KnownCarProblems2008 BMW 528i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 118 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 BMW 528i, most often about the engine (30% of complaints, typically around 112,000 miles). It is the most complained-about 528i model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2008 BMW 528i problems
Engine
35 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 112,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528i. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled. The vehicle was restarted and resumed as normal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the eccentric shaft sensor failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528i. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a burning plastic odor throughout the vehicle and a dark gray cloud of smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact then received notification of NHTSA campaign…
Lights
33 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 66,500 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, turn signal, brake lights.
Warning came on that the right rear tail light malfunctioned. Within the next few days the warning went away but then came back intermittently and also stated that the right rear brake light and turn signal had malfunctioned. These warnings were intermittent. About a week later the signals came on every time the car…
I turned my car on and it instantly notified me that my taillight was out. Then I stepped out and tapped the taillight and it went back on then I took it to the dealership the next day now they are saying the connectors are burnt and they want me to pay 200$ to repair something that the manufacture should of corrected…
Electrical
30 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles.
Headlight wiring inside headlight assembly is deteriorating badly. The protective coating is cracking and flaking off leaving the exposed copper core which in turn shorts out the lights. Possible fire hazard as well.
Wiring of front headlights flaking off and exposing bare wire. The short of the wires caused the plastic of holding headlamp to bubble and melt as a consequence.
Transmission
15 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 76,500 miles.
For the past 8 months, my car, a 2008 BMW 528i slips out of drive (d) into park (p) as I was backing up & moving forward either from a parking position or as I begin to accelerate from a stop. The gear shift would go from (d) into (p) and cause the car to jerk to a rapid stop. It makes a horrible noise as it grinds to…
I live in the state of virginia. I have been experiencing the same issues with my 2008 BMW for about a month now. My coworker has the same year make and model, and is also experiencing or has experienced the same issues. We both have had our cars in the shop at the same time and the vehicles are now repaired. The…
Fuel system
15 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles.
When the car is running gasoline smell enters the car cabin. No visual leaks at engine but if air vent is not drawing fresh air no smell is evident. When turning the car off and exiting the vechile the fuel odor is present for short while.
Car power suddenly stops without warning. Usually happens when I'm either driving or when I am idle; when driving it just stops, and when I am in idle, it vibrates vigorously and then stops.
Air bags
14 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.
I have a 2008 528i and I got an error message saying the passenger restraint system, or air bag had an error regardless of a passenger present or not any time that car is turned on. I researched it and it seems that this problem is quite common on bmws and I feel as its an issue with the production of the car and the…
Car has passenger restraint system malfuction since fabrication.was never handled. I am new owner and trying to get to the bottom of this.many people have this issue with this modell and apparently there was a recall for it but my VIN doesnt fall under it. Very frustrating and dangerous.
Seat belts
9 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 100,500 miles. Parts named most often: rear/other.
I have a 2008 528i and I got an error message saying the passenger restraint system, or air bag had an error regardless of a passenger present or not any time that car is turned on. I researched it and it seems that this problem is quite common on bmws and I feel as its an issue with the production of the car and the…
Car has passenger restraint system malfuction since fabrication.was never handled. I am new owner and trying to get to the bottom of this.many people have this issue with this modell and apparently there was a recall for it but my VIN doesnt fall under it. Very frustrating and dangerous.
Other or unspecified
7 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles.
When driving last week, we heard heavy clunking sounds. We took the car to a mechanic to investigate the noise, and he identified the the frame sway bar mount had sheered off where the sway bar to frame mount is. The mechanic asked if the car had been in an accident. We bought it used in 2012, and there was no report…
My 2008 528i has a delay in acceleration when making a turn into traffic. The car will start to shake and jerk as I lightly apply the gas pedal. The enigine light has come twice during an acoourence and then went out as I continued to drive. Just had the car at the dealership and they found no faults with the car or…
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 528i recalls
Engine: crankcase (pcv)
Risk: An electrical short can cause the parts within the pcv valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pcv valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on november 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of october 2018. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xdrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, x3 3.0si, x3 xdrive30i, x5 xdrive30i, z4 3.0i, z4 3.0si and z4 sdrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) valve may short circuit.
Lights: tail lights
Risk: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact bmw customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email bmw at [email protected].
Full defect summary
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and m5 passenger cars manufactured from march 1, 2007, through december 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
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 528i
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW 528i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (35 complaints, typically around 112,000 miles); lights (33 complaints, typically around 66,500 miles); electrical (30 complaints, typically around 95,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 BMW 528i have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 30, 2017 (engine). 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 528i?
- It is the most complained-about 528i model year since 2000, with 118 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.