AI Damage2008 BMW 6 Series: common problems
Owners of the 2008 BMW 6 Series filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and electronic stability control. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 50% of all complaints
- 2 Electronic stability control 33% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 17% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 17% of all complaints
- 5 Seats 17% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 17% of all complaints
- 7 Tires 17% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (50% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 2 complaints (33% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Seats: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4.8 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Convertible top locks up randomly, get message to reduce speed due to top not being locked when it was fine the "ride" before, try to "lock", then windows go halfway down and stay stuck that way. This happens when in motion, on street or highway.
Shows the bmw logo then screen goes blank and keeps cycling the same way. The nav, radio, bluetooth, cd and the sos light error in the cluster. Safety alarks are all disabled and the vehicle is unable to detect or report if objects are near the bumper or sides of the vehicle.
Vehicle would not maintain speed in 3-4 gear, would go into limp mode. Had to have the transmission replace with only 25,000 miles on the vehicle.
2nd time this has occurred in pouring rain while driving. I have a rag top convertible bmw that when it is pouring rain..water somehow permeates the back of the car and "fries" the electrical components as I am driving..
Bridgestone potenza 245-40-r19 94w major sidewall failure, 3 inch section of tire from bead of tire at rim surface looks as if bead failed and side wall torn away from bead towards tread, no sidewall or rim impact damage and torn outward from rim towards tread indicating sidewall material failure on 2008 bmw oe tire…
While passenger is in the vehicle the passenger airbag off light stays lit, meaning that the airbag is off even though there is a person in the seat, that person in the seat in my son that weighs about 225 lbs. My local dealership replaced the whole passenger seat and sensor.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,278 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 6 Series has 4 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 6, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW 6 Series?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, electronic stability control, air bags. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: loss of power / limp mode (17%), infotainment or screen glitches (17%), windows, sunroof (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2008 BMW 6 Series?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2008 BMW 6 Series from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2008 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.