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2008 BMW 335I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most 335I years

Owner complaints for the 2008 BMW 335I are substantially higher than the model-year median of 31.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

163 reports with mileage · 38 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.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports8 fire reports4 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

35 reports
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69,000 miles · Sep 13, 2013
Electrical SystemFire

9/11/2013 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:25 AM EST MY 2008 BMW 335I SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE FROM WHAT SEEMS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE DASH BOARD AREA. I WAS MAKING MY DAILY COMMUTE TO WORK WHEN THE AC UNIT SHUT OFF AND THEN TURNED BACK ON WITH THICK BLACK SMOKE POURING INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR. NATURALLY I ROLLED THE WINDOWS DOW…

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9/11/2013 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:25 AM EST MY 2008 BMW 335I SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE FROM WHAT SEEMS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE DASH BOARD AREA. I WAS MAKING MY DAILY COMMUTE TO WORK WHEN THE AC UNIT SHUT OFF AND THEN TURNED BACK ON WITH THICK BLACK SMOKE POURING INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR. NATURALLY I ROLLED THE WINDOWS DOWN TO ALLOW THE SMOKE TO CLEAR SO THAT I COULD PULL OVER OUT OF TRAFFIC. THIS MADE MATTERS WORSE, THE SMOKE THICKENED, THE HORN STARTED HONKING AS IF SOMEONE WAS HOLDING THE HORN DOWN, AS I WAS PULLING THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE SMOKE BECAME UNBEARABLE, I WAS FORTUNATE TO ESCAPE THE CAR AS THE FIRE RIPPED INTO THE CABIN CONSUMING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WITHIN JUST MINUTES. THE CAR IS NOW TOTALED AND MY INSURANCE IS INVESTIGATING. MY QUERY IS WHAT IF I HAD OTHER PEOPLE IN MY CAR? WHAT IF MY CAR WAS IN MY GARAGE? WHAT IF I HAD YOUNGER CHILDREN IN THE CAR? JUDGING ON HOW QUICKLY THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT EVEN IN MY VERY ABLE CONDITION REMOVING TWO YOUNG CHILDREN FROM THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE, THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO! SEEING AS BMW'S TARGETED AUDIENCE IS MIDDLE TO UPPER CLASS FAMILIES I WONDER IF THE PUBLIC KNOWS OF THE RISKS? I KNOW I SURE DIDN'T, HOWEVER AFTER REVIEWING THE BLOGS AND POSTS ONLINE I HAVE SEEN COUNTLESS OTHER SCENARIOS UNFOLD ALMOST IDENTICAL TO MINE AND I KNOW I AM NOT ALONE. I AM CURRENTLY DEALING WITH MY INSURANCE AND I AM SURE THEY WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH BMW AS THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER 100,000 MILES AND JUST AT 5 YEARS OF AGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10543454

47,520 miles · Oct 23, 2012
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. THE LIGHTS FLASH ON THE OUTSIDE BUT EVEN WHEN PUSHING THE UNLOCK BUTTON FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR THE DOORS STAY LOCKED. I'M BEING TOLD IT IS A FUSE, BUT LITERALLY NONE OF THE DOORS WILL LOCK OR UNLOCK. THE ONLY WAY I WAS ABLE TO EXIT MY CAR WAS BY CRAWLING OUT OF MY WINDOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10481536

85,216 miles · Mar 13, 2012
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED ON MY CAR, THIS CAUSED THE REMOTE FOB AND ALSO INNER CENTRAL LOCKING BUTTON TO STOP WORKING, THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT OF THE CAR WAS TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVERS WINDOW AND TAKE THE KEY FOB APART TO REVEAL THE METAL KEY INSIDE, THIS COULD THEN BE USED FROM THE OUTSIDE TO OPEN THE DOOR BY PUTTING YOUR A…

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THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED ON MY CAR, THIS CAUSED THE REMOTE FOB AND ALSO INNER CENTRAL LOCKING BUTTON TO STOP WORKING, THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT OF THE CAR WAS TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVERS WINDOW AND TAKE THE KEY FOB APART TO REVEAL THE METAL KEY INSIDE, THIS COULD THEN BE USED FROM THE OUTSIDE TO OPEN THE DOOR BY PUTTING YOUR ARM OUT THE WINDOW HOWEVER ALL OTHER DOORS REMAIN LOCKED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, THE OTHER DOORS DO NOT HAVE A KEYHOLE AND THE INNER DOOR HANDLES WERE DISCONNECTED AND WOULD NOT WORK. MY PASSENGERS THEN HAD TO CRAWL OVER THE FRONT SEATS TO ESCAPE THE CAR THRU THE DRIVERS DOOR AND IN AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK. I THINK THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND FROM SEARCHING ONLINE I SEE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451549

24,500 miles · Sep 19, 2010
Electrical SystemVisibility

SIDE MIRRORS MOVE UP AND DOWN EVEN WHEN NOT SET TO ADJUST WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE. MIRRORS ARE ADJUSTED PRIOR TO DRIVING, YET AT TIMES MOVE THE HIGHEST OR LOWEST POSITION RESULTING IN MIRRORS POINTED TO SKY, OR ROAD PAVEMENT. THIS HAS OCCURRED REPEATEDLY. IN ADDITION TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE MIRRORS, PASSENGER AND/OR DRIVER S…

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SIDE MIRRORS MOVE UP AND DOWN EVEN WHEN NOT SET TO ADJUST WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE. MIRRORS ARE ADJUSTED PRIOR TO DRIVING, YET AT TIMES MOVE THE HIGHEST OR LOWEST POSITION RESULTING IN MIRRORS POINTED TO SKY, OR ROAD PAVEMENT. THIS HAS OCCURRED REPEATEDLY. IN ADDITION TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE MIRRORS, PASSENGER AND/OR DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOWS ROLL DOWN AFTER BEING ROLLED UP. SEVERAL TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP MADE IN WHICH COMPUTER WAS "RESET" WITH NO RESOLUTION TO PROBLEM. MIRROR ISSUE NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENT WHEN TRYING TO AVOID AN OBSTACLE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356305

20,000 miles · Jul 29, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other

ENGINE MALFUNCTION. LOSS OF POWER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10346041

Official recalls

4

24V513000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jul 3, 2024

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air Bags:frontal

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

20V017000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2020

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, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

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.

17V676000 · Electrical System:wiring

Oct 25, 2017

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 system may overheat.

Consequence & remedy

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.

13V044000 · Electrical System; Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables; Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Feb 7, 2013

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Electrical System

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

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.