The Lemon Index2008 BMW 3 Series.
The 2008 BMW 3 Series is worse than average by owner complaints: 163 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 144, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about fuel system, gasoline, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 20 to 22 mpg combined. The best BMW 3 Series year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 770 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every BMW 3 Series year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 27K to 92K miles on the car (523 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 52K–110K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 52K–100K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 59K–106K miles
Recalls 5
- airbags 2024
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.
- airbags 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- engine 2017
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Show all 5 recalls
- electrical 2017
The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
- electrical 2013
In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems BMW told dealers about
BMW sent dealers 138 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist System Diagnosis Information This Service Information bulletin…
- "repairing transfer case actuator (vtg servo-motor)
- Shudder from the Driveline on Vehicles with xDrive
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3600–4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
High pressure fuel pump (hpfp) failed and the car immediately lost power. According to the dealer the pump failed because it does not react well to sulfur in the gasoline.
2008 BMW 3 Series owner · NHTSA complaint 10280944
More owner reports
2008 BMW 335i threw a engine malfunction and then went to reduced power mode.
NHTSA complaint 10292709
Three fuel pump failures, BMW factory rep looked at car at BMW cleveland, in solon, ohio. One week later car caught on fire while sitting in parking lot at work.
NHTSA complaint 10317467
Quick answers
Is the 2008 BMW 3 Series reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 144; 100 is average, lower is better). The best BMW 3 Series year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2008 BMW 3 Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, gasoline (43%), transmission & drivetrain (28%) and engine (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 BMW 3 Series have?
5 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 BMW 3 Series get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 BMW 3 Series problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 27,800 and 92,900 miles. The middle report was at 58,200 miles, from 523 complaints.
Does the 2008 BMW 3 Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 28% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 BMW 3 Series cost in fuel a year?
About $3600 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 BMW 3 Series have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What BMW 3 Series year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2019 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works