Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
As of recently I've been smelling a gas smell after driving my vehicle. No matter the distance or time I smelled the odor of gas. I am a certified automotive technician, so I decided to diagnose the problem myself. I put my vehicle in the air and spotted a wet spot of gas on the bottom left side of my fuel tank. To continue my diagnosis process I googled to see if anyone dealt with a similar issue. Seen a decent amount of people confirming the problem. A leak from the D/S fuel sending unit. So I take off my rear seats, and takeoff the fuel sending unit cover. Once the cover was off seen multiple cracks along side top of the unit. No warning lights was present, however did notice MPG was getting worse and worse. the little cracks makes my vehicle a fire hazard. I was able to have the replacement part ordered for about $140.
I am experiencing a know issue others have complained about related to the high pressure fuel injector failure in my vehicle. There have been previous recalls for this and my vehicle should fall within the recall dates and is showing all of the symptoms of this failure yet is it some how not part of the recall. What is happening is on cold starts or even idle the car is shaking and has a very apparent misfire, I have checked the spark plugs and they indeed have fuel on them. The injectors are causing excessive fuel in the cylinder this leads to a host of problems that are potentially, catastrophic like the engine seizing while driving due to oil dilution from the fuel
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. …
Car had fuel pump initially replaced when car still under the factory warranty. BMW na will try to avoid the absolute truth. Note injectors for the n54 engine are also on a world wide recall. Now the injection pump from a recall is being called extended warranty for 10 years or 120,000. Miles well it happened, got hit by a car from rear when my 335i stalled!!!!!! I was experiencing extended starts, followed by engine stalling repeatedly for 3 attempts then it will clear out. Now when light load is applied the engine light with the engine half graded out appears (reduced power), engine running violently rough codes comes up are p142e & p3090. They wanted me to replace my injectors first because they said I have "old injectors" note when hpfp was replaced they replaced the recalled injectors but they changed only 4 ! …
01may2020. Brought 2008 BMW 335i to south atlanta BMW dealership to replace rear brake pads (based on inspection report from a jan2020 appt). It was determined that: 1. Oil filter housing gasket: filter housing gaskets & oil cooler o-rings leaking oil 2. Radiator hose replacement. Upper coolant hose turning brown and seeping. 01may2020. Radiator hose was replaced along with conducting brake fluid flush and micro filter. Same day after repairs were complete the car stalls and shuts off and becomes unable to drive. Car is towed back to dealership for further inspection. Upon further inspection the following are identified: 1. Fuel pump replacement: r&r high pressure fuel pump & low pressure sensor per fault code 29f2 2.turbocharger - variable boost control solenoid: both vanos solenoids & oil change per sib. …
I was driving and all of a sudden I could not steer, and the power was gone; it was barely moving; and the light came on saying to continue to drive with diminished speed. I was close to home on an access road; and was able to limp home. It was almost impossible to turn the steering wheel. I took it to global BMW in metro atlanta; and paid close to $3000 for repairs. Approximately a month later I had a problem again. The light came on and stated engine malfunction; reduced power, proceed with caution. In doing research this morning; I discovered that there was a recall on my vehicle for this exact problem. I did not know it; but global BMW had to know it. I called BMW recall and they claim that they are waiting on the parts. This recall has been in effect since 2010; so they must have the parts. …
The high pressure fuel pump which was recalled and replaced in 2011 is problematic again. When pushing the gas pedal harder, the car stutters and does not respond to the extra power requested by flooring the gas pedal and makes put me in a dangerous situation. The 'service engine soon' light came up as well. I pulled the car over when I could, stopped and started the engine again and the "service engine" light disappeared. This is the same issue back in 2011 and recurring again. I suspect this has been there for a long time, but as my wife does not punch the gas as hard as me, she noticed this only on few occasions. I noticed this twice in the last month and so, called the stealership and logging a complaint here. In 2011, they said BMW extended the warranty to 10 years and so, this should be covered now as well, but the stealership abviously would not acknowledge. …
I was driving at 60 miles per hour on woodall rogers fwy in dallas, when my car started shaking and went into limp mode. I pulled over on the highway and could not get the car to start again. I had the car towed to BMW. They said it had nothing to do with a previous recall about the fuel pump and gave me a $3,000 quote. I had it towed to an independent shop where they replaced a water pump and other items. However, the recall information I have been reading describes exactly what happened to my car. Whenever I drive my car now and I accelerate, it still gives me an engine warning and starts shaking. I believe my car is "suffering" from the water pump issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 BMW 335i. The contact stated that the vehicle was extremely slow to pick up speed. The contact applied force to the accelerator pedal to pick up speed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the fuel pump assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
I was told by my mechanic my fuel injectors have gone bad and I believe this is from a manufacturer's issue. Please investigate as I know various people that have the same issue with the same engine, year and make. I took it to the shop after I turned it on to drive and the vehicle was shaking a bit more than normal, when I accelerated the car was very vaguely responding to me. This is why my vehicle began to misfire, because of the fuel injectors. I will keep all receipts until further notice of this issue.
Fuel System complaints in other 335i years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2008 BMW 335i?
NHTSA has 76 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2008 BMW 335i, 38% of the model year's 201 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 BMW 335i fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2008 BMW 335i, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 BMW 335i fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 27,000 miles, and 48% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion 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.