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2008 BMW 3 Series: common problems and reliability
· E90One of the weaker 3 Series years.
691 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2008 3 Series?The 2008 BMW 3 Series has 691 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and air bags. Owners most often flag cooling system failures (water pump, thermostat, expansion tank).
Safety record for the 2008 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2008 BMW 3 Series vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other 3 Series years only. How we score it
Is 2008 a good year for the 3 Series?
Across the 31 3 Series model years we track, complaint volume runs from 10 (2022) to 1,920 (2011). With 691 complaints, the 2008 3 Series sits above the model's median of 279.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2008 3 Series
engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan
Campaign 12E029000This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 09V257000BMW 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.
engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)
Campaign 22V119000BMW 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.
What owners report on the E90 3 Series
Owners of the E90 generation generally regard it as a rewarding driver's car that rewards diligent maintenance, with the naturally aspirated six-cylinder models (325i, 328i, 330i) earning the strongest praise for reliability and the turbocharged 335i drawing enthusiasm for performance but warnings about cost.
- Very frequentCooling system failures (water pump, thermostat, expansion tank)
- Very frequentOil leaks (valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, oil pan gasket)
- RecurrentHigh pressure fuel pump failure on 335i (N54)
- RecurrentTiming chain issues on the 328i around 100k miles
- RecurrentVANOS solenoid and ignition coil failures
Owner insights for the E90 3 Series. Read the full E90 owner report.
Typical used price
Used 3 Series listings typically run $9,995–$26,395.
Other 3 Series model years
Compare every 3 Series year side by side to see how 2008 ranks against the rest.
Compare the 3 Series against its rivals
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