BMW 335i Complaints (2008)

201 consumer complaints on file.

#11733910April 26, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
"I am reporting a failed safety remedy by BMW of Macon regarding Recall 13V-044 (Battery Cable Connector). Following the recall service, the vehicle suffered a systemic digital failure and a legal odometer discrepancy of approximately 20,000 miles 73,547 to around 53,000k (The 53k miles was seen on the dash after the service, but the exact number wasn’t documented by me, but was reported to my service advisor at BMW of Macon) Specifically: 1. Module De-Sync: The recall was allegedly performed without proper voltage stabilization, causing a communication failure ('brownout') between the CAS and Instrument Clustermodules. 2. Vehicle Immobilization: The resulting digital handshake failure has triggered a security lockout, rendering the car unable to crank and locking the transmission in Park (No Neutral). 3. Misdiagnosis: The dealership is refusing to reconcile the software corruption they caused, instead attempting to charge for a mechanical starter motor that was fully operational (CAS 1/1) prior to their intervention. This vehicle entered the dealership for a safety recall and was returned in a digitally compromised, legally unmarketable, and non-operational state. I request a federal investigation into the dealership's failure to provide a safe and effective remedy."
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11617068September 29, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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. I put my vehicle in the air and spotted a wet spot of gas on the bottom left side of my fuel tank. To continue my diagnosis process I googled to see if anyone dealt with a similar issue. Seen a decent amount of people confirming the problem. A leak from the D/S fuel sending unit. So I take off my rear seats, and takeoff the fuel sending unit cover. Once the cover was off seen multiple cracks along side top of the unit. No warning lights was present, however did notice MPG was getting worse and worse. the little cracks makes my vehicle a fire hazard. I was able to have the replacement part ordered for about $140.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460407April 11, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The engine and all electrical components including power steering spontaneously cutout while driving, usually while engine isnt being stressed at all, sometimes while idling. If the car is rolling, i have to restart the engine while driving and using manual power to steer. Obviously, this is a huge safety problem. I've just had the alternator and battery replaced, and they test fine. This has happened at least 50 times and I've reduced time driving vehicle until I solve the issue, which has persisted at least 6 months. I asked the BMW dealer about the following recall, and they claim they already performed it years ago after I already owned the car, without my recalling being told it was done. However, the symptoms are back, and BMW refuses to do anything about it at this time: Report Receipt Date: FEB 07, 2013 NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V044000 Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Potential Number of Units Affected: 504,545 All Products Associated with this Recall Details 2 Associated Documents Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC SUMMARY: BMW is recalling 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011. 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. CONSEQUENCE: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash. 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 is expected to begin in March 2013.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11444214December 18, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
I am experiencing a know issue others have complained about related to the high pressure fuel injector failure in my vehicle. There have been previous recalls for this and my vehicle should fall within the recall dates and is showing all of the symptoms of this failure yet is it some how not part of the recall. What is happening is on cold starts or even idle the car is shaking and has a very apparent misfire, I have checked the spark plugs and they indeed have fuel on them. The injectors are causing excessive fuel in the cylinder this leads to a host of problems that are potentially, catastrophic like the engine seizing while driving due to oil dilution from the fuel
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11351274August 25, 2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, I WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE FRONT DOOR OF MY CAR AND EXIT. I COULD NOT UNLOCK IT EITHER MANUALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY. THE UNLOCKING MECHANISM FAILED. I HAD TO ROLL DOWN MY WINDOW AN REACH OUTSIDE TO THE DOOR HANDLE. EVIDENTLY THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT REPAIRED IT BY INSTALLING AN "UPDATED DOOR LATCH ON BOTH FRONT DOORS." I AM GRATETFULL THAT I DID NOT HAVE TO GET OUT OF THAT CAR BECAUSE OF AN EMERGENCY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11340293July 20, 2020
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC MY FUEL INJECTORS HAVE GONE BAD AND I BELIEVE THIS IS FROM A MANUFACTURER'S ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AS I KNOW VARIOUS PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME ENGINE, YEAR AND MAKE. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AFTER I TURNED IT ON TO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING A BIT MORE THAN NORMAL, WHEN I ACCELERATED THE CAR WAS VERY VAGUELY RESPONDING TO ME. THIS IS WHY MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO MISFIRE, BECAUSE OF THE FUEL INJECTORS. I WILL KEEP ALL RECEIPTS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE OF THIS ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11339810July 16, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTY EXITING THE CAR. MANUFACTURER'S DEALER HAD TO INSTALL "UPDATED DOOR LATCH ON BOTH FRONT" DOORS. AT THE TIME THE VECHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11327649June 7, 2020
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THIS CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED OUT BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY DUE TO THE FRAME BEING WAPED RADIATOR BUSTED SUSPENSION WARPED ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE BLOWER MOTOR THIS WAS THE 1ST FIRST OF MY 4 BMWS TO LEAVE ME OWING MONEY ON A VEHICLE THAT ISN'T DRIVABLE LOCATION AND ISSUE UNKNOWN
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
1
#11324049May 10, 2020
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
01MAY2020. BROUGHT 2008 BMW 335I TO SOUTH ATLANTA BMW DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE REAR BRAKE PADS (BASED ON INSPECTION REPORT FROM A JAN2020 APPT). IT WAS DETERMINED THAT: 1. OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET: FILTER HOUSING GASKETS & OIL COOLER O-RINGS LEAKING OIL 2. RADIATOR HOSE REPLACEMENT. UPPER COOLANT HOSE TURNING BROWN AND SEEPING. 01MAY2020. RADIATOR HOSE WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH CONDUCTING BRAKE FLUID FLUSH AND MICRO FILTER. SAME DAY AFTER REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE THE CAR STALLS AND SHUTS OFF AND BECOMES UNABLE TO DRIVE. CAR IS TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE FOLLOWING ARE IDENTIFIED: 1. FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT: R&R HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP & LOW PRESSURE SENSOR PER FAULT CODE 29F2 2.TURBOCHARGER - VARIABLE BOOST CONTROL SOLENOID: BOTH VANOS SOLENOIDS & OIL CHANGE PER SIB. DEALERSHIP INFORMS ME THAT THE FUEL PUMP'S WARRANTY HAS BEEN EXTENDED 10 YEARS/120000 MILES DUE TO MANUFACTURING ISSUES WITH THE FUEL PUMP. I HAVE NEVER BEEN MADE AWARE OF ISSUES WITH THE FUEL PUMP OR EXTENDED WARRANTIES FOR REPLACING. I DO THINK I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS ON A MALFUNCTIONING FUEL PUMP THAT WAS POORLY MANUFACTURED. BMW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11311460February 25, 2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE KEY FOBS IN THE 2008 BMWS ARE GLUED AND THE BATTERY SOLDERED INTO PLACE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR OWNERS TO REPLACE THE BATTERIES IN THE KEY FOBS WHEN THE BATTERY DIES. ONCE THE KEY FOB BATTERY DIES, THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE. BMW SHOULD OFFER A REPLACEMENT KEY FOB FOR ALL MODEL YEARS WHERE THE BATTERY IS NOT ABLE TO BE CHANGED BY THE OWNER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11300487January 20, 2020
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS RECALLED AND REPLACED IN 2011 IS PROBLEMATIC AGAIN. WHEN PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL HARDER, THE CAR STUTTERS AND DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE EXTRA POWER REQUESTED BY FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL AND MAKES PUT ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' LIGHT CAME UP AS WELL. I PULLED THE CAR OVER WHEN I COULD, STOPPED AND STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT DISAPPEARED. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE BACK IN 2011 AND RECURRING AGAIN. I SUSPECT THIS HAS BEEN THERE FOR A LONG TIME, BUT AS MY WIFE DOES NOT PUNCH THE GAS AS HARD AS ME, SHE NOTICED THIS ONLY ON FEW OCCASIONS. I NOTICED THIS TWICE IN THE LAST MONTH AND SO, CALLED THE STEALERSHIP AND LOGGING A COMPLAINT HERE. IN 2011, THEY SAID BMW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS AND SO, THIS SHOULD BE COVERED NOW AS WELL, BUT THE STEALERSHIP ABVIOUSLY WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE. HOPE OUR GREAT PRESIDENT TRUMP SHOW GERMANY THEIR PLACE, AND HOPE BMW PAYS FOR THE TERRIBLE ENGINEERING TILL ELON MUSK MAKES THEM GO BANKRUPT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11290225December 19, 2019
AIR BAGS, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE COULD BE THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP NOT SO SURE GOT CODES P3090 CONFIRMED AND P142E PENDING. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN DOING A TURN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO BOG OUT AND ROUGHLY IDLE I IMMEDIATELY TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF TRIED TO START IT ABOUT THREE TIMES IN ONE MINUTE INTERVALS CAR WOULD BOG OUT AND SHUT OFF THREW ME THOSE TWO CODES AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11193066April 1, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NO NOTIFICATION OF RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11183713March 3, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WENT TO REPLACE AN OBVIOUSLY BURNED OUT BRAND NEW XENON HID BALLAST. CONFUSED ABOUT WHY IT BURNED UP(FAILURE RATE OF 1 PER 1,000 QUOTED BY THE MANUFACTURER) I TOOK OFF THE BACK COVER FOR THE HOUSING. TO MY SURPRISE, THE POWER CABLE'S THAT PLUGS INTO THE HID BALLAST INSULATION WAS COMPLETELY GONE. BARE. WIRES. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN EXTREME FIRE AND SAFETY HAZARD. CURIOUS IF MY OTHER HEADLIGHT WIRING WAS THE SAME WAY, I POPPED THE BACK HOUSING OF IT TO INSPECT FOR ANOTHER HAZARD. LORD AND BEHOLD, IT WAS EXACTLY THE SAME WAY. NOT JUST THE POWER SUPPLY INSULATION ON THE WIRES FOR THE BALLAST WAS CHIPPING, ALL OF IT WAS CHIPPING. THE DRL, ANGEL EYE AND TURN MAKER WIRING INSULATION WAS ALL..GONE. SOMEONE HAD RECENTLY DISCOVERED THIS ISSUE BEFOREHAND AS THERE WAS ELECTRICAL TAPE & SOLDER ON SOME OF THE WIRES KEEPING THEM TOGETHER. ---------------------------- THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD! ----------------------------
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11176321February 11, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE OVERHEATED DURING HIGH SPEED DRIVING AND BEGAN RAPIDLY SLOWING FORCING AN EMERGENCY EXIT FROM THE HIGHWAY. FORTUNATELY I WAS NEAR AN EXIT. BMW DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE WATER PUMP BUT PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS PROBABLY BLOWN AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE "IBS" CABLE. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE "NEGATIVE IBS CABLE." THEREFORE, IT APPEARS THAT FAILURE OF THIS CABLE WILL REQUIRE EMERGENCY STOPPING OR EMERGY HANDLING AT ANY SPEED. THE HIGHWAY SPEED I WAS TRAVELING MADE THIS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS. I HAVE THE REPAIR INVOICE SHOWING THE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE NEGATIVE IBS CABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11155939December 4, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 BMW 335I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND OCCUPIED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD AND THROUGH THE AIR VENTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND HIS FAMILY WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURIES. THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11154846November 29, 2018
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 BMW 335I. WHILE WALKING TO THE PARKED VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE DOOR AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MELTED THROUGH THE DASHBOARD AND GLOVE BOX. THE DEALER (HANSEL BMW OF SANTA ROSA, 2925 CORBY AVE, SANTA ROSA, CA 95407) STATED THAT THEY HAD TO WAIT TO HEAR FROM THE MANUFACTURER BEFORE THEY COULD MAKE ANY DECISIONS ON HOW TO HANDLE THE FAILURE. THEY ALSO DIRECTED THE CONTACT NOT TO TOUCH ANYTHING IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE BLOWER MOTOR CATCHING ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V670000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11152913November 20, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED FLOW BMW (2565 PETERS CREEK PKWY, WINSTON SALEM, NC 27127, (888) 896-2985) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE SUPPLY OF PARTS WERE SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE IN THIRTY DAYS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11150048November 8, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BMW OF MACON (LOCATED AT 4785 RIVERSIDE DR, MACON, GA 31210, (866) 980-4231) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11124344September 4, 2018
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335I. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE RPMS FLUCTUATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF TYLER AT (903) 229-4409 (LOCATED AT 2401 W SW LOOP 323, TYLER, TX 75701) AND WAS INFORMED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,051.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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