2008 BMW 335I Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 BMW 335I.

20072009
Complaints
275
Crashes
8
Fires
13
Injuries
13
Fatalities
3
Recalls
4

Worst 2008 BMW 335I Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#147 complaints

Gasoline Fuel System

Avg mileage:20,900 mi
#241 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:66,042 mi
Crash-related:4
Fires:1
#333 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:105,770 mi
Fires:5
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 BMW 335I.

Gasoline Fuel System
47
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
20,900
Airbags
41
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
66,042
Electrical Faults
33
complaints
Crashes
Fires
5
Avg Miles
105,770
Engine Problems
26
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
72,507
Fuel System
20
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
84,756
Headlight/Taillight Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
159,005
Engine & Cooling
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
42,300
Transmission / Drivetrain
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
61,148
Seat Belt Issues
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
61,185
Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
39,114
Fuel System, Other
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
32,833
Latches / Locks
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
56,962
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
65,334
Steering Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
76,762
Electronic Stability Control
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel Pump
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 BMW 335I. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2008 BMW 335I

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,673,750 vehicles.

24V513000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module · Air Bags:frontal
~394,029 affected

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.

20V017000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~59,965 affected

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.

17V676000Electrical System:wiring
~702,965 affected

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.

13V044000Wiring & Fuses · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables · Electrical System
~516,791 affected

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. 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.

Other BMW 335I Years

2008 BMW 335I — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2008 BMW 335I reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2008 BMW 335I has 275 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Gasoline Fuel System with 47 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2008 BMW 335I?
Top reported problems: Gasoline Fuel System (47 complaints, avg 20,900 mi); Airbags (41 complaints, avg 66,042 mi); Electrical Faults (33 complaints, avg 105,770 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 BMW 335I?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 65,640 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2008 BMW 335I?
NHTSA complaints for the 2008 BMW 335I include 8 crash-related reports, 13 fire reports, 13 injuries, and 3 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2008 BMW 335I have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,673,750 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2008 BMW 335I?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (gasoline fuel system) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full BMW 335I reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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