MYRModel Year Report

2008 BMW 335I

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2008 BMW 335I
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, BMW 335I Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 2006: 0 complaints 2006 2007: 288 complaints 2008: 201 complaints 2008 2009: 84 complaints 2010: 41 complaints 2010 2011: 97 complaints 2012: 22 complaints 2012 2013: 42 complaints 2014: 20 complaints 2014 2015: 10 complaints 2016: 2 complaints 2016 2017: 0 complaints 2017
2008: 201 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20060
2007288
2008201
200984
201041
201197
201222
201342
201420
201510
20162
20170

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 23%

23% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 47 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

1) TRANSMISSION JERKS FORWARD WHEN LETTING FOOT OFF BRAKE INTERMITTENTLY 2) CAR HAS LONG STARTS; I BELIEVE IT TO BE A FUEL MANAGEMENT PROBLEM 3) CAR HAS REDUCED POWER INTERMITTENTLY PROBLEMS OCCURS ABOUT EVERY TWO DAYS; THE TRANSMISSION JERKING...

NHTSA ODI report, 20080825

AIR BAGS 20%

20% of complaints: air bags — 41 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE FACE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120501

CAR: 2008 BMW 335I ISSUE: DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG AND PASSENGER SIDE HEAD/CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN A VERY LOWSPEED CRASH (LESS THAN 5 MPH) MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2008 BMW 335I ON A STREET (HWY 6, HOUSTON, TX) IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC...

NHTSA ODI report, 20110127

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%

17% of complaints: electrical system — 34 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE RECALL WAS ISSUED ON OCTOBER 25, 2017.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180829

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335I. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE LOCATION OF THE SMOKE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171108

9/11/2013 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:25 AM EST MY 2008 BMW 335I SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE FROM WHAT SEEMS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE DASH BOARD AREA.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130913

ENGINE 13%

13% of complaints: engine — 26 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335I. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE LOCATION OF THE SMOKE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171108

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 20 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

CAR HAD FUEL PUMP INITIALLY REPLACED WHEN CAR STILL UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. BMW NA WILL TRY TO AVOID THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH. NOTE INJECTORS FOR THE N54 ENGINE ARE ALSO ON A WORLD WIDE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140830

As of recently I've been smelling a gas smell after driving my vehicle. No matter the distance or time I smelled the odor of gas. I am a certified automotive technician, so I decided to diagnose the problem myself.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240929

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2008 — complaint volume: 201
R 20130313 — electrical system

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

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 a

Campaign 13V044000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180629 — electrical system

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.

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.

Campaign 17V676000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200311 — air bags

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,...

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.

Campaign 20V017000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20240830 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 24V513000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 BMW 335I — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (47 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (41 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (34 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 13V044000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V676000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V017000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V513000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2013 ● 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ● 2011 ● 2009

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2008 BMW 335I reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 BMW 335I is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW 335I?

The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 BMW 335I have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.