NHTSA vehicle safety data
2008 BMW 3 Series Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2008 BMW 3 Series has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 68 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 BMW 3 Series, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2008 BMW 3 Series owner complaints
Owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 BMW 3 Series, describing incidents dated November 1, 2007 to April 22, 2019.
Most-cited components
- Electrical System 19 complaints
- Engine 18 complaints
- Air Bags 10 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 8 complaints
- Tires 5 complaints
- Unknown or Other 5 complaints
Of the 68 complaints on file, 4 report a fire; across all 68 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11220155 · Filed
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…
ODI #11217626 · Filed
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…
ODI #11161077 · Filed
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
PCV Heater May Short Circuit
NHTSA #22V119000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System — Emission Control — Crankcase (PCV) · NHTSA notice
Reported March 2, 2022 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 917,106 vehicles
Repair completion: 35.82% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified July 22, 2022
Defect description
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Engine Cooling Fan Assemblies/Service Parts
NHTSA #12E029000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Fan · NHTSA notice
Reported August 10, 2012 · Valeo
Potentially affected: 585 vehicles
Repair completion: 33.1% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified August 22, 2012
Defect description
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
FRONT SIDE AIRBAGS & FRONT SAFETY BELT TENSIONERS
NHTSA #09V257000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice
Reported July 8, 2009 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
Potentially affected: 2,350 vehicles
Owners notified September 16, 2009 · Vehicles built May 23, 2008 – July 21, 2008 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Other BMW 3 Series model years
Check your 2008 BMW 3 Series VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 3 Series at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a BMW VIN