The 2008 BMW M3 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,622,071 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS20V0170002020-01-1559,965 affected
Defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i,…
Consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.
Consequence
A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18V-314.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning…
Consequence
Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
AIR BAGS16V0710002016-02-05840,000 affected
Defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i,…
Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
POWER TRAIN08V5950002008-11-142,500 affected
Defect
BMW IS RECALLING 2,500 MY 2008-2009 M3 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH AN OPTIONAL DOUBLE CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM INVOLVES THE DOUBLE CLUTCH GEARBOX. IN A SITUATION OF RAPID VEHICLE DECELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE MAY PERFORM A MULTISTAGE DOWNSHIFT.
Consequence
IN THAT SITUATION, AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Complaints by component
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
28
1crashes
ENGINE
20
1crashes1fires
AIR BAGS
9
1crashes1injuries
POWER TRAIN
8
1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
7
1crashes1fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
4
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
3
1injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3
1crashes1injuries
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
2
SEATS
2
Total complaints102
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“During a regular fuel stop at a gas station, I noticed the central lock button nor the physical door hinge fail to operate to open the door for me to exit. The fuse for the central power door lock/unlock button blew out, completely disabling the interior door hinge mechanism. I got trapped inside…”
“During a regular fuel stop at a gas station, I noticed the central lock button nor the physical door hinge fail to operate to open the door for me to exit. The fuse for the central power door lock/unlock button blew out, completely disabling the interior door hinge mechanism. I got trapped inside…”
“Passenger seat occupancy sensor error displayed in vehicle information center. Warning restraint/air bag not functioning properly. This was taken to the bmw dealership for diagnosis, and it was determined the passenger occupancy sensor has failed and needs to be replaced. There was no recall…”
“Passenger seat occupancy sensor error displayed in vehicle information center. Warning restraint/air bag not functioning properly. This was taken to the bmw dealership for diagnosis, and it was determined the passenger occupancy sensor has failed and needs to be replaced. There was no recall…”
“Visible gasoline leak from the chassis under the driver side rear passenger area. Stationary inside garage.”
“While driving at approximately 70mph on the highway, cel came on, car went into limp mode, before losing power altogether while driving. Vehicle would not turn back on. Report of engine damage requiring an entire replacement.”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw m3. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked in reverse on a hill. The emergency brake was not applied properly and the vehicle rolled down the hill and crashed into another vehicle. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The air bags did not…”
“Nhtsa recall number: 17v676 this recall was issued over a year ago and still have yet to be contacted by bmw to resolve the recall or provide any recourse. What is the typical response time?”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…
InvestigationEA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…
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 M3 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.