What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2008 BMW M3

No clear pattern

13% of complaints about the 2008 BMW M3 arrived in its first year of service. That is an unusual figure for a 2008 vehicle, but with only 100 complaints on record the sample is too small to call it a pattern — the margin of error covers the range where ordinary vehicles sit. The figures below are reported without a verdict. The most-reported system is power train (39 complaints), typically at 1.6 yr or about 6,400 miles.

Complaints
100
Median age at failure
7.0 yr
Median mileage
34,500 n=80
Crash / fire / tow
11% of reports
Safety recalls
5

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Power train
39 reports · 6,400 mi
1.6 yr
5.1%
Engine
20 reports · 85,000 mi
9.3 yr
10%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

20V017000 2020-01-15
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

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 xDr

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

19V472000 2019-06-19
Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers

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.

A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

17V676000 2017-10-25
Electrical system:wiring

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.

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

16V071000 2016-02-05
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

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 SAV

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.

08V595000 2008-11-14
Power train:clutch assembly

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.

IN THAT SITUATION, AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

In owners’ own words

Power train mileage not reported 1.3 yr in service
I AM EXTREMELY TROUBLED BY ONE PARTICULAR PROBLEM I HAVE NOTICED FROM THE OUTSET: THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LAG OR HESITATION OF AT LEAST 1 SECOND BETWEEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CLUTCH ENGAGING AND GIVING ACCELERATION TO THE WHEELS. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN FROM A STAND-STILL, BUT OCCURS PRIMARILY WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AT VIRTUALLY ALL RANGES OF SPEED, FROM ROLLING STOP (5KM/HR OR LESS) THROUGH STANDARD ROAD SPEEDS OF ANY DEGREE (RESIDENTIAL 30-40KM/HR, CITY ROADS 50-70KM/HR, OR HIGHWAY 90KM/HR+). THE PROBLEM IS ACUTE IN 'D' MODE, BUT OCCURS IN 'S' MODE AS WELL. *TR
Power train 4,500 mi 1.4 yr in service crash / fire / tow
AFTER SLOWING FOR A YIELD SIGN, PRESSED ACCELERATOR AND THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE, FOLLOWED BY SUDDEN ACCELERATION. BUMPED TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME DURING THE SURGE. CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST REARENDED ME WHEN MY CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE. *TR
Power train mileage not reported 1.5 yr in service
I HAVE A 2008 BMW M3 WITH A DCT TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY HAS A LAG WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM ROLLING STOPS AND WHEN MERGING. I BELIEVE THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO LOSS OF POWER AT THE WHEELS, ESP. IN HIGH SPEED SITUATIONS, IE WHEN TRYING TO MERGE ONTO BUSY HIGHWAYS. *TR
Engine 56,103 mi 7.6 yr in service
ENGINE BEGAN SUDDENLY MAKING A VERY LOUD KNOCKING SOUND WITHOUT ANY WARNING, AND I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO SANDY SANSING BMW SERVICE CENTER, WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC CRANK BEARING FAILURE. THE ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED NOW... CAR HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND ALWAYS SERVICED AT BMW DEALERS SINCE IT WAS NEW... A CAR WITH 56K MILES ON IT SHOULD NOT HAVE SUCH AN EXTREME FAILURE IN THIS NATURE... *TR

Other M3 model years

2011200920082003

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