2008 BMW 3 Series electrical system problems
19 complaints about electrical system have been filed for the 2008 BMW 3 Series, which is 20% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 19 20% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 61,000 miles 14 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 4
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When electrical system problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 6 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 0 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 14 electrical system complaints that report mileage, the median is about 61,000 miles, and 50% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 4 fires, 1 injury.
What owners wrote
Car was parked in the driveway, drove it earlier that day for about an hour, parked it 3pm and 2 hours later neighbor came knocking saying car was smoking. Ran outside and car was on fire. Interior was smoked out. Keyless entry was dead. Broke the window to get the car open, turned the garden hose on to try and stop the car from burning. Called 911 fire dept arrived and had to pry the truck open because it was still sizzling.
The auc sensor under the hood is not well secured. The bracket securing the sensor is broken leaving the sensor loose under the hood. The loose sensor wire rubs against sharp edge of the car body, breaking the outer protective shield of the wire. The exposed wire is a fire hazard.
Other problems reported for the 2008 BMW 3 Series
- Engine 18 complaints