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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

Wheels complaints

3 reports
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24,000 miles · Jan 3, 2013
Wheels

THERE IS A CRACK IN THE RIM WHICH IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS FINE CRACK CAUSES LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRE. THE TIRE ITSELF IS INTACT AND UNDAMAGED AS IS THE RIM. BOTH TIRE AND RIM ARE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND WERE ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF DELIVERY IN DEC. 2008. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR …

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THERE IS A CRACK IN THE RIM WHICH IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS FINE CRACK CAUSES LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRE. THE TIRE ITSELF IS INTACT AND UNDAMAGED AS IS THE RIM. BOTH TIRE AND RIM ARE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND WERE ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF DELIVERY IN DEC. 2008. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR STRUCK ANY OBJECT WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS DEFECT. SINCE THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT CAUSES LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRE, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CRACK IN RIM WAS DIAGNOSED AFTER TWO VISITS BY DISCOUNT TIRE ON CERRILLOS ROAD IN SANTA FE, NM. [XXX] AT BMW N.A. SUGGESTED I CONTACT THE DEALER TO FIND OUT WHO MANUFACTURED THE RIM AND THEN DEAL WITH THE RIM MANUFACTURER. HE SAYS THAT BMW ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR RIMS AND THAT RIMS ARE NOT COVERED BY THE VEHICLE WARRANTY. [XXX]. SAID HE COULD NOT TELL ME WHO MANUFACTURED THE RIM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490933

33,820 miles · Jun 19, 2010
Wheels

UPON MOUNTING NEW TIRES ON MY 2008 BMW 328I CONVERTIBLE (W/ SPORT PKG) AT BIG O TIRES IN DANVILLE, CA, THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED ME THAT BOTH OF MY REAR WHEELS WERE CRACKED, AND THEY COULD NOT MOUNT THE NEW TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION AT BMW OF SAN FRANCISCO, MY SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT IT WAS IN THEIR OPINION THAT…

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UPON MOUNTING NEW TIRES ON MY 2008 BMW 328I CONVERTIBLE (W/ SPORT PKG) AT BIG O TIRES IN DANVILLE, CA, THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED ME THAT BOTH OF MY REAR WHEELS WERE CRACKED, AND THEY COULD NOT MOUNT THE NEW TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION AT BMW OF SAN FRANCISCO, MY SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT IT WAS IN THEIR OPINION THAT AN "IMPACT" FROM A POTHOLE OR OTHER IRREGULAR ROAD SURFACE CAUSED THE CRACKS IN BOTH REAR WHEELS AND THAT WARRANTY COVERAGE IS DENIED. UPON MY OWN INVESTIGATION, I FOUND SEVERAL OTHER BMW CUSTOMERS DESCRIBE A SIMILAR CONCERN ON WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM, AS WELL AS AN INVESTIGATION PERFORMED BY THE BBC IN OCTOBER OF 2009. FOR BBC'S ARTICLE, PLEASE REFER TO HTTP://WWW.BBC.CO.UK/BLOGS/WATCHDOG/2009/10/BMW_ALLOY_WHEELS.HTML . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339148

8,159 miles · Nov 18, 2009
TiresWheels

CONTINENTAL RUN FLAT TIRES NEW WITH NEW 328I BMW SEDAN PURCHASED IN 2008 HAD TREAD WORN DOWN AFTER 8100 MILES, AS NOTICED WHEN VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICING. TIRES WERE REPLACED BY DEALER. RESEARCH ON THE WEB SHOWED A LARGE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS REPORTING SIMILAR PROBLEMS: HTTP://WWW.BMWRUNFLATTIRE.COM; HTTP://FORUMS.A…

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CONTINENTAL RUN FLAT TIRES NEW WITH NEW 328I BMW SEDAN PURCHASED IN 2008 HAD TREAD WORN DOWN AFTER 8100 MILES, AS NOTICED WHEN VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICING. TIRES WERE REPLACED BY DEALER. RESEARCH ON THE WEB SHOWED A LARGE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS REPORTING SIMILAR PROBLEMS: HTTP://WWW.BMWRUNFLATTIRE.COM; HTTP://FORUMS.AUTOMOTIVE.COM/70/6318820/BMW/BMW-RUN-FLAT-TIRES/INDEX.HTML. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292819

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.