2008 BMW M3

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2008 BMW M3
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:56:59.609Z

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

2008: 82 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1988	2
1989	0
1990	0
1991	0
1992	0
1993	0
1994	0
1995	12
1996	1
1997	19
1998	14
1999	11
2000	0
2001	14
2002	40
2003	54
2004	31
2005	12
2006	14
2007	0
2008	82
2009	45
2010	15
2011	31
2012	6
2013	13
2014	0
2015	4
2016	5
2017	3
2018	8
2021	3
2022	1
2023	1
2025	2

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 34%

34% of complaints: power train — 28 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20090216

ENGINE 24%

24% of complaints: engine — 20 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180204

CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILURE. WELL MAINTAINED AT DEALERSHIP AND CERTIFIED INDY SHOP. CRANKSHAFT WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED BECAUSE LACK OF OIL DUE TO INCORRECT BEARING AND CONNECTING ROD CLEARANCES FROM FACTORY. ENGINE IS UNREPAIRABLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171031

AIR BAGS 11%

11% of complaints: air bags — 9 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor error displayed in vehicle information center. Warning restraint/Air Bag not functioning properly.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230905

POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 8 distinct reports on file.

INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

INCIDENT 1 I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AFTER THE SIGNAL AND ENTERING INTO THE FREEWAY AT 25 MPH, AND DURING THE TURN, THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCLINATION IN THE ROAD LIKE A BUMP AND THE CAR LANDED ON THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL AND IMMEDIATELY THE I LOST...

NHTSA ODI report, 20140918

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190905

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240625

BMW M3 EXPERIENCING SOS FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SOS FAILURE WARNING AND RADIO DID NOT WORK. SHE STATES THAT IT WAS UNINTELLIGIBLE WHEN SHE PRESSED THE SOS BUTTON. DEALER STATED THAT IT WOULD BE OK.

NHTSA ODI report, 20080418

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2008 — complaint volume: 82

R 20081203 — power train

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, T

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Campaign 08V595000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161101 — air bags

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...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 16V071000 — 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 20190814 — electrical system

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V472000 — 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

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture