2008 BMW 3 Series engine problems
18 complaints about engine have been filed for the 2008 BMW 3 Series, which is 19% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the 2nd most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 18 19% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 68,000 miles 14 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When engine problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 3 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 0 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 14 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 68,000 miles, and 43% were reported before 60,000 miles.
None of the engine complaints mention a crash, fire, injury or death.
What owners wrote
I took the vehicle for the following symptoms: 1.) long(er) crank 2.) engine malfunction, reduced power 3.) service engine soon 4.) heavy, erratic shaking and shuddering 5.) engine sounded like a union pacific train with loud pumping sound 6.) because of 4 + 5, decide to turn-off the engine or sometimes it just stalls before 7.) after reset, the car becomes drivable but symptoms will reoccur.
While the car was travelling at a rate of about 45 MPH, it did something I never experienced before. It started to shake, sputter and lose power while ascending a on a paved city street that had about a 20 degree uphill grade. The vehicle behind me didn't expect my sudden speed change and nearly rear ended me.. The engine icon appeared on the dash and I sputtered all the way home.
Other problems reported for the 2008 BMW 3 Series
- Electrical system 19 complaints