KnownCarProblems2008 BMW 328xi Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 99 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 BMW 328xi, most often about the electrical (47% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about 328xi model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2008 BMW 328xi problems
Electrical
46 complaints · 47%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring.
My wife was driving home from work on the highway at night and her entire car just shut off without warning nearly causing her to be killed by a tractor trailer we had car towed to BMW dealership and they say valvetronic sensor/seal issue...but this was scary and nearly killed my wife so I felt compelled to report…
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328xi. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and occurred on several occasions. The manufacturer was not notified. The…
Engine
38 complaints · 38%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
My wife was driving home from work on the highway at night and her entire car just shut off without warning nearly causing her to be killed by a tractor trailer we had car towed to BMW dealership and they say valvetronic sensor/seal issue...but this was scary and nearly killed my wife so I felt compelled to report…
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17v676000 (electrical system) and 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
Air bags
16 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 117,000 miles.
I have received an initial recall letter from BMW in march of 2016. They still do not have parts to service this automobile to correct the recall.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328xi. On several occasions, while driving, the RPM needle dropped and then returned to normal. The vehicle shook and stalled. On several other occasions, the vehicle failed to start. The contact mentioned that the passenger side air bag and seat belt indicator illuminated. The contact was…
Other or unspecified
12 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 53,500 miles.
Doors will not unlock using the key fob or central locking button http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/b511907g.htm situation one or more of the doors may not unlock when using the remote key outside the vehicle, or the central locking button inside the car. It is still possible, however, to unlock the door by…
On the morning of july 25th, 2015, my friend went to pick me up from newark liberty international airport in my 2008 BMW 328 xi coupe. My car has been parked at her home in fairfield, nj for approximately 7 days while I was away on business. She drove my car to the airport from fairfield, which is approximately 35…
Fuel system
9 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles.
Car shutoff completely in the middle of traffic. Got it towed to the dealership and they stated that the fuel line came off which is located above the fuel tank. No way anybody can get to it without taking off the fuel tank. Fortunately I was not driving at a high speed and on the highway. The fuel line could have…
Experienced same problem noted in NHTSA campaign # 14v176000. Vanos bolt sheared off, connected to the intake camshaft, then timing chain broke and came off.
Transmission
6 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles.
Heard a loud bang from engine compartment, passenger side. Subsequent left turns resulted in a thud with each revolution of the tire from the same area. Suspected cv joint. Took it into shop, and mechanic found that two right side engine mount bolts had corroded and sheared. Bolts are aluminum and engine block is…
My wife was driving home from work on the highway at night and her entire car just shut off without warning nearly causing her to be killed by a tractor trailer we had car towed to BMW dealership and they say valvetronic sensor/seal issue...but this was scary and nearly killed my wife so I felt compelled to report…
Body and structure
6 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 77,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Door failed, unable to open from inside, outside or through key. I am an r&d engineer and upon evaluating the failure mode of the door I am concerned at a operators ability to escape a vehicle that is disabled and in a dangerous state. I would be surprised f this defect cannot be linked to fatalities.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328xi. Ever since the vehicle was purchased, the front end vibrated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine mount bracket bolts were fractured. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was…
Lights
4 complaints · 4%Recall campaign lamps in rear quarter panel. Lights on all the time. Took into BMW passport to fix. They charged me 277.75 to fix and now with a recall on the same issue they are not reimbursing me. I have receipts of repair, also recall notice and date I took in, their own receipt shows no fixing as taken care of…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 BMW 328xi recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or m-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
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, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xdrive and m3, 2009-2011 335d, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xdrive, 2010-2011 x6 activehybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, m3 coupes, x5 30si, x5 xdrive30i, x5 xdrive35i, x5 48i, x5 xdrive48i, x5 xdrive50i and x5 m, 2009-2013 x5 xdrive35d and 2008-2014 x6 xdrive35i, x6 xdrive50i and x6m vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (psan) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradat
Electrical: wiring
Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on november 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
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. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2008 BMW 328xi
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW 328xi?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (46 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); engine (38 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); air bags (16 complaints, typically around 117,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 BMW 328xi have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 3, 2024 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the BMW 328xi?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about 328xi model year since 2000, with 99 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.