2008 BMW M3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other M3 years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 28 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 82 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 BMW M3. That is the most of any M3 model year in the database (28 years). The most reported problem area is power train (37 complaints, 45%), typically at around 6,400 miles. Complaints mention 4 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 82owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 4complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2008 BMW M3 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 37 | 45% | 6,400 | — | — |
| Engine | 20 | 24% | 82,550 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 9 | 11% | 61,600 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 9 | 11% | 56,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 5% | 3,250 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | 4% | 80,100 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 4% | 80,100 | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 2% | 58,200 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 2% | 75,350 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 2% | 45,800 | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1% | 7,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 1% | 5,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1% | 44,440 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1% | 16,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 1% | 1,200 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2008 BMW M3 recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers; electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.
Risk: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18V-314.
Electrical system:wiring
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.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with 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's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Power train:clutch assembly
Problem: Bmw is recalling 2,500 my 2008-2009 m3 passenger vehicles with an optional double clutch transmission. The problem involves the double clutch gearbox. In a situation of rapid vehicle deceleration, the transmission software may perform a multistage downshift.
Risk: In that situation, at low vehicle speeds, it is possible for the engine to stall increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the engine and transmission electronic control unit with updated software free of charge. The recall began on december 3, 2008. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
During a regular fuel stop at a gas station, I noticed the central lock button nor the physical door hinge fail to operate to open the door for me to exit. The fuse for the central power door lock/unlock button blew out, completely disabling the interior door hinge mechanism. I got trapped inside…
Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor error displayed in vehicle information center. Warning restraint/Air Bag not functioning properly. This was taken to the BMW dealership for diagnosis, and it was determined the Passenger Occupancy Sensor has failed and needs to be replaced. There was no recall listed…
Visible gasoline leak from the chassis under the driver side rear passenger area. Stationary inside garage.
While driving at approximately 70mph on the highway, cel came on, car went into limp mode, before losing power altogether while driving. Vehicle would not turn back on. Report of engine damage requiring an entire replacement.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW M3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN REVERSE ON A HILL. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT APPLIED PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE HILL AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT…
Other BMW M3 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 M3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 M3 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 M3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 M3 | 3 | 3 |
| 2018 M3 | 9 | 0 |
| 2017 M3 | 3 | 2 |
| 2016 M3 | 5 | 3 |
| 2015 M3 | 4 | 3 |
| 2014 M3 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 M3 | 13 | 2 |
| 2012 M3 | 6 | 3 |
| 2011 M3 | 31 | 4 |
| 2010 M3 | 15 | 4 |
| 2009 M3 | 45 | 5 |
| 2008 | 82 | 5 |
| 2007 M3 | 0 | 3 |
| 2006 M3 | 14 | 5 |
| 2005 M3 | 12 | 3 |
| 2004 M3 | 31 | 3 |
| 2003 M3 | 54 | 5 |
| 2002 M3 | 40 | 5 |
| 2001 M3 | 14 | 4 |
| 2000 M3 | 0 | 2 |
| 1999 M3 | 11 | 1 |
| 1998 M3 | 14 | 1 |
| 1997 M3 | 19 | 2 |
| 1996 M3 | 1 | 1 |
| 1995 M3 | 12 | 4 |
See all BMW M3 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 M3?
Owners most often report power train, engine, air bags problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 37 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2008 BMW M3?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2008 BMW M3 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other M3 model years, the 2008 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.