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2008 BMW M3

5 recalls Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #08V595000 Plain English
Component

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

Manufacturer
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
What Happened
Your vehicle has a double clutch transmission that may not work properly when you quickly slow down. The software controlling the transmission might make the engine stall at low speeds.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens, your car might stall while driving slowly, which increases the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
We'll update the transmission's software for free, and the dealership will take care of it. You can contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117 to schedule an appointment.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
IN THAT SITUATION, AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Original — Remedy
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #20V017000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The driver's side airbag in your vehicle is the part that deploys to keep you safe in a crash. Unfortunately, some of these airbags were made with a type of propellant that can break down over time, especially in humid or hot conditions.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens, the airbag could explode and send sharp metal fragments flying towards you or other passengers. This could cause serious injury or even be fatal.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty airbag inflator with a new, safer one — free of charge. You should schedule a repair as soon as you get a notice from BMW.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #16V071000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
Your vehicle's driver-side airbag is a safety feature that inflates in the event of a crash to protect you. In certain models, the airbag's inflator might not work properly, which could cause it to burst.
Risk if Unfixed
If the airbag bursts during a crash, metal fragments could fly towards you or your passengers, causing serious injury or even death. This is a life-threatening risk that you should take seriously.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty airbag module or inflator with a safe one, at no cost to you. You'll get a notification from BMW, and you should schedule the repair as soon as possible.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
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.
Original — Remedy
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #19V472000 Plain English
Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The fuse box in your vehicle has a connection that can corrode over time and cause electrical power to fail.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens, your vehicle could stall, and you could lose control, which increases the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will inspect and replace the battery cable connector at no cost to you, and you should schedule the repair as soon as you receive the notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #17V676000 Plain English
Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
Your vehicle has electrical wiring that controls the heating and air conditioning system. In certain 2006-2011 BMW models, this wiring can get too hot and cause problems.
Risk if Unfixed
If the wiring overheats, it can melt the electrical connectors, which could cause a fire even when your car is parked and unattended.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty wiring and electrical connectors with new, safe ones – for free. You'll get a notification when the repair is available, and you should schedule it as soon as you can.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Browse by Component

AIR BAGS
2 recalls
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 recalls
POWER TRAIN
1 recall

Other BMW M3 Years

2023
1 recall
2021
3 recalls
2017
2 recalls
2016
3 recalls
2015
3 recalls
2014
1 recall
2013
2 recalls
2012
3 recalls
2011
4 recalls
2010
4 recalls
2009
5 recalls
2007
3 recalls
2006
5 recalls
2005
3 recalls
2004
3 recalls
2003
5 recalls
2002
5 recalls
2001
4 recalls
2000
2 recalls

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