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2008 BMW 328I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most 328I years

Owner complaints for the 2008 BMW 328I are substantially higher than the model-year median of 98.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

129 reports with mileage · 110 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports22 fire reports9 injury reports

What owners actually said

239 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the engine was overheating. The vehicle was not diagnosed or re…

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The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the engine was overheating. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11467745

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of…

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The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI #11467335

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2022
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

Keep getting the p0015 code changed all sensors that come with code and I keep getting a high pitched noise once car gets hot.

NHTSA ODI #11466689

158,000 miles · Apr 26, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact stated that the vehicle would frequently surge while in idle position and she was smelling an abnormal oil odor. Upon opening the hood of the vehicle to determine the cause of the failure, the contact's husband noticed that oil was leaking from the valve cover gasket onto the engine …

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The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact stated that the vehicle would frequently surge while in idle position and she was smelling an abnormal oil odor. Upon opening the hood of the vehicle to determine the cause of the failure, the contact's husband noticed that oil was leaking from the valve cover gasket onto the engine compartment. The warning message "Service Due Soon", "Misfire in cylinder #1 and cylinder #4" and the temperature coolant warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the manifold, the manifold gasket, valve cover gasket, and valves needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced as well. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.

NHTSA ODI #11462338

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

2008 BMW XI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO THE PVC EMISSIONS SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER STATED A BURNING THICK SMOKE INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE EMITTED. THE DEALERSHIP DECLINED TO COVER THE REPAIRS UNDER RECALL CLAIMING THE VALVE COVER WAS NOT ORIGINAL TO THE VEHICLE. BUT, THE CONSUMER STATED THE VALVE COVER WAS ORIGINAL. THE CONS…

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2008 BMW XI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO THE PVC EMISSIONS SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER STATED A BURNING THICK SMOKE INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE EMITTED. THE DEALERSHIP DECLINED TO COVER THE REPAIRS UNDER RECALL CLAIMING THE VALVE COVER WAS NOT ORIGINAL TO THE VEHICLE. BUT, THE CONSUMER STATED THE VALVE COVER WAS ORIGINAL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS THE STATE'S EMISSIONS TEST.

NHTSA ODI #11461499

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not notified of the issue. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacture…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not notified of the issue. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.

NHTSA ODI #11461386

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made awar…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI #11461148

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Hello why you send me letters saying that , you guys gonna take my car away for what or why if its my car .If I don't have any warning or letters with the Police that say my car gonna be taking away for no reason !? that doesn't make sense to me cuz I'm not the only person who's driving a BMW car .My car is in good conditions, f…

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Hello why you send me letters saying that , you guys gonna take my car away for what or why if its my car .If I don't have any warning or letters with the Police that say my car gonna be taking away for no reason !? that doesn't make sense to me cuz I'm not the only person who's driving a BMW car .My car is in good conditions, few days ago I did the smoke check. the car pass everything clean. Like is weird that BMW dealership send me this letter to me , if my car is mine , I already pay off my car and I don't nothing to do with BMW dealership because everything is good with my car. So I need to cut off that warning that I have on my car and if you can contact me at this Phone number [XXX]. Like I said that doesn't make sense , taking my car away for no reason. And I already contact the hotline number that appears in the below of the papers , I spoke with some People about this problem but they trash , they can't solve anything. So I need somebody who knows about this and how to cut off the warning of my car thanks!! INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11460723

12,000 miles · Apr 8, 2022
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact stated upon turning off the vehicle after driving for approximately 2-3 hours, she smelled a burning plastic odor inside and outside of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The dealer and the manufacturer wer…

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The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact stated upon turning off the vehicle after driving for approximately 2-3 hours, she smelled a burning plastic odor inside and outside of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.

NHTSA ODI #11460178

102,000 miles · Mar 14, 2022
EngineFire

The contact owns a 2008 328i. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle was making abnormal sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated he smelled a burning odor and parked the vehicle. The contact looked under the hood and did not see any damage. The contact restarted the vehicle to drive home …

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The contact owns a 2008 328i. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle was making abnormal sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated he smelled a burning odor and parked the vehicle. The contact looked under the hood and did not see any damage. The contact restarted the vehicle to drive home and heard a loud noise coming from the engine and vehicle started overheating. After arriving home, the contact opened the hood and became aware that the hood insulation was missing, and the PCV hose was leaking oil. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000.

NHTSA ODI #11456653

Official recalls

5

24V513000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jul 3, 2024

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

Air Bags:frontal

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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

20V017000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2020

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 degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

17V683000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Oct 30, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

17V676000 · Electrical System:wiring

Oct 25, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

Remedy: 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.

13V044000 · Electrical System; Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables; Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Feb 7, 2013

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Electrical System

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.