Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 BMW 335i owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
When the vehicle was involved in a frontal wreck coming into contact with a box truck at a dead stop from 55mph, the driver airbag deployed, becoming punctured and particles flying all over and cutting up my arm. This causing the airbag to be completely flat. Thank god for the working seat belt.
This car has been totaled out by my insurance company due to the frame being waped radiator busted suspension warped electrical issues with the blower motor this was the 1st first of my 4 bmws to leave me owing money on a vehicle that isn't drivable location and issue unknown
Car: 2008 BMW 335i issue: driver side front airbag and passenger side head/curtain airbag deployed in a very lowspeed crash (less than 5 MPH) my wife was driving our 2008 BMW 335i on a street (hwy 6, houston, tx) in bumper to bumper traffic when the car in front of her suddenly slowed down. My wife reacted a bit late and gently hit the car in front of her. There was a small scratch on the rear bumper of the other car (vw beetle) and a small dent on the front bumper of the BMW. At this time the driver side front airbag and the passenger side curtain airbags deployed in the BMW. The car was disabled and had to be towed. Looking at the speed and the damage from the crash itself it is obvious that the BMW had faulty airbag sensors. I wanted to bring this to your notice so that it can be addressed.
Takata inflators are defective. I received a letter seven months ago from BMW in March 2016 informing me of a recall. I have received no further notice as to win these repairs will be taken care of. BMW should have to compensate owners for their flawed and dangerous design. As this car is my only transportation I have no choice than to drive a vehicle with safety features that could actually increase my risk of serious injury or death. This warrants financial compensation from BMW. Also, the cruise control stopped working for absolutely no reason.
Passenger airbag seat mat occupancy sensor fault. The problem began whenever a passenger would sit on the seat, the airbag light would go on. After some time passed the light stays on permanently. I noticed recalls for this problem in previous years. Upon researching, it seems to be a wide spread problem that just isn't reported. It leads to many just fixing it themselves, or just buying bypasses to avoid forking out over $1200 to get it fixed. The problem doesn't seem like a normal wear and tear situation, and needs to be addressed
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 BMW 335i. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact crashed into the proceeding vehicle. The contact sustained bruises to the face. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to a collision center. A police report was filed of the incident. The air bags filed to deploy during the extensive impact. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The failure mileage was 51,284. Updated 05/31/12
High pressure fuel pump failure could be the low pressure fuel pump not so sure got codes p3090 confirmed and p142e pending. The car was in motion when doing a turn the vehicle started to bog out and roughly idle I immediately turned to the right and shut the vehicle off tried to start it about three times in one minute intervals car would bog out and shut off threw me those two codes and a check engine light.
Passenger safety restraint system malfunctions, when a passenger is sitting in the passenger seat, the system malfunctions. This means the airbag will not deploy should there be a crash. This very issue is a cause of a recall by BMW for 2007 models, but early 2008 models are not currently covered despite this being a very common issue with this model.
On 22nd of sept 09 I was in an accident with my BMW 335i and it was a head on collision and all the airbags deployed except my driver's side airbag and that is where I slammed my head against and received a concussion, and this was after this recall and I nor anyone else who has the type of car as me were ever notified.
Vehicle is not allowed recall since VIN# does not apply however all things wrong with vehicle are exactly what can be found under recalls: NHTSA campaign id numbers 12e029000,09V257000, 09V257000. BMW fairfax and BMW north America state recall cannot be processed because my VIN does not apply. It is bothersome to know that I am experiencing only these 3 problems that so happen to be the only errors and all 3 are on the recall list for my make, model, and year. Perhaps if more vehicles with my part numbers come forward then maybe BMW can own up and actually help current BMW owners with these malfunctions instead of forcing customers to pay out of pocket on known BMW recalls and malfunctions. The errors are enging and enging cooling: cooling system: fan, seat belts: front, and air bags:frontal. …
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi,…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020.
Airbag complaints in other 335i years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 BMW 335i?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 BMW 335i, 21% of the model year's 201 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 BMW 335i airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 24V-513 (inflator module, Jul 3, 2024); NHTSA recall 20V-017 (inflator module, Jan 15, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 BMW 335i airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 7 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.