YearToAvoid

2008 BMW 335xi Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2008 BMW 335xi ranks worst of 10 model years for this model, with a complaint index of 100 and 62 complaints, mostly fuel system (47%) and electrical (29%) issues, including 6 fires. It carries an Avoid verdict and 3 recall campaigns.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 10 335xi years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
62
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
6
Injuries
1
Top issue
Fuel System
Best nearby year
2010
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19.5
16.5 city / 25 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2008 BMW 335xi problems

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

  1. Fuel System29 (47%)
  2. Electrical System18 (29%)
  3. Engine15 (24%)
  4. Airbags4 (6%)
  5. Structure & Body4 (6%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain4 (6%)
  7. Brakes2 (3%)
  8. Other2 (3%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (2%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers1 (2%)

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

What owners report

  • High-pressure fuel pumps fail repeatedly, sometimes with burning gas smell and smoke from the tailpipe.
  • Sudden loss of engine power on the road with an 'engine malfunction, reduced power' warning.
  • Smoke and fire originate from behind the dashboard near the center console or glove compartment.
  • Vehicles have caught fire while parked in driveways or parking lots, sometimes hours after being shut off.
  • Transmission jolts hard at a stop, as if being rear-ended, even at low speed.
2008 BMW 335xi complaints: complaints filed per quarter62009 Q22010 Q32013 Q22015 Q42017 Q42020 Q12023 Q3
62 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2009 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2010 Q3 (6).

2008 BMW 335xi recalls

3 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.

2008 BMW 335xi fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16.5 MPG
Highway
25 MPG
Combined
19.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,100
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 335xi years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002006200720082009201020112012201320142015
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006No verdict003—
2007Caution6720420
2008Avoid10062319.5
2009Avoid78183—
2010Good33113—

All BMW 335xi years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 BMW 335xi reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 335xi ranks worst among all 10 model years for this model, with a complaint index of 100 and 62 complaints.
What problems does the 2008 BMW 335xi have?
Owners most often report fuel system failures (47% of complaints, median mileage 35,700), followed by electrical system issues (29%, median mileage 89,500) and engine problems (24%, median mileage 72,000). There were also 6 reported fires.
Does the 2008 BMW 335xi have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this year covering airbags (twice) and the electrical wiring and connectors system.
What year BMW 335xi should I avoid?
The 2008 model year has the highest complaint index (100) and is rated Avoid, along with 2009 (78) and 2011 (89); 2010 and 2014 are rated Good by comparison.
Why did the 2008 BMW 335xi catch fire?
NHTSA complaints describe fires starting from the fuel system and from wiring behind the dashboard, with 6 total fire reports for this model year.

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.