Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
"I am reporting a failed safety remedy by BMW of Macon regarding Recall 13V-044 (Battery Cable Connector). Following the recall service, the vehicle suffered a systemic digital failure and a legal odometer discrepancy of approximately 20,000 miles 73,547 to around 53,000k (The 53k miles was seen on the dash after the service, but the exact number wasn't documented by me, but was reported to my service advisor at BMW of Macon) Specifically: 1. Module De-Sync: The recall was allegedly performed without proper voltage stabilization, causing a communication failure ('brownout') between the CAS and Instrument Clustermodules. 2. Vehicle Immobilization: The resulting digital handshake failure has triggered a security lockout, rendering the car unable to crank and locking the transmission in Park (No Neutral). 3. …
The engine and all electrical components including power steering spontaneously cutout while driving, usually while engine isnt being stressed at all, sometimes while idling. If the car is rolling, i have to restart the engine while driving and using manual power to steer. Obviously, this is a huge safety problem. I've just had the alternator and battery replaced, and they test fine. This has happened at least 50 times and I've reduced time driving vehicle until I solve the issue, which has persisted at least 6 months. I asked the BMW dealer about the following recall, and they claim they already performed it years ago after I already owned the car, without my recalling being told it was done. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 BMW 335i. While driving, the vehicle started to overheat. The contact noticed smoke under the hood while the vehicle was idling. Upon further inspection, the contact could not determine the location of the smoke. The engine malfunction indicator illuminated. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. There was no fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that, due to the auxiliary cooling fan overheating, the radiator cracked and the auxiliary cooling fan and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V676000 (electrical system). The contact called momentum BMW at [phone] (10002 southwest fwy, houston, tx 77074), but the call was disconnected. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 BMW 335i. While the vehicle was parked and occupied, the contact noticed smoke coming from the dashboard and through the air vents in the vehicle. The contact and his family were able to exit the vehicle without injuries. The vehicle burst into flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V676000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.
9/11/2013 at approximately 9:25 am est my 2008 BMW 335i spontaneously caught fire from what seems to be an electrical problem in the dash board area. I was making my daily commute to work when the ac unit shut off and then turned back on with thick black smoke pouring into the cabin of the car. Naturally I rolled the windows down to allow the smoke to clear so that I could pull over out of traffic. This made matters worse, the smoke thickened, the horn started honking as if someone was holding the horn down, as I was pulling the car over to the side of the road the smoke became unbearable, I was fortunate to escape the car as the fire ripped into the cabin consuming the entire vehicle within just minutes. The car is now totaled and my insurance is investigating. My query is what if I had other people in my car? What if my car was in my garage? What if I had younger children in the car? …
I had noticed a melting plastic smell for a few weeks but couldn't identify the source and shortly after this my headlight burnt out so I went to replace the bulb. By this time, I noticed smoke coming out of my headlight mount. Upon opening the headlight I noticed all of the wire shielding had fallen off of the wires inside the headlight mount, causing the wires to ark and melt. Upon comparing against the other headlight, I found the same thing- all of the wire shielding had fallen off. I went to the dealer and was told that this happens all the time, simply due to how hot and dry this model gets under the hood and the headlights being sealed. They said it's usually covered by the extended warranty, however not in the case of my vehicle's mileage. …
Went to replace an obviously burned out brand new xenon HID ballast. Confused about why it burned up(failure rate of 1 per 1,000 quoted by the manufacturer) I took off the back cover for the housing. To my surprise, the power cable's that plugs into the HID ballast insulation was completely gone. Bare. Wires. This is obviously an extreme fire and safety hazard. Curious if my other headlight wiring was the same way, I popped the back housing of it to inspect for another hazard. Lord and behold, it was exactly the same way. Not just the power supply insulation on the wires for the ballast was chipping, all of it was chipping. The drl, angel eye and turn maker wiring insulation was all..gone. Someone had recently discovered this issue beforehand as there was electrical tape & solder on some of the wires keeping them together. ---------------------------- this is a fire hazard! …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 BMW 335i. The contact was not notified by the manufacturer that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V676000 (electrical system). The recall was issued on October 25, 2017. Without warning, smoke appeared from under the hood and a fire started. A passerby extinguished the flames. The fire inspector arrived and was unable to determine the cause of the fire. The vehicle was damaged extensively and towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was notified of the recall by the manufacturer after the fire occurred. The failure mileage was not available. * (recall related incident) ts
An oil leak from the top mounted oil filter housing spilled onto the rubber accessory belt causing it to overheat and disintegrate. The result was a total loss of all powers, most importantly the loss of electrical charging and power steering. This occurred at high speed while I was driving on the pennsylvania turnpike. The loss of power steering created a situation where the auto was nearly impossible to steer. The loss of the charging system, alternator not charging, caused an eventual complete shutdown of power and shutdown of the engine leaving me on the side of a highway. This was an expensive repair, but fortunately I was able to avoid a collision. This occurred at only a 65,000 mile odometer reading.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 BMW 335i. The contact stated that the air conditioner inadvertently failed to function when attempted to be used. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V676000 (electrical system); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to lauderdale BMW-Mini service center (2601 s andrews ave, fort lauderdale, fl 33316), but the parts were not available for the repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Wiring
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017.
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013.
Electrical complaints in other 335i years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 BMW 335i?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 BMW 335i, 17% of the model year's 201 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › front underhood (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 BMW 335i electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-676 (wiring, Oct 25, 2017); NHTSA recall 13V-044 (fuses and circuit breakers, Feb 7, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 BMW 335i electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 5 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.