Was driving on highway going 80 and the car just shut down, was unable to steer, left me and my 9 year old stranded for about 30 minutes untill it started back up, everyday everytime I drive it no matter what the speed it shuts down and have to pray that I don't get hit by a car or am able to glide to safety, very unsafe not knowing when the car will shut down on me, took to mechanic there were no codes no check engine light or anything, therefore couldn't be fixed, something is not right with car, car only started doing this from april 2019 to present,it doesn't matter if I'm on highway, street, stopped has always happened, like I said I don't know when it's going to happen.im going to get killed one of these days or seriously injured
2008 BMW 3 Series engine problems
18 complaints (26% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 70,000.
- owner complaints
- 18
- of this car's complaints
- 26%
- typical mileage
- 70,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Engine1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
BMW 3 Series engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 BMW 3 Series engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
- Remedy
- This recall supersedes and expands previous the federal safety agency recalls 17V‑683 and 19V‑273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous the federal safety agency recalls 17V‑683 and 19V‑273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 22V119000 · Recall details
What 2008 BMW 3 Series owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
About a month ago, my 2008 bmw 3 series engine stalled while driving at speed 45 MPH. I received no warning before the engine stalled. It was a miracle that I was able to move over a lane and get off the road before an impact from other vehicles. This occurs every time I drive the vehicle, multiple times and at various speeds. It's very dangerous because I receive no warning before it happens. The vehicle is always in motion when it happens and at various speeds, on highways, streets, anywhere while driving straight, turning and any other maneuvers.
Blower motor wiring and pcv recall issued nov. 2017 remedy unavailable
While the car was travelling at a rate of about 45 MPH, it did something I never experienced before. It started to shake, sputter and lose power while ascending a on a paved city street that had about a 20 degree uphill grade. The vehicle behind me didn't expect my sudden speed change and nearly rear ended me.. The engine icon appeared on the dash and I sputtered all the way home.
Recently I got a letter from bmw that my vehicle was recalled for two issues which I have been experiencing since a year. 1 overheating 2. Plastic burning smell inside the compartment. I brought this to their bmw's notice many times which they ignored. And recently when I got this recall letter from bmw I gave them a call(princeton bmw), they gave me an appointment saying they will fix that. I told them crystal clearly that I was there for the two recall issues only and nothing else. And to my shock ,let alone repairing the mandatory recall issues, they gave a big list of other things, which I did not even ask for, and they charged me around 170 dollars(attached copies). I am bringing this to your notice for solely one reason, and that is there are millions of unsuspecting people who are unaware of this malpractice who will be falling into this kind of trap. Bmw is trying to make money out of this situation too. I am attaching all the copies. Please look into this matter and please make them realize there is an authority watching. I felt like somebody stole money from me. Hope to get a response from the department. Thank you very much.
I experienced a break down when I was driving on a city street. My car was then towed to the local dealer and dealer discovered water pump was bad so it was then replaced under warranty. 3 years later my car broke down again and was towed to local dealer an again the water pump was determined bad and replaced. I contacted bmw north america to see if they would help considering the water pump has broken twice but no help from them.
Driving car and vehicle started to shake, make rumbling noise and feels sluggish when accelerating. Doesn't feel safe to drive with sluggish, engine power intermittent.
Three bolts on engine mount bracket sheared off and one bolt on the same engine mount bracket was missing. The three bolts that sheared are in the engine block. This incident occurred only two weeks after bringing in my car to the peter pan bmw dealership to have my car inspected.
I was informed the valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket were leaking, which caused a problem with the eccentric shaft sensor. I paid for a new valvetronic motor, eccentric shaft sensor, valve cover and gaskets, and oil filter housing gasket, and the associated repair. Fast forward 3 months, I go in for a oil change and am told that again I have a significant leak from the valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket.
I was going over a small bump in the road at 30 MPH and my engine mount failed. All four aluminum bolts sheared off and the engine dropped. This drop snapped my passenger drive shaft (half axle) in two pieces. *js I think bmw has a serious problem with the strength of the engine mount hardware. The engine mount bolts should be stronger. The failure mode is dangerous.
Questions about the 2008 BMW 3 Series engine
Does the 2008 BMW 3 Series have engine problems?
Owners have filed 18 complaints about the engine of the 2008 BMW 3 Series, 26% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2008 BMW 3 Series engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 70,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 BMW 3 Series engine?
Yes, 1 recall: 22V119000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the BMW 3 Series have bad engine?
The BMW 3 Series model years with the most engine complaints are 2007 (23 complaints), 2008 (18 complaints) and 2006 (15 complaints).
Other 2008 BMW 3 Series problems
Electrical 19Airbags 10Fuel system 8Tires 5Locks 4Body 3Brakes 3Transmission 3Wheels 3Acceleration 2Lights 2Steering 2Driver assistance 1Seat belts 1Seats 1Suspension 1Visibility 1
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