YearToAvoid

2008 BMW 335i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2008 BMW 335i has a complaint index of 90 and ranks 2nd worst of 11 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 201 complaints, 4 recalls, 8 fires, and 6 crashes, with Fuel System issues making up 38% of complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
90/100
#2 of 11 335i years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
201
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
6
reported in complaints
Fires
8
Injuries
7
Top issue
Fuel System
Best nearby year
2015
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
17 city / 26 hwy
Injuries / deaths
7 / 1

Top 2008 BMW 335i problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Fuel System76 (38%)
  2. Airbags43 (21%)
  3. Engine41 (20%)
  4. Electrical System40 (20%)
  5. Structure & Body12 (6%)
  6. Brakes10 (5%)
  7. Seat Belts9 (4%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain9 (4%)
  9. Other7 (3%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers6 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Driver's side front airbags reportedly failed to deploy in low-speed crashes, while curtain airbags deployed unexpectedly during minor impacts.
  • Owners describe fuel pump and injector failures, including one case where the car stalled and was rear-ended after losing power.
  • Electrical wiring inside headlight housings reportedly lost insulation, arced, and caused smoke or fire near the engine bay.
  • Several owners noticed a melting plastic smell before headlight or engine-bay wiring caught fire, sometimes spreading to the hood's heat shield.
  • A blower motor was reported to have caught fire and melted through the dashboard and glove box.
  • One owner said they were never notified about the electrical system recall before a fire started under the hood.
2008 BMW 335i complaints: complaints filed per quarter242008 Q32010 Q22012 Q42014 Q32016 Q22018 Q12020 Q1
201 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2008 Q3 to 2026 Q2; peak 2010 Q3 (24).

2008 BMW 335i recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 24V513000Jul 3, 2024Airbags394,029 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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. 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.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  3. NHTSA 17V676000Oct 25, 2017Electrical System702,965 vehicles

    Electrical system:wiring

    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. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.

    Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

    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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

See all 4 recalls for the 2008 BMW 335i →

2008 BMW 335i fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
26 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,000
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2008 compared with other 335i years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020062007200820092010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006No verdict003—
2007Avoid100288520.5
2008Avoid90201420
2009Avoid8085420
2010Caution6041420

All BMW 335i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 BMW 335i reliable?
Compared to other 335i model years, the 2008 ranks poorly. It has a complaint index of 90, the second-highest of 11 model years covered, and carries an Avoid verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW 335i?
NHTSA complaint data shows Fuel System issues lead at 38% of complaints, followed by Airbags at 21%, Engine at 20%, and Electrical System at 20%. Fuel system complaints show a median failure mileage of 27,055 miles.
Does the 2008 BMW 335i have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2008 335i, covering airbags (two separate campaigns) and electrical system wiring/connectors.
How does the 2008 335i compare to other years?
The 2008 335i's complaint index of 90 is close to the worst year, 2007, at 100. Later years like 2012, 2014, and 2015 score much lower, with 2015 earning a Best verdict at a complaint index of 20.
Were there fires reported in the 2008 BMW 335i?
NHTSA data shows 8 fire-related complaints for the 2008 335i, several tied to electrical wiring in the headlight assembly and blower motor.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.