2008 BMW 3 Series Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 7%of 68 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2008 BMW 3 Series, 7% of the 68 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“When travelling on harlem river drive middle lane, my car all the sudden displayed an engine overheat light yellow that turned red within 3 seconds and started losing power (from 50-60 MPH to 1 MPH) within 5 seconds...the car had to be towed to the nearest dealership. This is an extremely dangerous situation, as I did not have enough warning time to pull to the shoulder. The dealership is stating that this is a water pump failure. I am aware that there are recalls on x5s but not on my car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10452625, filed 2012-03, 55,000 miles“On three occasions since I purchased this vehicle new, while driving and accelerating the engine cuts out and RPM's suddenly drop. The date referenced below was the first time this happened. This has happened twice since then. I have taken the vehicle in all three times. They changed some parts, but this continues to happen. At one time, I was try to get through an intersection with oncoming traffic, although there was not an accident, it was scary. Another time was changing lanes on a highway. This seems to be intermittent problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10313845, filed 2010-02, 1,000 miles“I took the vehicle for the following symptoms: 1.) long(er) crank 2.) engine malfunction, reduced power 3.) service engine soon 4.) heavy, erratic shaking and shuddering 5.) engine sounded like a union pacific train with loud pumping sound 6.) because of 4 + 5, decide to turn-off the engine or sometimes it just stalls before 7.) after reset, the car becomes drivable but symptoms will reoccur. 8.) able to recreate problem when I mash the gas after doing some research on an auto forum, I suspected that the caused of the problem was a failing high pressure fuel pump. …”
NHTSA complaint #10242095, filed 2008-09, 15,500 miles“2008 Bmw 328i stalls while driving. Once stalled under power as I was making a left turn across traffic - dealer said no code was thrown so they were unable to address. The other stalls have not during slowdown period, not as critical but they come with no warning whatsoever which is dangerous! No accident from it yet but I no longer feel safe driving this car. First occurrence in 2010, two more recently dec 2010 & jan 2011.”
NHTSA complaint #10378357, filed 2011-01“My 335i 2008 has had three recalls all related to the fuel system. With 24,000 miles it now has issues with starting.I recently have taken it back to my dealer,left it for four days, picked it up with cannot duplicate customer complaint . In less than a week the start up has gone from three to five un,un,un,un,uns to crank. The car is about to go out of warranty and I believe that Bmw knows there are serious problems and is refusing to repair until they are able to get repairs income. …”
NHTSA complaint #10436491, filed 2011-11Related recalls
- 22V119000Mar 2, 2022BMW 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…Covers: BMW 3 Series 2006–2012, Z4 2006–2011, 128I 2008–2013 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10037079Oct 1, 2014Bmw: service engine soon light is on. The vehicle lost power and the engine cranks with no start. *rm updated 5/19/15.
- 10040347Jul 1, 2013Bmw: fuel injectors may cause misfire faults with erratic engine operation. *rm updated on 11/1/2013.
- 10046861Mar 1, 2013Bmw: see document search button for owner letter. The replacing and/or checking of emissions monitoring components to increase emissions stability, high pressure (hp) egr valve…
- 10041407Mar 1, 2013Bmw: service engine soon light is on and the engine has reduced power with trouble codes stored. *rm updated on 4/24/2013.
- 10038217Mar 1, 2013Bmw: crankcase pressure diagnosis and information for all vehicles. *rm updated on 4/24/2013.
- 10032779Nov 1, 2012Bmw vehicle: the service engine soon (mil) lamp is illuminated and a power reduction is clearly perceptible. This situation may occur after driving for some time with the engine…
- 10045279Jul 1, 2012Bmw: a failure of the turbocharger wastegates, caused by a defect, has an emissions extended warranty, 8 years or 82,000 miles, whichever comes first, not otherwise falling…
- 10037657Jun 1, 2012Bmw: there is a clanking noise from the engine or exhaust area. Wastegate valve is not completely closing and clanking. *rm updated 7/17/12.
- 10042684Sep 1, 2011Bmw: on some vehicles, the high pressure fuel pump has an internal component that may fail and causing drivability symptoms such as erratic engine operation and longer starting…
- 10033085Aug 1, 2011Bmw: complaint of a delayed engagement and a harsh jolt when accelerating from a stop. The situation occurs only during the engine warm up phase (cold engine), and cannot be…
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 BMW 3 Series
19 complaintsEngine
13 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsFuel system
8 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 Oct 28, 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