2008 BMW M3: recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2008 BMW M3. The newest campaign is 20V017000. NHTSA received the report on 15 Jan 2020. The NHTSA record gives the component Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module. NHTSA has 77 complaints on file for this model year. 1 NHTSA investigation names this model year.

The NHTSA recall file shows no do-not-drive advisory and no park-outside advisory on these campaigns.

This page cannot show if a recall applies to one vehicle. The NHTSA VIN lookup shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle.

Remedy of the newest campaign, 20V017000, in the NHTSA record

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.

NHTSA VIN lookup

Complaint information entered into NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation vehicle owner's complaint database is used with other data sources to identify safety issues that warrant investigation and to determine if a safety-related defect trend exists.
NHTSA publishes these words. Source: NHTSA Datasets and APIs, section Complaints, read on 1 Oct 2026. Complaint file through 15 May 2019. Recall file through 29 Sep 2026.

Since the last update

No tracked figure of this page changed in a data update. What the log tracks

All updates to the register

Recall campaigns

5 campaigns, newest first. 1,622,071 units in total.

20V01700015 Jan 2020Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module
19V47200019 Jun 2019Electrical System / Wiring / Fuses and Circuit Breakers
17V67600025 Oct 2017Electrical System / Wiring
16V0710005 Feb 2016Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module
08V59500014 Nov 2008Power Train / Clutch Assembly

20V017000Received 15 Jan 2020. 59,965 units.
Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 11 Mar 2020.
19V472000Received 19 Jun 2019. 16,641 units.
Electrical System / Wiring / Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Defect, in the NHTSA record
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18V-314.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 14 Aug 2019.
17V676000Received 25 Oct 2017. 702,965 units.
Electrical System / Wiring
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 29 Jun 2018.
16V071000Received 5 Feb 2016. 840,000 units.
Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module
Defect, in the NHTSA record
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 1 Nov 2016.
08V595000Received 14 Nov 2008. 2,500 units.
Power Train / Clutch Assembly
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Bmw is recalling 2,500 my 2008-2009 m3 passenger vehicles with an optional double clutch transmission. The problem involves the double clutch gearbox. In a situation of rapid vehicle deceleration, the transmission software may perform a multistage downshift.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
In that situation, at low vehicle speeds, it is possible for the engine to stall increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will reprogram the engine and transmission electronic control unit with updated software free of charge. The recall began on december 3, 2008. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
Report filed by BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 3 Dec 2008.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

Complaints by component

77 complaints, 95 component mentions.

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. The figure per 1,000 component mentions shows how many of each 1,000 mentions name the component.

2008 BMW M3
All 2008 vehicles

2008 BMW M3: complaints by component, per 1,000 component mentions
Component	2008 M3	All 2008 vehicles	M3, all years	Mentions
Power Train	410.5	75.7	236.8	39
Engine	200	62.5	99.4	19
Air Bags	84.2	160.2	192.4	8
Electrical System	73.7	142.9	52.9	7
Fuel System, Gasoline	52.6	21.8	21.1	5
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	31.6	18.2	8.5	3
Vehicle Speed Control	31.6	41.8	25.4	3
Service Brakes	21.1	41.5	6.3	2
Steering	21.1	83.4	14.8	2
Unknown or Other	10.5	34.8	19	1

The table shows the 10 components with the most mentions, of 16.

Complaints that report a crash: 3
Complaints that report a fire: 2
Injuries in the complaints: 3
Deaths in the complaints: 0
Date of the newest complaint: 2 Nov 2018

These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

Complaints about the 2008 BMW M3, by the year NHTSA received them. The largest year is 2009, with 27 complaints.

Investigations

NHTSA investigations that name the 2008 BMW M3
Number	Type	Subject	Component	Opened	Closed	Campaign
EA21002	Engineering analysis	Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture	Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module	17 Sep 2021	Open

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

Other model years

The number under each year is the number of recall campaigns.

19881
19891
19901
19911
19921
19931
19941
19954
19961
19972
19981
19991
20002
20014
20025
20035
20043
20053
20065
20073
20085
20095
20104
20114
20123
20132
20141
20153
20163
20172
20180
20213
20231

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

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Official channels

NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.
NHTSA page of the 2008 BMW M3The recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

Cite this page

Recall Register. 2008 BMW M3: recalls and complaints. https://recallregister.com/vehicle/bmw/m3/2008/. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall, complaint and investigation files. Data through 29 Sep 2026.

Sources

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Licence: US government work, public domain
Recall file through: 29 Sep 2026
Complaint file through: 15 May 2019
First complaint in the file: 1 Jan 1995
Manufacturer in the recall file: BMW of North America, LLC

The NHTSA record is the authority. A complaint count is the number of different complaint numbers for the make, the model and the model year. How the register is made. Report an error.

Questions

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 2008 BMW M3?: 1,622,071 units in 5 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.
How many recall campaigns does the BMW M3 have for all model years?: NHTSA lists 26 recall campaigns for the BMW M3, model years 1988 to 2023. 5 of them name the 2008 model year.
Which component do the complaints about the 2008 BMW M3 name most often?: Power Train: 39 of 95 component mentions, or 410.5 per 1,000. For all 2008 vehicles the figure is 75.7 per 1,000.
Is an NHTSA investigation of the 2008 BMW M3 open?: 1 investigation has no closing date in the NHTSA file, of 1 that name this model year.