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2008 BMW 3 Series

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 BMW 3 Series do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 23.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

51 reports with mileage · 17 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

4 reports
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59,500 miles · Jul 22, 2012
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

DRIVER EXITED CAR TO PUMP GAS. PASSENGERS REMAINED IN VEHICLE. GAS DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED AS MAIN DOOR LOCK WAS ENGAGED (THOUGH DRIVERS DOOR WAS UNLOCKED). KEY FOB UNLOCK FUNCTION WOULD NOT WORK TO UNLOCK CAR / GAS CAP. DRIVER PUSHED KEY FOB BUTTONS TO ATTEMPT UNLOCK, DRIVERS DOOR BECAME LOCKED DURING THIS ACTIVITY. NOW NO DOO…

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DRIVER EXITED CAR TO PUMP GAS. PASSENGERS REMAINED IN VEHICLE. GAS DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED AS MAIN DOOR LOCK WAS ENGAGED (THOUGH DRIVERS DOOR WAS UNLOCKED). KEY FOB UNLOCK FUNCTION WOULD NOT WORK TO UNLOCK CAR / GAS CAP. DRIVER PUSHED KEY FOB BUTTONS TO ATTEMPT UNLOCK, DRIVERS DOOR BECAME LOCKED DURING THIS ACTIVITY. NOW NO DOORS COULD BE UNLOCKED. DUE TO FAILURE ALL DOORS EXPERIENCED "2 PULL" DOOR UNLOCK SYSTEM FAILURE, THIS "2 PULL" SYSTEM, THAT IS SUPPOSED TO ENSURE DOORS CAN BE OPENED FROM INSIDE IF LOCK IS ENGAGED APPARENTLY REQUIRE SAME POWER AS GENERAL LOCKING SYSTEM. DRIVER COULD ONLY ENTER CAR BY USING EMERGENCY KEY AND UNLOCKING DRIVER'S DOOR. PASSENGER AND REAR DOORS REMAINED LOCK (AND ARE STILL LOCKED / INOPERABLE DUE TO SYSTEM FAILURE). POWER FAILURE IN DOOR LOCK SYSTEM (OR OTHER ASSOCIATED FAULT) MADE DOOR OPERATION IMPOSSIBLE. ALL DOORS WERE COMPLETELY INOPERABLE FROM THE INSIDE. PASSENGERS COULD NOT EXIT VEHICLE AS DOORS WERE LOCKED AND HANDLES DID NOT WORK. DRIVER COULD NOT ENTER VEHICLE BY KEY FOB UNLOCK FUNCTION. DRIVERS DOOR EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT OPERATION UNTIL SOME KIND OF MANUAL OVERRIDE, OR SOME OTHER SYSTEM CHANGE, MADE DRIVERS DOOR FUNCTIONAL BY "2 PULL" DOOR UNLOCK / OPEN METHOD. IF DRIVER HAD NOT BEEN PRESENT (IE: IN STORE PAYING FOR GAS OR FOR SOME OTHER REASON) PASSENGERS WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED IN CAR. IF ANY PASSENGER HAD BEEN PHYSICALLY DISABLED AND UNABLE TO CRAWL OUT OF CAR VIA DRIVERS DOOR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO WAY FOR PASSENGER TO EXIT CAR !!!!!. DOOR LOCK SYSTEM REMAINS INOPERABLE, PASSENGER AND REAR DOORS STILL LOCKED CLOSED WITH NO WAY TO OPEN THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10466934

20,000 miles · Nov 1, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages

TL*THE 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 UNKNOWN) UND…

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TL*THE 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 UNKNOWN) UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10363520

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

2008 BMW 328I. CONSUMER STATES WHEN POWER IS LOST TO THE DOORS, FOR ANY REASON, THE PASSENGER DOORS REMAIN LOCKED WITH NO WAY TO OPEN THEM FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE *TGW THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPENED FROM THE INSIDE WHEN THE HANDLE WAS PULLED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10329633

11,000 miles · May 4, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328882

Official recalls

2

22V119000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Mar 2, 2022

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.

Consequence & remedy

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 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.

09V257000 · Air Bags:frontal; Seat Belts:front

Jul 8, 2009

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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seat Belts:front

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.

Air Bags:frontal

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.