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Electrical systemPart report

2008 BMW M3 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
11%of 82 total for the year
Median mileage
56,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 BMW M3, 11% of the 82 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are 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.

“Vehicle mileage: 41,706 after receiving an oil change, I picked my car up at my local independent mechanic shop. When turning the car on I noticed a misfire with the engine. I turned the car off and asked the shop to take a look. They identified a misfire in cylinder #2. After 30 seconds of the car being turned off, smoke started pouring out of cylinder #2. After 90 seconds of aggressively smoking, the fire put itself out. Iit was found that the coil pack for cylinder #2 caught fire and fried an upstream dme control unit as well. …”

NHTSA complaint #10896370, filed 2016-08, 41,706 miles

“Nhtsa recall number: 17v676 this recall was issued over a year ago and still have yet to be contacted by Bmw to resolve the recall or provide any recourse. What is the typical response time?”

NHTSA complaint #11144882, filed 2018-11, 56,000 miles

“During a regular fuel stop at a gas station, I noticed the central lock button nor the physical door hinge fail to operate to open the door for me to exit. The fuse for the central power door lock/unlock button blew out, completely disabling the interior door hinge mechanism. I got trapped inside but thankfully the power was still on and the rear doors remained unlocked. So, I lowered the driverside window and crawl outside. Then open the unlocked reer door to enter the vehicle from the back seat. …”

NHTSA complaint #11596458, filed 2024-06

“The contact owns a 2008 Bmw M3. The contact stated that the doors failed to unlock, the vehicle failed to start, and all the electrical components failed to function. The contact also stated that the battery was tested and was in working condition. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 16,000. Updated 3/28/14 the consumer stated the battery was replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10559626, filed 2014-01, 16,000 miles

“Bmw M3 experiencing sos failure. Consumer states that the sos failure warning and radio did not work. She states that it was unintelligible when she pressed the sos button. Dealer stated that it would be ok. The consumer was told the problem was caused by his non Bmw cell phone which was not compatible with the tcu, which caused it to locked up and shut down different functions in the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10225131, filed 2008-04

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2018111%
2013215%
2011723%
201017%
2009613%
2008911%
200413%
200347%
2002410%
1998214%

Other parts of the 2008 BMW M3

Transmission and drivetrain
37 complaintsEngine
20 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 BMW M3

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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