2008 Bmw M3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:automatic Transmission (28) · Engine (17) · Power Train (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw M3 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
65 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2020-01-15 · campaign 20V017000 · 59,965 vehicles
Defect: 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
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 2019-06-19 · campaign 19V472000 · 16,641 vehicles
Defect: 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 2017-10-25 · campaign 17V676000 · 702,965 vehicles
Defect: 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 2016-02-05 · campaign 16V071000 · 840,000 vehicles
Defect: 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
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.
Service bulletins (127)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2023-10-13 · B340714 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. cause material-
Equipment:electrical 2022-09-01 · B662419 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.
Electrical System 2022-03-01 · B610322 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the footwell module (frm) cannot be encoded after replacement.
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar 2021-04-01 · B340414 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
diagnosis of compound brake system complaints in m vehicles: 1. visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees f) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2020-10-01 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
discharged battery energy diagnosis must be performed: the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to
Showing the 6 most recent of 127 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-06-25 · Structure:body“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 but thankfully the power was still on and the rear…”
2023-09-05 · Seats“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 for this issue. i found there was a service infor…”
2020-08-20 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 44,440 mi“visible gasoline leak from the chassis under the driver side rear passenger area. stationary inside garage.…”
2019-10-03 · Engine · 65,000 mi“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.…”
2019-09-05 · Electrical System · 90,000 mi · 💥 crash“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 deploy. the contact's vehicle sustained damages to the ho…”
2018-11-02 · Electrical System · 56,000 mi“nhtsa recall number: 17v676 this recall was issued over a year ago and still have yet to be contacted by bmw to resolve the recall or provide any recourse. what is the typical response time?…”
2018-05-29 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood“tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw m3. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 17v676000 (electrical system); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the dealer (basney bmw mazda, 52203 in-933, south bend, in 46637, (5…”
2018-05-16 · Air Bags“takata recall. despite my having received 2 recall notices regarding my airbag, and my car's vin being listed on nhtsa.dot.gov as being subject to an airbag recall, the bmw dealer listed on my recall notice, bmw of mountain view, in mountain view, california, refused to do the recall repair on 5/16/2018 on the basis that their computer system said…”
2018-03-16 · Air Bags · 110,000 mi“passenger restraint error keeps coming up due to fault in seat mats. recalled for other 3 series vehicles, 2008 m3 should be included in recall.…”
2018-02-04 · Engine · 102,000 mi · 🔥 fire“i've been driving bmw for over 12 years. my absolute favorite car to drive. i've had my m3 for a year. my dream car. i took the upmost care of her. coming home from work late monday driving around 65-70 miles per hour. i heard a loud noise from my car and an engine malfunction notification on my car. almost hit an 18 wheeler as my car lost contr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.