At a glance

Reported mileage99,244 mi

LocationCa, USA

ColorWhite

Last listed price$10,000

Open recalls3

Vehicle identity & specifications

Make

BMW

Model

3 Series

Year

2008

Trim

328i

Body style

Sedan/Saloon

Vehicle type

PASSENGER CAR

Engine

3.0L 6-cyl 230 hp

Cylinders

6

Fuel type

Gasoline

Doors

4

Assembly plant

MUNICH, GERMANY

Manufacturer

BMW AG

What's a 2008 BMW 3 Series worth?

What comparable 2008 BMW 3 Series vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.

Low

$7,200

Typical price

$11,039

High

$14,900

Most 2008 BMW 3 Series listings fall between $7,200 and $14,900, from 644 comparable cars.

Is the seller's price fair? Get this exact VIN's current market value — retail, trade-in & loan value — in the full report.

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Full vehicle history report

$14.99 USD · one-time

What a full report checks for VIN WBAVC53538F009721

⚠️ 3 open safety recalls — shown above, free 🔒 Title & brand records 🔒 Accident & damage history 🔒 Salvage, total-loss & theft 🔒 Odometer & owner count 🔒 Liens & market valuation

A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.

📜 Title status Clean, salvage, rebuilt, junk, flood or lemon

🏷️ Title brand history Every brand ever applied, by state

🧾 Number of owners How many registrations on record

🛞 Odometer readings Reported mileage over time

🔎 Rollback check Mileage inconsistency / tamper flags

💥 Accident & damage Reported collisions and damage events

🚧 Total-loss records Insurance total-loss declarations

♻️ Salvage & auction Salvage-yard and auction history

🚓 Theft records Reported / recovered theft events

🏦 Liens & impounds Outstanding liens or impound records

🏷️ Sale & listing history Past marketplace and dealer listings

💰 Market valuation Estimated value for this exact spec

Unlock full report — $14.99 → or get up to 20 reports a month for $19.99/mo → One-time purchase · permanent access · VIN WBAVC53538F009721

Safety recalls 3

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of …

Remedy: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.

NHTSA Campaign #12E029000 · 10/08/2012

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

BMW IS RECALLING 2,350 MY 2008 1-SERIES AND 3- SERIES PASSENGER CARS. INCORRECT CRIMP CONNECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE SIDE AIR BAG AND BELT TENSIONER WIRING. AS A RESULT SUFFICIENT CONTACT BETWEEN THE CRIMP CONNECTORS AND THE CORRESPONDING PLUG MAY NOT OCCUR WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF THAT CONNECTION.

Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA Campaign #09V257000 · 08/07/2009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Ser…

Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V

NHTSA Campaign #22V119000 · 02/03/2022

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Common problems & what to inspect

Based on 690 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 BMW 3 Series, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.

🔥 1 involved a fire

Engine 4 reports

🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

Electrical System 3 reports

🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Air Bags 3 reports

🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

Fuel/propulsion System 3 reports

🔍 Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

Visibility/wiper 2 reports

🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Seats 1 report

🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Pre-purchase checklist

Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.

Owner complaints 690

Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2008 BMW 3 Series.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

"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 do…

NHTSA ODI #11733910

AIR BAGS,ENGINE

RECALL OMISSION & SAFETY DISPUTE (Case #10683843): I am reporting two documented safety defects in my 2008 BMW 328i (N51 engine) that are identical to existing Federal Safety Recalls but have been omitted from the recall VIN list for this model year. 1. AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE (Recall 17V-428): The vehicle has a confirmed Fault Code 93C3 (Passenger Seat Occu…

NHTSA ODI #11721868

AIR BAGS,SEATS

The vehicle’s "Passenger Airbag Off" light and dashboard SRS warning lamp are illuminated. A diagnostic scan using a BMW-specific tool confirms manufacturer Fault Code 93C3 (Passenger Seat Occupancy Detector). This indicates a hardware failure of the OC3 internal seat sensor mat. Safety Risk: The failure of this sensor prevents the vehicle from correctly id…

NHTSA ODI #11711445

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The wipers will wipe 5-6 times then stop. Sometimes mid windshield. Does not reset at any setting on the washer arm. Leads to an urgent stop on side of the road. It is available for inspection. I have tested while sitting in driveway and it does every time (of the 4 times I tested). Only way to reset is to turn off motor and remove key. No confirmation…

NHTSA ODI #11695666

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the PCV heater needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number:…

NHTSA ODI #11669558

TIRES

225/40R18 the stoplight right down route 7 by stop and shop there is a rectangular hole in the street. I could not avoid it when driving Friday morning 4/25/25 and the dip in the ground blew my driver side front and rear tires and scratched the rims. I had to spend my day Friday getting my tires replaced and now I have scratches on my rims which are fairly n…

NHTSA ODI #11657027

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328XI. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the air bag deployed unintendedly. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated prior to the air bag deployment. The air bag deployed, and there was no occupant inside the vehicle. The contact stated that after the air bag had deployed, the air bag warning l…

NHTSA ODI #11655170