2008 BMW 3 Series Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 3%of 68 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,750miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2008 BMW 3 Series, 3% of the 68 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,750 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“Car was parked in the driveway, drove it earlier that day for about an hour, parked it 3pm and 2 hours later neighbor came knocking saying car was smoking. Ran outside and car was on fire. Interior was smoked out. Keyless entry was dead. Broke the window to get the car open, turned the garden hose on to try and stop the car from burning. Called 911 fire dept arrived and had to pry the truck open because it was still sizzling. Fire dept cut the battery cables and said it looked like an electrical fire under the dash. Glove box and passenger side front seat was completely charred. …”
NHTSA complaint #10758905, filed 2015-08, 160,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10057568Oct 1, 2014Bmw: on some vehicles, when starting, low beam, with 0552 option, would briefly flashes, due to a faulty led main light module that needs replacing. Model 2008-14 f01, f02, f06…
- 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…
- 10044032Apr 1, 2012Bmw: the left or right rear light in the side panel has condensation concerning vehicles produced up to february 27,2012.
- 10040057Aug 1, 2011Bmw: wiring on the headlights may have deteriorated due to environmental conditions and the cover not being secured properly. E60/e92. *rm updated 9/30/11.
- 10035224Oct 1, 2010Bmw vehicle: rear bulb failure. The bulb out warning shows in the instrument cluster. Diagnosis shows a fault for the rear lamp. The bulb out can be displayed for 2 possible…
- 10041280Aug 1, 2010Bmw: the rear led lights are inoperative. There is connection corrosion in the tail lamp.
- 10037025Aug 1, 2010Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
- 10034186Aug 1, 2010Bmw: leds in rear lamp inoperative. The leds (light emitting diodes) in the outer left or outer right rear lamp are inoperative. Affected are the leds for the parking lamp/tail…
- 10030610May 1, 2009Bmw vehicles: front led turn signal not working or malfunctioning. Two situations are possible-the front left and/or front right led (light emitting diode) turn signals do not…
- 10025983Jun 1, 2008Bmw: headlamp moisture: fault diagnostics. Water or condensation in one or both headlamps. Models 5 series, 6 series, 7 series, x5, x6, 1 series, and 3 series. Model years…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | 7% |
| 2009 | 5 | 9% |
| 2008 | 2 | 3% |
| 2007 | 7 | 6% |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% |
| 2005 | 4 | 16% |
| 2004 | 42 | 55% |
| 2003 | 23 | 32% |
| 2002 | 3 | 12% |
| 2001 | 8 | 22% |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% |
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 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsWheels
3 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