXIDE (OX) LEVELS MAY EXCEED LEGAL LIMITS. FAULTY DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. MODELS 3 SERIES 2008-2009. *PE UPDATED 4/14/10. *PE
Showing 10 of 12 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 BMW 3 SERIES
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW 3 SERIES
- 2003 BMW 3 SERIES — 95 complaints
- 2004 BMW 3 SERIES — 93 complaints
- 2005 BMW 3 SERIES — 29 complaints
- 2006 BMW 3 SERIES — 288 complaints
- 2007 BMW 3 SERIES — 190 complaints
- 2008 BMW 3 SERIES (current)
- 2009 BMW 3 SERIES — 74 complaints
- 2010 BMW 3 SERIES — 43 complaints
- 2011 BMW 3 SERIES — 1 complaint
- 2012 BMW 3 SERIES — 11 complaints
- 2013 BMW 3 SERIES — 34 complaints