Known Recalls

Model year record

2008 BMW 328I

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 381 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 24V513000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected
394,029
Reported to NHTSA
2024-07-03
Owners notified
2024-08-30

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V017000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected
59,965
Reported to NHTSA
2020-01-15
Owners notified
2020-03-11

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V683000

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
740,561
Reported to NHTSA
2017-10-30
Owners notified
2018-06-18

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Safety risk

An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V676000

Electrical system: wiring

Component
Electrical system: wiring
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected
702,965
Reported to NHTSA
2017-10-25
Owners notified
2018-06-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V044000

Electrical system

Component
Electrical system
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected
516,791
Reported to NHTSA
2013-02-07
Owners notified
2013-03-13

Defect description

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

Safety risk

If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags8573,000 mi
Electrical system7997,000 mi
Engine5597,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling2884,000 mi
Unknown or other1973,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1380,476 mi
Seats1370,000 mi
Seat belts1170,000 mi
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification8104,100 mi
Exterior lighting8100,000 mi
Power train770,000 mi
Steering757,000 mi
Service brakes644,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)512,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)457,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages467,800 mi
Structure: body489,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood3—
Vehicle speed control3103,000 mi
Visibility/wiper340,140 mi
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger268,750 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables273,025 mi
Structure: body: door281,000 mi
Wheels240,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module195,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1127,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Parking brake125,000 mi
Structure196,119 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1—

The 2007 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2009 model has roughly the same number of 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.