Model year record

2008 BMW 3 Series

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 93 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V119000

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)

Component: Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected: 917,106
Reported to NHTSA: 2022-03-02
Owners notified: 2022-07-22

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V257000

Seat belts: front

Component: Seat belts: front
Manufacturer: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
Vehicles affected: 2,350
Reported to NHTSA: 2009-07-08
Owners notified: 2009-09-16

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Electrical system	19	59,500 mi
Engine	13	72,000 mi
Air bags	10	67,500 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	5	80,000 mi
Unknown or other	5	140,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	4	1,000 mi
Tires	4	43,780 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	3	15,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	3	20,000 mi
Wheels	3	24,000 mi
Exterior lighting	2	11,500 mi
Power train	2	76,000 mi
Service brakes	2	48,000 mi
Steering	2	48,334 mi
Structure	2	11,500 mi
Vehicle speed control	2	38,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: engine	1	15,500 mi
Equipment	1	3,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	1	—
Parking brake	1	5,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	1	3,200 mi
Seat belts	1	75,000 mi
Seats	1	42,000 mi
Structure: body	1	42,000 mi
Suspension	1	48,334 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems	1	3,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	1	38,913 mi

The 2007 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2009 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.