2008 BMW 3 Series Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 15%of 68 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 BMW 3 Series, 15% of the 68 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Hi, I am quite frustrated with Bmw. They have experienced widespread issues with their passenger restraint systems have multiple recalls out, however my car at this time is not part of it but my passenger airbags are faulty. Bmw wants to charge me $150 diagnosis instead of ensuring the safety of my passengers. I'm writing you as this is very scary to me that Bmw is willing to risk teh safety of the my passengers and not take care of their customers.”
NHTSA complaint #10644528, filed 2014-10, 68,000 miles“The contact owns a 2008 Bmw 318i. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10672466, filed 2015-01, 55,000 miles“Takata recall. Received first notification on 02/2016, no response till now. It has been over a year, need to know if this will be fix or what is the risk of keep driving with this issue, Bmw will be responsible if something happen to me or who ever drives the vehicle?”
NHTSA complaint #10985450, filed 2017-05Related service bulletins
- 10037078Sep 1, 2010Bmw: the airbag warning lamp is illuminated due to a software error.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 | 14% |
| 2012 | 1 | 14% |
| 2010 | 10 | 33% |
| 2009 | 15 | 28% |
| 2008 | 10 | 15% |
| 2007 | 35 | 30% |
| 2006 | 101 | 50% |
| 2005 | 16 | 64% |
| 2004 | 15 | 19% |
| 2003 | 21 | 29% |
| 2002 | 6 | 23% |
| 2001 | 8 | 22% |
| 2000 | 11 | 13% |
| 1999 | 3 | 50% |
| 1997 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2008 BMW 3 Series
19 complaintsEngine
13 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 BMW 3 Series
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology