2008 BMW 335XI Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · 62 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other 335XI years
Far more complaints than other years 1st of 12 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 BMW 335XI. That is the most of any 335XI model year in the database (12 years). The most reported problem area is electrical system (17 complaints, 27%), typically at around 91,195 miles. Complaints mention 6 fires, 1 injury. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2008 BMW 335XI problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System17 · ~91,195 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline17 · ~28,500 mi
Engine13 · ~75,700 mi
Fuel/propulsion System9 · ~122,250 mi
Air Bags4 · ~78,000 mi
Power Train4 · ~22,500 mi
Fuel System, Other3 · ~26,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling2 · ~32,750 mi
Latches/locks/linkages2 · ~34,613 mi
Structure2 · ~102,500 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System1727%91,195——
Fuel System, Gasoline1727%28,500——
Engine1321%75,700——
Fuel/propulsion System915%122,250——
Air Bags46%78,000——
Power Train46%22,500——
Fuel System, Other35%26,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling23%32,750——
Latches/locks/linkages23%34,613——
Structure23%102,500——
Unknown or Other23%50,000——
Exterior Lighting12%60,000——
Service Brakes12%53,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic12%30,000——
Visibility12%65,000——
Wheels12%22,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2010, with 13 complaints
2009: 7200972010: 13132011: 1201112012: 222013: 6201362014: 332015: 2201522016: 882017: 4201742018: 772020: 5202052022: 112023: 1202312024: 112026: 120261

n = 62 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2008 BMW 335XI recalls (3)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleJul 3, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V513000 · 394,029 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleJan 15, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V017000 · 59,965 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Electrical system:wiringOct 25, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V676000 · 702,965 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.

Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The ibs sensor on the negative battery cable failed on me causing the car to die and not start back up. It also caused my new battery to die within a year due to charging information it was sending to the car. And I keep getting codes such as battery exhausted and signal issues from the battery

Electrical System · received Sep 16, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11764599

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 335xi. The contact stated while her son was driving at various speeds, the engine was misfiring and making an abnormal loud knocking sound. No further information was provided. The driver pulled to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic…

Fuel System, Gasoline · received Oct 15, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11619884

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 335xi. The contact stated after parking the vehicle at a parking lot, he noticed smoke exiting the center dashboard. The contact detached the plastic kickboard and saw the fire located in the wires. A bystander had a fire extinguisher available and was able to extinguish…

Electrical System · received Jul 18, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11532997

My car hasn't start up for 2 years now. 1st it started with a dead starter, then alternator, then the radiator and water pump bursted, and as i was standing outside of my car the passenger air bag deploys while the car was off and key out of the ignition. Luckily no one was in my car but now my car…

Electrical System · received Dec 3, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11495879

I write requesting that my vehicle 2008 bmw 335xi vin number [xxx] be tagged/listed as needing the revised sib 13 01 20 -emissions recall campaign 10e-a02 issued by bmw on 01/17/2020. This revised 2020 bmw internal amended recall instructions require replacement of all original fuel injectors. It…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Oct 21, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11365595

Other BMW 335XI years

← 2007 335XI · 2009 335XI →

See all BMW 335XI problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW 335XI?

Owners most often report electrical system, fuel system, gasoline, engine problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 17 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2008 BMW 335XI?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2008 BMW 335XI a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 335XI model years, the 2008 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.