2008 BMW 3 Series Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 4%of 68 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 BMW 3 Series, 4% of the 68 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,000 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.
“My brakes failed. I was at a stoplight on a side street. With 3 other cars in front of me, the light turned green and I proceeded to step on the gas pedal. As I picked up speed, the cars in front of me started to brake as there were pedestrians and other traffic. I went to apply my brakes and the car did not slow down or stop. I vered to the right to avoid rear-ending the car in front of me and started to pump my brake pedal. It still was not slowing the car. I noticed the brake pedal felt hard as I tried to press it down. …”
NHTSA complaint #10608823, filed 2014-07, 54,000 miles“While driving on freeway in downtown los angeles, the rear end of the vehicle began making intermittent noises and shaking. All of a sudden there was a loud band coming from the rear end and the vehicle immediately began to slow (in heavy los angeles traffic). I was able to get the vehicle off of the freeway and pulled to the side of the road. The vehicle would only pull forward or backward for a few feet before stopping. The car was towed to the dealership, steve thomas Bmw in camarillo, ca. This happened on friday. …”
NHTSA complaint #10263719, filed 2009-03, 5,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10052365May 1, 2013Bmw: warning lamps are illuminated for the dsc, abs and brake and a possible warning in control display for chassis control system failure. Models 2012 f25, 30, 01, 02, 07, 10…
- 10041280Aug 1, 2010Bmw: the rear led lights are inoperative. There is connection corrosion in the tail lamp.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 | 10% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 4% |
| 2008 | 3 | 4% |
| 2007 | 5 | 4% |
| 2006 | 3 | 1% |
| 2005 | 1 | 4% |
| 2004 | 3 | 4% |
| 2003 | 3 | 4% |
| 2002 | 2 | 8% |
| 2001 | 2 | 6% |
| 2000 | 3 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2008 BMW 3 Series
19 complaintsEngine
13 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 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 Oct 31, 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