The 2008 BMW 3 Series has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 919,456 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING22V1190002022-03-02917,106 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…
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 recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles…
SEAT BELTS09V2570002009-07-082,350 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…
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
19
4fires1injuries
ENGINE
13
AIR BAGS
10
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
4
TIRES
4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
3
WHEELS
3
Total complaints93
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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 wires on the inside of my headlights are cracked, and have a lot of bare copper showing. The plastic sheathing (cable jacket) has become brittle from the heat, and is falling apart, exposing the conductor. This is creating the risk of an electrical fire or damage to the electrical system. The…”
“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…”
“Manufacturer has not remedy the safety recalls in a timely manner as it's been almost a year since the recalls and there are still no parts/fixes available. There are 2 recalls from oct 2017 and as of today aug 2018 there are no parts available to fix the issues: positive crankcase ventilation…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2008 BMW 3 Series as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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