2008 BMW 335XI Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2008 335xi most often describe sudden loss of engine power tied to the high-pressure fuel pump, usually together with long cranking, stuttering and reduced-power (limp) mode, and many say the pump was replaced more than once. Fuel injector faults with misfires and rough cold starts are the next most common theme, along with blower-motor wiring that smokes or burns behind the dashboard on higher-mileage cars. Coolant pump failure and doors that will not unlock also appear repeatedly in the sample.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   High-pressure fuel pump failure, limp mode and stalling

   • 20 complaints (32%)
   • median 28,194 mi at 2.7 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2018

   Complaints describe the engine dropping into reduced-power mode, stuttering, shaking or quitting entirely, often while accelerating onto a highway or at speed. Many owners report long cranks before the failure, and several say the high-pressure fuel pump was replaced two or three times, sometimes with spark plugs, coils or injectors replaced at the same time because of misfires. Dealers typically replaced the pump; some owners say the problem returned after the repair or that the dealer could not identify a lasting fix. Most reports in the sample fall between roughly 20,000 and 40,000 miles, with a number of failures within the first few thousand miles and others past 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask for service records showing whether the high-pressure fuel pump has been replaced and how many times, and note whether the car cranks promptly from cold. A stored fuel-pressure fault code and any history of repeated reduced-power messages are worth checking before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My Bmw 335XI has repeatedly had fuel pump issues. The engine will malfunction when I am in the middle of the road (often times in the middle of the highway). This is not only a potential safety issue for myself, but for others on the road as well. This fuel pump failure issue prevents my car from moving, which can potentially lead to someone's death, especially on the highway. Please force Bmw to recall this fuel pump asap.”

   NHTSA complaint #10301653, filed 2010-01, 26,000 miles

   “While driving around 65-70mph, I experienced a complete loss of engine power, and had to pull over to the shoulder of the highway. I immediately restarted the vehicle and was left with 50% engine power (limp mode). Luckily the dealer was only a couple miles away, so I immediately drove there for repair, but had this been elsewhere in the region, I would have been stranded. The Bmw high pressure fuel pump was replaced and the car has been working well ever after. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10345194, filed 2010-07, 20,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel injector faults, misfires and rough running

   • 9 complaints (15%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 7.7 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2024

   Owners describe misfiring, a rough or surging idle, hard cold starts and a service-engine light, sometimes with a strong fuel smell or fuel appearing around the spark plugs. Several complaints say the vehicle was diagnosed with failed injectors and that the injectors had to be replaced, in some cases after being told that all of them should be changed together because of part revisions. Complaints also describe being told the car was outside the coverage of a campaign that addressed injectors on these engines. Reported mostly between about 65,000 and 130,000 miles in the sample, often showing first as a rough start or misfire under acceleration.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the injectors have been replaced and which revision or part index was fitted, and have a scan tool read stored misfire and fuel-trim codes. A service bulletin describes an inspection and replacement procedure for injectors on this engine family, so records of that work are useful to see.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My model car has a recall on the fuel injectors. My vehicle's fuel injectors have misfired and have cause the check engine light to remain on in my car. I have contacted Bmw several times about this issue. They have told me multiple stories as to why they will not honor my car under this recall. One reason they give is my VIN #, even though my car is the same make and model as the recall with the same issue. Then they say my car is out of warranty. I thought the purpose of a recall is that it repairs your car even if it's out of warranty. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10548338, filed 2013-10, 65,000 miles

   “Fuel injectors are dumping excess fuel into the cylinders. Engine will surge causing check engine light to come on. Sure happens on cold start and also can happen while driving.”

   NHTSA complaint #11321294, filed 2020-04, 128,900 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Blower motor wiring overheating and dash-area fires

   • 8 complaints (13%)
   • median 109,000 mi at 10.3 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2023

   Complaints describe smoke coming from behind the dashboard, sometimes with the air conditioning cutting out first, and in several cases flames in the dash or glovebox area that damaged or destroyed the car while it was parked or shortly after driving. One owner reported a hand burn while putting out a small wire fire. Several other complaints are about the related recall itself, saying parts were not available and the repair could not be completed for months. Most reports involve cars past roughly 90,000 miles, and several describe fires while the vehicle was parked and switched off.

   Recall 17V676000

   What to check: Check whether recall 17V676000 for the blower-motor wiring has been completed, and ask for the repair invoice rather than relying on a verbal answer. A burning or hot-plastic smell from the vents or any scorching behind the glovebox is a reason to have the circuit inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Blower motor recall. My Bmw caught on fire on 5/17/2018. I believe it may be related to the current recall concerning engine fires in several model lines. It was parked in my driveway. Had been turned off for over 1 1/2 hours. Damage was primarily isolated to the front and rear. Fire department was called and arrived within 3 minutes to extinguish the fire. Comments made by arson investigators were odd burn patterns. First thought was electrical related fire. They had to call back fire fighters due to worry the battery would reignite.”

   NHTSA complaint #11097717, filed 2018-05, 140,000 miles

   “I was driving my car I wasn't driving my car no more than 15 min. I felt my AC cut off then I saw white smoke above the dashboard I pulled over and shut the engine off and raise the hood up no smoke was coming from the engine the smoke was coming from above the dashboard then flames fell out above the glove apartment in which the entire car caught fire my car was well taking care of never had any major problem wit my car (a Bmw certified mechanic work on my car ) im very disappointed about my car catching on fire for no reason at all I could …”

   NHTSA complaint #11030254, filed 2017-09, 154,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Electric coolant pump failure and overheating

   • 5 complaints (8%)
   • median 50,226 mi at 5.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2022

   Owners report a coolant warning light, loss of power and the engine overheating, in some cases with the pump seizing and the engine shutting off at highway speed. Complaints describe the dealer replacing the water pump, and one owner says the dealer acknowledged an overheat record but told them to contact the manufacturer for a resolution. A settlement document in the service bulletins covers the electric coolant pump on this engine family. Reported from the low 20,000s up to about 60,000 miles in the sample, with most clustered near 50,000 to 60,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the electric coolant pump and thermostat have been replaced, and check for coolant residue or a low-coolant warning after a cold start. It is also worth confirming whether any work was done under the coolant-pump settlement referenced in the service bulletins.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car hasn't start up for 2 years now. 1st it started with a dead starter, then alternator, then the radiator and water pump bursted, and as i was standing outside of my car the passenger air bag deploys while the car was off and key out of the ignition. Luckily no one was in my car but now my car doesn't and wont crank or turnover, it makes a buzzing noise for a split second when i hit the start/stop button and thats all. I'm getting full voltage to it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11495879, filed 2022-12

   “Coolant / water pump has failed at 57,000 miles. The pump seized, which caused the engine to overheat and shut off at highway speeds. A water pump should not fail at such an early age. Internet searches indicate this is a common problem on 3-series (extremely early failure of the water pump). This is unacceptable.”

   NHTSA complaint #10785959, filed 2015-10, 58,000 miles

Buying note. A used 2008 335xi should be checked for high-pressure fuel pump and injector service history, confirmation that the blower-motor wiring recall has been completed, and evidence of coolant pump replacement, since these are the themes that appear most often in owner complaints for this model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 59 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.