2008 BMW 3 Series Electrical System
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
MANUFACTURER HAS NOT REMEDY THE SAFETY RECALLS IN A TIMELY MANNER AS IT'S BEEN ALMOST A YEAR SINCE THE RECALLS AND THERE ARE STILL NO PARTS/FIXES AVAILABLE. THERE ARE 2 RECALLS FROM OCT 2017 AND AS OF TODAY AUG 2018 THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO FIX THE ISSUES: POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) VALVE HEATER AND BLOWER MOTOR WIRING. SAFETY RISKS: OVER TIME, IT COULD DETERIORATE AND, IN RARE CASES, COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING. AND CONNECTION BETWEEN THE WIRING AND THIS SYSTEM COULD DETERIORATE AND, IN RARE CASES, COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING.
"BMW RECALL" ON 8/20/18 MONDAY MORNING I DROVE MY 2008 BMW 328I APPROXIMATELY 2.3 MILES AND PARKED THE CAR AT 7:00 AM. AT APPROXIMATELY 7:10 AM I WAS NOTIFIED THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. PETER PAN BMW (2695 S EL CAMINO REAL, SAN MATEO, CA) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BMW OF MACON (LOCATED AT 4785 RIVERSIDE DR, MACON, GA 31210, (866) 980-4231) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
I CONTACTED BMW MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICE AND HAVE BEEN STONEWALLED SINCE. JUST TWO DAYS AGO MY BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY AND GOT HOT UNDER THE GLOVE BOX. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED FOR OVER 1 1/2 TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT HELPED AND I NEED TO CONSULT THE NHTSA FOR HELP. I WANT THIS PROBLEM FIXED AND I WANTED IT YESTERDAY. DUE TO THE FACT THAT BMW HAS NOT PROVIDED A SOLUTION/REMEDY FAST ENOUGH, I HAVE HAD TO TRAVEL WITH NO AIR CONDITIONING IN THE FLORIDA HEAT, WHAT MAKES IT WORSE IS WUEN IT RAINS. THEY REFUSE TO OFFER ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND I HAVE BEEN RUDELY YELLED AT AND DISCOURAGED FROM TRYING TO REACH CORPORATE. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN MY SITUATION AND THE SERIOUSNESS OF MY SITUATION TO NO AVAIL. BMW HAS A LONG HISTORY OF GOOD AND BAD, YET THEY REFUSE TO HELP A CUSTOMER OR TO HELP RELIEVE THE BURDEN OF THE RECALL OR OFFER EXTRA ASSOSTANCE OR SATISFACTION IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE. I WISH TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 BMW 335XI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE DASHBOARD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURIES AS THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY'S TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,889.
VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUST IN A RURAL DRIVEWAY AFTER SITTING FOR HOURS. FIRE STARTED IN THE CENTRAL DASH. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS.
WIRING HARNESS RECALL WARNING WAS 10 MONTHS AGO. DEALERSHIP SAYS NO PART IS IN YET. EVERY NITE I WONDER IF MY CAR WILL CATCH FIRE N MY GARAGE. THEY NEED TO FIX OR GIVE A LOANER OR SOMETHING TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF. THIS IS THE 3RD ATTEMPT TO GET A RESPONSE FROM YOU GUYS WHO AREN'T MUSH BETTER IT WOULD SEEM. GET SOMETHING DONE SOON, PLEASE.
AS WE WERE PULLING ON TO OUR STREET, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE DASH. SMELLED LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE AC MADE SOME WEIRD NOISE AS WELL. WE PROMPTLY STOPPED THE CAR IN OUR DRIVEWAY (ABOUT 100FEET FROM WHEN IT STARTED), STOPPED ENGINE, TOOK OUT KEY. WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED GOING BACK AND FORTH. WINDOWS STARTED GOING UP AND DOWN BY THEMSELVES. WITHIN MINUTES THE ENTIRE CABIN FILLED WITH DARK BLACK/GREY SMOKE. THE CAR THEN SET ABLAZE. 2 LOUD POPS WERE HEARD. THE ENTIRE CABIN CHARRED. THE BACK OF THE ENGINE WAS ALL ABLAZE. FIRE DEPT USED JAWS OF LIFE TO EXTINGUISH CAR. TOTALED. WE DO HAVE VIDEOS OF THE SMOKE STARTING AND ARE AVAILABLE - THEY ARE ON MY WIFE'S PHONE, AS WELL AS LOTS OF PICTURES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO REMEDY THE RECALL WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BMW OF ONTARIO (1350 AUTO CENTER DR, ONTARIO, CA 91761, (909) 906-4000) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. WEST GERMAN BMW IN FORT WASHINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (PLAZA BMW, 11858 OLIVE BLVD, CREVE COEUR, MO 63141, (314) 720-6045) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (BMW OF COLUMBIA IN COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
STRONG SMELL OF BURNING ELECTRIC WIRING WHILE DRIVING. TURN OFF AC. AFTERWARDS AC STOPPED WORKING. UPON INSPECTION, AC BLOWER MOTOR HAD BURNED WIRING TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS BROKEN. HAD TO GET BLOWER MOTOR AND CONNECTOR REPLACED. NO VISIBLE SMOKE OR FLAMES. STRONG SMELL OF PLASTIC/ELECTRONICS BURNING WHEN IT HAPPENED. WIRING DAMAGE PRETTY BAD. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION IN CITY STREET WHEN IT HAPPENED SMELL CONTINUED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES EVEN WITH WINDOWS OPEN.
BMW RECALL CAMPAIGN NOS.17V-683 (PCV VALVE HEATER) AND 17V-676 (BLOWER MOTOR WIRING) WERE ISSUED IN NOVEMBER 2017 AND TO DATE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. WHAT IS THE HOLDUP? LUCKILY, I HAVE NOT YET HAD ANY PROBLEM BUT, AS NOTED IN THE RECALLS, FAILURE OF EITHER OF THESE SYSTEMS COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
IT HAS A ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION BATTERY CABLE . IT SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 BMW 335I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND OCCUPIED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD AND THROUGH THE AIR VENTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND HIS FAMILY WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURIES. THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V600000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER IN OCTOBER OF 2017. THE DEALER (CENTER BMW, 5201 VAN NUYS BLVD, SHERMAN OAKS, CA 91401) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT
BARE WIRE EXPOSED ON BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS.
SCHOMP BMW, 1190 PLUM VALLEY LN, HIGHLANDS RANCH, COLORADO 80129 IS SELLING BMWS AFFECTED BY THE NHTSA BMW US RECALL TO REPAIR THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRING HARNESS. VIN: [XXX], KNOWINGLY STILL UNDER RECALL, WAS SOLD BY THEIR DEALERSHIP IN THE PAST 60 DAYS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. ROADSHOW BMW (405 GERMANTOWN PKWY, CORDOVA, TN) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
RECEIVED LETTER IN NOVEMBER. I AM EXPERIENCING ISSUES LIKELY RELATED TO THE RECALL AS MY HEATER IS NOT WORKING AND I'M HAVING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. EACH TIME I CALL BMW TO HAVE THE RECALL ADDRESSED I AM TOLD THERE ARE NO PARTS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, BUT THAT I CAN COME IN AND PAY $175 FOR AN INSPECTION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER (CENTURY WEST BMW, 4245 LANKERSHIM BLVD, NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA 91602) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
I LOCKED THE CAR DOORS WHILE DRIVING USING THE DASHBOARD SWITCH. UPON ARRIVING AT MY DESTINATION AND PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR WITH THE DASH SWITCH, KEY FOB OR INTERIOR/EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. I HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BY CRAWLING OVER THE CONSOLE BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. HAD AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED PREVENTING EGRESS VIA THE PASSENGER DOOR, I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. THE REPAIR INVOLVED REPLACING A 15 AMP FUSE WITH A 20 AMP FUSE AND HAS OCCURRED WITH SOME BMW CARS. BMW NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE VIA RECALL.
Trend Over Time
Complaints by year
Other Issues
Common problems reported
Quick Summary
The 2008 BMW 3 Series has 80 Electrical System complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.