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2008 BMW 528I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most 528I years

Owner complaints for the 2008 BMW 528I are substantially higher than the model-year median of 46.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all 528I years →

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

86 reports with mileage · 32 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.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports16 fire reports2 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

14 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2023
Fuel/propulsion System

For a while now, I had been smelling gas around the car. I had it smogged and it passed but the technician told me that it smelled as if it were running rich because he smelled gas. It did not make sense to me that it could be running rich because it would not have passed smog then. I went to the supermarket recently and as I…

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For a while now, I had been smelling gas around the car. I had it smogged and it passed but the technician told me that it smelled as if it were running rich because he smelled gas. It did not make sense to me that it could be running rich because it would not have passed smog then. I went to the supermarket recently and as I came out, I saw a small puddle of liquid under the left rear seating area. I touched it and smelled it and it was gas. My car leaves a little puddle of gas wherever I park now. I just saw a video on YouTube called "My BMW 535i has a fuel leak." That has been the problem a lot of people are having with their biodegradable BMW plastics. In the video, the young man describes that the fuel filter starts leaking and he has to spend $190.00 in parts. I don't have that money to be throwing away right now. Please look into and help us out.

NHTSA ODI #11511061

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2021
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

The car started to leak gas from the tank.

NHTSA ODI #11422314

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

I NOTICE MY CAR TAKING LONGER TO START WITH THE PUSH BOTTOM THEN I NOTICE A STRONG SMELL OF GAS WHILE THE AC STARTED SO I CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND THE SMELL GOT STRONGER. SO NOW I WANT TO NOW WHY IT'S HAPPENING. THANKBUOU

NHTSA ODI #11192111

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

MY CAR HAD AN FUEL LEAK WHICH HAD TO BE REPAIRED ASAP

NHTSA ODI #11105020

95,000 miles · Jun 13, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL SENDING UNIT CRACKED LEAKING FUEL AND SMELL. REPLACED AT BMW DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #11101642

155,745 miles · Jun 7, 2018
Fuel System, GasolineFuel/propulsion System

ON 01/26/2018 I WENT TO EAST BAY BMW BECAUSE OF THE PCV VALVE HEATER RECALL CAMPAIGN B 11 16 17 I WAS GIVEN A LONG TERM RENTAL FROM ENTERPRISE CAR RENTAL BUT HAD TO STORE MY VEHICLE AT MY HOME WHILE WAITING FOR THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AFTER 4 MONTHS I WAS NOTIFIED TO RETURN FOR THE REPAIR ON 04/30/2018 EAST BAY RETURN…

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ON 01/26/2018 I WENT TO EAST BAY BMW BECAUSE OF THE PCV VALVE HEATER RECALL CAMPAIGN B 11 16 17 I WAS GIVEN A LONG TERM RENTAL FROM ENTERPRISE CAR RENTAL BUT HAD TO STORE MY VEHICLE AT MY HOME WHILE WAITING FOR THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AFTER 4 MONTHS I WAS NOTIFIED TO RETURN FOR THE REPAIR ON 04/30/2018 EAST BAY RETURNED THE CAR. WITH-IN 2 DAY'S I WAS HAVING THE O2 SENSOR REPLACED FROM A CERTIFIED BMW MECHANIC AND AFTER EXAMINATION HE INFORMED ME THE RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS NOT PERFORMED ACCORDING BULLETIN. ORIGINAL PARTS FROM THE ALTERNATOR WERE STILL ON MY CAR AND HAD NEVER BEEN REMOVED. REMOVING THE ALTERNATOR AND REPLACING THE BOLTS, CHECKING/REPLACING PARTS FOR DAMAGE WAS NEVER PERFORMED. I RETURNED TO EAST BAY THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY TO CONFRONT THE MANAGER WORKING HIS NAME IS [XXX], HE ADMITTED TO HAVE A MECHANIC WHO COULD REACH TO REPLACE THE VALVE HEATER WITHOUT REMOVAL OF THE OTHER PARTS SPECIFIED IN THE CAMPAIGN. THE INTAKE IS AN ALTERNATE ROUTE FOR THE REPAIR BUT WOULD COMPROMISE MY ENGINE. I PLACED A CALL TO BMW USA AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND PARTS/PAPERWORK RETURNED BY EAST BAY FOR THE RECALL WERE STILL ON MY CAR AND A EMISSION PROOF OF CORRECTION WAS NEVER RECEIVED. I WOULD RETURN TO EAST BAY AND SPEAK WITH THE STORE SERVICE MANAGER [XXX]. I INFORMED HIM WHAT HAPPENED AND REQUEST TO HAVE THE RECALL RE-DONE AT A DEALER OF MY CHOICE, HAVE A SMOG TEST, RECEIVE PROOF OF CORRECTION AT HIS COST. I ALSO HAD HIM WARRANT MY ENGINE FOR 2 ADDITIONAL YRS FOR COMPROMISING MY ENGINE AS HE COULD NOT DEMONSTRATE THE WAY THEY DID THE RECALL WHEN I REQUESTED. MY CAR WENT TO BMW OF SF FOR RECALL TO BE DONE ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN, I HAVE ATTACHED INVOICES, PROOF OF CORRECTION, SMOG TEST, ENGINE WARRANTY AND METHOD OF PAYMENT FROM EAST BAY. IF THEY ADMITTED TO CHEATING THE RECALL REPAIR TO ME YOU CAN BELIEVE THEY DID THIS TO A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TR

NHTSA ODI #11100456

140,000 miles · Dec 8, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

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.

NHTSA ODI #11053530

93,000 miles · Oct 14, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

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.

NHTSA ODI #11033374

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

GAS LEAKAGE HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10948862

61,800 miles · Jul 28, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS DETECTED IN OUR GARAGE. UPON CHECKING OUR CLASSIC AUTOMOBILE AND RULING IT OUT WE THEN REALIZED IT WAS OUR 2008 BMW 528I WITH 61,800 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. THE ODOR WAS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. WE HAD TO REMOVE THE CAR FROM THE GARAGE WHERE IT NORMALLY PARKS NEAR A GAS WATER HEATER SO AS TO AVOID …

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STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS DETECTED IN OUR GARAGE. UPON CHECKING OUR CLASSIC AUTOMOBILE AND RULING IT OUT WE THEN REALIZED IT WAS OUR 2008 BMW 528I WITH 61,800 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. THE ODOR WAS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. WE HAD TO REMOVE THE CAR FROM THE GARAGE WHERE IT NORMALLY PARKS NEAR A GAS WATER HEATER SO AS TO AVOID POSSIBLE IGNITION WITHIN THE CONFINES OF OUR GARAGE. I THEN SEARCHED ON THE INTER NET : "WHY DOES MY 2008 BMW 528I SMELL LIKE GAS ALL THE SUDDEN", TO MY SURPRISE THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF POSTS WITHIN BIMMER FORUMS AND OTHERWISE REGARDING THIS VERY ISSUE. WHAT GAVE ME PAUSE IS THAT IN MY SITUATION AS WITH MANY OTHERS, AN ENGINE AND OR EMISSIONS FAULT CODE WAS NEVER SENT TO THE MAIN SCREEN FOR THE OPERATOR TO IDENTIFY AND TAKE IT IN FOR REPAIRS. I CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND GAVE THIS INFORMATION AND ASKED IF ANY RECALLS OR BULLETINS WERE RECORDED AND WAS TOLD THERE WEREN'T. I THEN CALLED MY LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP HERE IN TUCSON, AZ. AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THERE WAS IN FACT A NOTE REGARDING THE CHAR COAL CANISTER BEING UNABLE TO PROCESS THE GASOLINE FUMES WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES REACH OR EXCEED 100-101 DEGREES FARENHEIT. IT HAS BEEN IN THAT RANGE HERE NOW FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS. I NOW AS OF 28 JULY 2016 HAVE MY CAR IN THE BMW SHOP FOR REPAIRS AND WHAT THEY FOUND WAS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS LEAKING THROUGH THE TOP OF THE TANK AND A PUDDLE OF GAS HAS FORMED. AGAIN WHY NO ENGINE CODES WHEN A SEALED SYSTEM FAULTS AND LEAKS AND A KNOWN ISSUE LIKE THE CHAR COAL CANISTER EXISTS. MY HOPE IS THAT THIS AGENCY INVESTIGATES AND ISSUES A RECALL NOTICE. I AM GOING TO BE CHARGED $700.00+ FOR AN ISSUE WHICH IS WIDELY KNOWN OF ACROSS THE WEB AND WHICH MY DEALERSHIP FOUND NOT ALL THAT UNUSUAL. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10891501

Official recalls

2

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.

13V407000 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Sep 11, 2013

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).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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 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.