2008 BMW M3 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 24%of 82 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,550miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the engine of the 2008 BMW M3, 24% of the 82 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,550 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The 2008 me has the s65 engine which has been heavily reported to have rod bearing failures due to poor design of the factory rod bearings. My car engine has seized due to this and I am looking at from Bmw $30,000 plus in repairs!! The new Bmw m3s had an updated rod bearing material which prevented it from failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10897013, filed 2016-08, 139,000 miles“Rod bearing failure! Today while entering the freeway I heard a loud boom followed by the engine turning off. I towed the car home and after inspection I found the cylinder 8 piston has blown through the block. The car has just broke 100k miles,has always been serviced on time and showed no prior indication of any issues. I had this car in the shop for a check up from Bmw's master tech with no notes of any noises or issues.”
NHTSA complaint #10934495, filed 2016-12, 105,654 miles“I've been driving Bmw for over 12 years. My absolute favorite car to drive. I've had my M3 for a year. My dream car. I took the upmost care of her. Coming home from work late monday driving around 65-70 miles per hour. I heard a loud noise from my car and an engine malfunction notification on my car. Almost hit an 18 wheeler as my car lost control before I swerved into a ditch. Had it towed to my mechanic where he confirmed a piece of a rod poking out the lower part of my block. I never thought the rod bearing failure would ever happen to me! It happened. …”
NHTSA complaint #11066845, filed 2018-02, 102,000 miles“I was driving from work and heard a loud metal knocking noise coming from the engine compartment. I immediately stopped and called a tow truck. The car was towed to kummrow automotive. They diagnosed that this is a catastrophic rod bearing failure. How could this happen in a car with a little over 60,000 miles? I knew about the potential rod bearing issue and the class action suits, but since this issue affects less than 1% of the vehicles and since I bought a vehicle that was never tracked, babied all of its life, I felt confident I wasn't going to be one of the unlucky ones. …”
NHTSA complaint #11046268, filed 2017-11, 60,000 miles“After informing Bmw na many times of the widespread rod bearing problem on the s65 motor that can cause engine failure and seizing of the engine at speed they refuse to assist me in this matter. This wide spread bearing issue has affected 100's if not 1000's of these engines. After my engine failed Bmw refused to good will me a engine for small unrelated misc. Things for example exhaust and suspension. I've had the bearings replaced by a reputable indyshop that has done many rod bearing jobs on my identical car type. I have failed original bearings in hand. …”
NHTSA complaint #10748475, filed 2015-08, 96,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10170574Dec 1, 2019SERVICE ACTION: N54T ENGINE - INSPECT AND REPLACE INJECTOR(S). The piezo-type fuel injectors may cause a rough running at start-up or rough running while at idle.
- 10146535Feb 1, 2017"? NO REGENERATION OF THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B18 03 10 dated November 2010. . The Service Engine Soon lamp is…
- 10146534Feb 1, 2017"? DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) CLEANING . The following performance issues may be noticed by the customer: CC-Message ""Drive faulty"" Engine jerking or a lack of power over…
- 10151170Mar 1, 2016N51 Engine: Service Engine Soon Lamp Illuminated - Loss of Power and Various Faults Stored in the DME. The customer complains that the Service Engine Soon lamp is illuminated…
- 10151068Feb 1, 2016This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B07 03 14 dated October 2015. Diagnosing Stored Fault Codes to Help Avoid Repeat Repair Visits. Fault codes stored in vehicles…
- 10147595Jan 1, 2015SUBJECT DME Internal and Valvetronic Faults Set at Cold Ambient Temperatures. The Service Engine Soon light (MIL) can be illuminated with the erroneous internal and Valvetronic…
- 10149282Oct 1, 2014Engine Damage Due to Debris in Oil Passages. After performing extensive engine repairs (e.g., cylinder head removal), the engine begins to knock and may lose power. Debris has…
- 10150065Jun 1, 2013"BMW NA has agreed to extend the emissions warranties of the turbocharger's wastegate to: ??8 years or 82,000 miles, whichever occurs first, as determined from the vehicle's…
- 10149589May 1, 2013"N54 Engine: Diagnosis of Cold Start Rough Running with Misfire Faults. The customer may complain that during the cold start in the morning, the engine runs very roughly and the…
- 10150096Mar 1, 2013N55 Engine Failsafe - FC 120308 Boost Pressure Control, Plausibility: Pressure Too Low Stored in DME Fault Memory. INFORMATION The customer complains the SES is illuminated and…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 | 22% |
| 2016 | 3 | 60% |
| 2013 | 4 | 31% |
| 2012 | 2 | 33% |
| 2011 | 16 | 52% |
| 2010 | 4 | 27% |
| 2009 | 4 | 9% |
| 2008 | 20 | 24% |
| 2004 | 2 | 6% |
| 2003 | 3 | 6% |
| 2002 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2008 BMW M3
37 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsElectrical system
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