2008 BMW 3 Series problems
The 2008 BMW 3 Series has 93 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (20%) concerns electrical system. Next are engine (19%) and air bags (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 93 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 20% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 8
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 55,000 miles 71 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 13 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 7 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 21 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 14 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 7 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 5 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 71 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 55,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 61,000 miles (14 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 8 complaints mention a fire; 3 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2008 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 12 model years of the BMW 3 Series with enough data (40 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
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.
Was driving on highway going 80 and the car just shut down, was unable to steer, left me and my 9 year old stranded for about 30 minutes untill it started back up, everyday everytime I drive it no matter what the speed it shuts down and have to pray that I don't get hit by a car or am able to glide to safety, very unsafe not knowing when the car will shut down on me, took to mechanic there were no codes no check engine light or anything, therefore couldn't be fixed, something is not right with car, car only…