88 complaints reported

2008 BMW 3 Series Engine

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
88
Crashes
1
Fires
9
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Mar 2022

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328XI. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was notified about the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was still safe to drive despite the parts for the recall not being available. The manufacturer was also notified of the issue and informed him that the vehicle was not safe to drive; he was instructed to leave the vehicle parked until parts for the recall were available. The contact was referred back to the dealer for a loaner vehicle; however, the dealer stated that there were no loaner vehicles available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 328XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Mar 2022
Mar 2022 Fire

The contact owns a 2008 328i. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle was making abnormal sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated he smelled a burning odor and parked the vehicle. The contact looked under the hood and did not see any damage. The contact restarted the vehicle to drive home and heard a loud noise coming from the engine and vehicle started overheating. After arriving home, the contact opened the hood and became aware that the hood insulation was missing, and the PCV hose was leaking oil. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 328I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Apr 2022
Mar 2022

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 328I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Feb 2022
Feb 2022

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328XI. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH on the highway, the engine failed. The contact pulled over to the emergency lane. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove home safely. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure code was not able to be generated and another appointment was made for further testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was also informed that his vehicle could be related to a fuel injection issue. No further information was available. The approximate failure mileage was 147,675.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 328XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Feb 2022
Jan 2022

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 328XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Feb 2022
Nov 2021 Fire

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328I. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the radiator would overheat as the temperature gauge would indicate that the engine was hot. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where it was discovered that plastic parts inside the reservoir including the head gasket had melted and entered the radiator, which caused the failure. The contact also stated that while driving at 35 MPH, a greyish smoke began to emit from both the undercarriage and the engine of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and exited the vehicle with his children as he witnessed flames emitting from underneath the vehicle. A motorist behind him was able to pour a jug of water onto the fire which extinguished the flames. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to his home. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle would not be covered under warranty. The contact had made minor repairs to the vehicle but the vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 328I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jan 2020
Oct 2021 Fire

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact stated that he had parked and turned off the vehicle, but about 20 minutes later he saw smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that as he opened the hood of the vehicle he saw flames of fire and was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. The contact stated that he removed the battery from the vehicle. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to tow the vehicle to their location for diagnosis. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, however, the dealer informed the contact that they could not diagnose the vehicle as the vehicle had caught fire. The dealer referred the contact to NHTSA. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 328I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Sep 2021
Jan 2021 Fire

The contact owned a 2008 BMW 328xi. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, she saw smoke exiting the front passenger side of the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact parked and exited the vehicle safely and called 911. The contact stated 25 seconds after exiting the vehicle, the vehicle exploded and caught on fire. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The contact stated that there was no injury. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 328XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: May 2021
Aug 2020

ENGINE CAMSHAFT(VANOS) ADJUSTMENT UNITS FAILING. BMW NA NEVER SENT OUT A RECALL WHEN KNEW OF IT IN 2018( SEE ATTACHED FEB 2018 SERVICE BULLETIN) . ON 8/27/20, TISHA OF BMW NJ OFFICE CLAIMS DEALER IS RESPONSIBLE BUT SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL OUTSTANDING. I TOOK IT TO DEALER CRITZ OF SAVANNAH, GA ON 8/27 WHO CLAIM THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND THAT BMW ARE NOT BUILT TO LAST 12 YEARS. IT COST AT LEAST $4000 IF NOT MORE TO FIX A RECALL ITEM THAT BMW ISSUED FEB 2018 FOR THIS AND NEVER SENT TO US. IN 2018 , THEY RECALLED THIS CAR FOR OTHER SAFETY ISSUES (SEE ATTACHED) BUT HID THIS MAJOR DEFECT THEY KNEW ABOUT IN 2/2018. I AM ATTACHING A RECALL THAT MY AUTO REPAIR GAVE ME THAT WAS NEVER EVER GIVEN TO ME BY DEALER NOR SENT FROM BMW NA . I NEED YOUR HELP TO HAVE BMW NA EXTEND THE RECALL AND PAY FOR FOR THIS LIFE THREATENING MANUFACTURER DEFECT . THIS WAS HIDDEN FROM THE PUBLIC AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY . I WAS TOLD BY CRITZ YESTERDAY PRIOR TO MY PLANNED TRIP ACROSS THE US ON 9/4 THAT THE ENGINE COULD DROP AT ANY TIME AS THE BOLTS COULD BE LOOSE BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL WITHOUT SPENDING $1,500 WITH NO END IN SIGHT. THIS CAR IS NOT AN OUT OF TOWN CAR ANYMORE ACCORDING TO DAVID OF CRITZ AND WAS NEVER BUILT TO LAST UNTIL 2020. I NOW HAVE NO ASSURANCE THAT I AM DRIVING SAFELY IN THIS CAR AND HAVE TO ADD SEVERAL DAYS TO MY TRIP.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 328I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Aug 2020
May 2020

WHILE DRIVING AND VEHICLE IN MOTION EVEN DURING ACCELERATION, WITH NO WARNINGS VEHICLE JUST STALLS. ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. POWER TO REST OF VEHICLE STILL WORKS FINE AND NOT INTERRUPTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS BUT LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO MUSCLE OFF THE STREET INTO SAFETY AS CAR STILL GLIDED. UNKNOWN TO COMPONENTS CAUSING ISSUE AS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF AFTER BEING ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. HAD VEHICLE SCANNED AND NOTHING COMES UP. ALL RECALLS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED ACCORDING TO BMW WEBSITE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 328I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Apr 2020
Dec 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. IN NOVEMBER OF 2017, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATIONS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ENGINE) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE). AFTER CONTACTING AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 328I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jan 2017
Jun 2018

ABOUT A MONTH AGO, MY 2008 BMW 3 SERIES ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED 45 MPH. I RECEIVED NO WARNING BEFORE THE ENGINE STALLED. IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT I WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER A LANE AND GET OFF THE ROAD BEFORE AN IMPACT FROM OTHER VEHICLES. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE, MULTIPLE TIMES AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I RECEIVE NO WARNING BEFORE IT HAPPENS. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS IN MOTION WHEN IT HAPPENS AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, ON HIGHWAYS, STREETS, ANYWHERE WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT, TURNING AND ANY OTHER MANEUVERS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 3 SERIES, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: May 2018
Jun 2018

ENGINE STOPPING AND STALLING WITH NO WARNING. AND IT KEEPS OCCURING EVERYDAY AND I GET NO WARNING OF THE ENGINE FAILURE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 328I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: May 2018
Jun 2018

POOR FUEL INJECTORS CAUSE BAD EMMISION INJECTORS BECOME FAULTY AND CAUSE LESS FUEL BEING DELIVERED TO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER. IN TURN, CAUSE LEAN BURNING, HIGH NOX EMISSION. BMW SHOULD COVER THE COST TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE, (CHANGED OUT THE FUEL INJECTORS). BECASUE THIS IS A CALIFORNIA LEV, ALL EMMISION COMPONENTS (INJECTORS INCLUDED) SHOULD BE COVERED 10YR/120K MILES THANKS,

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 335I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Feb 2018
May 2018

BLOWER MOTOR WIRING AND PCV RECALL ISSUED NOV. 2017 REMEDY UNAVAILABLE

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 3 SERIES, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jan 2007
May 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); 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. THE DEALER (HILTON HEAD BMW, 1230 FORDING ISLAND RD, BLUFFTON, SC 29910, (843) 815-1501) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 328XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Oct 2017
Apr 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335I. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE RPMS FLUCTUATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF TYLER AT (903) 229-4409 (LOCATED AT 2401 W SW LOOP 323, TYLER, TX 75701) AND WAS INFORMED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,051.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 335I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Dec 2011
Feb 2018 Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 BMW 335XI. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OCCUPIED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS AWAITING A PHONE CALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 165,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 335XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Oct 2016
Jan 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND COOLING). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME AS THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED OVER THREE MONTHS AGO. THE DEALER (THOMPSON BMW, 680 N MAIN ST, DOYLESTOWN, PA 18901, (215) 340-3900) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 328, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jan 2018
Dec 2017 Crash Fire Injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND SPARKS APPEARED. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY EXITING THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS ABLE TO LEAVE THROUGH THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE TWO INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN ON DECEMBER 4, 2017. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 201-571-5876. THE CONTACT LEFT SEVERAL MESSAGES AND DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 325I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Apr 2017
Nov 2017

WATER PUMP FAILURE THE WATER PUMP ON MY CAR HAS NOW FAILED TWICE. IT FAILED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2013 AND I PAID THE DEALER TO REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE. IT HAS NOW FAILED AGAIN. THE CAR HAS 84,000 MILES ON IT. THERE IS NO WAY WATER PUMPS SHOULD FAIL TWICE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 335, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jun 2017
Aug 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LONG BEACH BMW LOCATED AT 1660 E SPRING ST, LONG BEACH, CA 90806 ,PHONE NUMBER (877) 514-7977 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 328I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Aug 2017
Oct 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED AT LEAST TWELVE OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,547.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 328I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jun 2016
Aug 2016

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND THE WATERPUMP I CHANGED TWO TIMES, KEEP OVERHEATING AND ALMOST GETTING IN FIRE FLAMES, I NEED HELP PLEASE CAN SOMEONE HELP ME, IT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO GET TO THIS LEVEL, I SPEND ALL MY MONEY MOST OF THE TIME ON MY CAR. THE WATERPUMP STOP WORKING SMOKE COMES OUT OF ENGINE,BECOME SO HOT THAT BURNED MY FACE TWO TIME,WHEN WATERPUMP WHEN WRONG,HIT MY OIL COOLER,RADIATOR,AND MUCH MORE STUFF ALONE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 335I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Nov 2015
Jul 2016

DEAR SIR/MA'AM, I AM WRITING THIS AFTER AN AWFUL INCIDENT THAT I WENT THROUGH TODAY, I AM SO LUCKY TO BE ALIVE WITH MY FAMILY.I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 BMW 323I WHICH HAS 190,000 KM ON IT ON A HIGHWAY WHEN IT SUDDENLY STARTED VIBRATING AND WENT ONTO ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER TRAILER TRUCK IN FRONT OF US. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FIVE MINUTES OFF THE EXIT. I LIVE IN TORONTO CANADA, THE DEALERSHIP HAS SEEN IT AND THEY SAID I HAVE TWO BROKEN HEADS OF THE BOLTS THAT HOLDS THE MOTOR ENGINE IN PLACE AND I WOULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE IF I DIDN'T COME TO A COMPLETE STOP.I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR SINCE 2007 AND I HAVE ALWAYS LIKED BMW BUT NEVER AFTER THINGS LIKE THIS I WOULD RECOMMEND OR BUY ANYTHING FROM BMW.THERE WAS A RECALL BUT SOMEHOW THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $4000 FROM ME TO FIX IT. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND ALSO I AM FORWARDING A COPY OF THIS EMAIL TO NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. PLEASE GIVE ME A GOOD ANSWER AND MAKE SURE THIS IS FIXED ASAP.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 323I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jul 2016

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2008 BMW 3 Series has 88 Engine complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.