Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2008 BMW 3 Series. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗PCV Heater May Short Circuit
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- Consequence
- An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
- Remedy
- This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
FRONT SIDE AIRBAGS & FRONT SAFETY BELT TENSIONERS
- Summary
- BMW IS RECALLING 2,350 MY 2008 1-SERIES AND 3- SERIES PASSENGER CARS. INCORRECT CRIMP CONNECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE SIDE AIR BAG AND BELT TENSIONER WIRING. AS A RESULT SUFFICIENT CONTACT BETWEEN THE CRIMP CONNECTORS AND THE CORRESPONDING PLUG MAY NOT OCCUR WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF THAT CONNECTION.
- Consequence
- IF THAT HAPPENED, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR THE SIDE AIR BAG AND/OR THE SAFETY BELT TENSIONER NOT TO DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
- Remedy
- BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-525-7417.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (68)
68 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 68 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 19 | 27.9% |
| Engine | 13 | 19.1% |
| Air bags | 10 | 14.7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 7.4% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 7.4% |
| Tires | 5 | 7.4% |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 7.4% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 4 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 4.4% |
| Power train | 3 | 4.4% |
How 2008 compares with other 3 Series years
Best and worst 3 Series years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 77 | 0 |
| 2005 | 25 | 0 |
| 2006 | 202 | 3 |
| 2007 | 115 | 1 |
| 2008 | 68 | 2 |
| 2009 | 53 | 1 |
| 2010 | 30 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 | 2 |
| 2012 | 7 | 3 |
| 2013 | 21 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 22 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,750
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 404 g/mi
- EPA class
- Subcompact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 22 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 27 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 27 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 25 / 19 | $4,350 | 468 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2008 3 Series for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2008 BMW 3 Series FAQ
How many recalls does the 2008 BMW 3 Series have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 22V119000 (engine), 09V257000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2008 BMW 3 Series problems?
Owners filed 68 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (19), Engine (13), Air bags (10) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2008 BMW 3 Series get?
EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 19 city, 28 highway and 22 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2008 3 Series compare with other years?
Among the 2004–2013 BMW 3 Series model years at least five years old, the 2011 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2006 the most (202). The 2008 drew 68. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.