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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
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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

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

What owners actually said

118 reports
113,000 miles · May 20, 2014
Engine

TL* 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 MANUFACTURER …

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TL* 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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #10592855

65,000 miles · Apr 13, 2014
Air BagsSeat Belts

DURING AN AUTOMATED CAR WASH, THE FOLLOWING WARNING DISPLAYS: "FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAIN SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER, OR BELT FORCE LIMITER". THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT BECOME ACTIVATED WHEN THIS HAPPENS AS WELL. THE WARNING MESSAGE WILL STAY ON FOR HOURS AFTER THE CAR GETS MODERATELY WET, EITHER IN A RAIN ST…

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DURING AN AUTOMATED CAR WASH, THE FOLLOWING WARNING DISPLAYS: "FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAIN SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER, OR BELT FORCE LIMITER". THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT BECOME ACTIVATED WHEN THIS HAPPENS AS WELL. THE WARNING MESSAGE WILL STAY ON FOR HOURS AFTER THE CAR GETS MODERATELY WET, EITHER IN A RAIN STORM OR A CAR WASH. EVEN IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND THEN TURNED BACK ON THE MESSAGE AND ERRORS WILL PERSIST. IT TAKES ABOUT 8-10 HOURS FOR THE ERROR TO GO AWAY. THIS HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY AND IS EASILY REPEATABLE. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS APRIL 13, 2014, WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A RAIN STORM. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10579456

71,000 miles · Apr 12, 2014
Power Train

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. *JS 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…

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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. *JS 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 A STOP. IT REQUIRES ME TO PUT IT BACK INTO PARK AND TURN IT OFF SOMETIMES AND THEN START IT AGAIN. I THOUGHT I MIGHT BE DOING SOMETHING WRONG UNTIL I READ ALL THESE OTHER POSTS SO I HAVEN'T REPORTED IT TIL NOW. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I ALWAYS START SLOW NOW FEARFUL THAT IT WILL JUMP INTO P AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED. I COULD BE IN A PARKING LOT OR ANYWHERE, MOVING BACKWARD OR FORWARD WHEN THIS HAPPENS.

NHTSA ODI #10579344

78,000 miles · Apr 8, 2014
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING BECAME ABNORMALLY FOGGY. THE BULB ALSO LOOKED AS IF IT WAS FOGGY AND BUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE DEFAULT. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING BECAME ABNORMALLY FOGGY. THE BULB ALSO LOOKED AS IF IT WAS FOGGY AND BUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE DEFAULT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10578394

94,326 miles · Feb 21, 2014
Unknown Or Other

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 ANY CODES…

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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 ANY CODES. I FIND IT TO BE A SAFETY HAZZARD BECAUSE AS I STATED BEFORE, I'M IN TRAFFIC AND AS I TURN LEFT/RIGHT, IM UNABLE TO MOVE WHILE THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME IS APPORACHING.

NHTSA ODI #10565248

65,000 miles · Jan 27, 2014
Power Train

FOR THE PAST MONTH, MY CAR, A 2008 BMW 528 I (AUTOMATIC) WOULD SLIP OUT OF REVERSE (R) INTO PARK (P) AS I WAS ACCELERATING BACKWARD FROM A DEAD STOP. THE STEPTRONIC GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM WOULD DO THIS APPROXIMATELY 30% OF THE TIME, AND CAUSE THE CAR TO JERK TO A STOP. IT WOULD REQUIRE ME TO PUT IT BACK INTO DRIVE AND START AGAIN.…

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FOR THE PAST MONTH, MY CAR, A 2008 BMW 528 I (AUTOMATIC) WOULD SLIP OUT OF REVERSE (R) INTO PARK (P) AS I WAS ACCELERATING BACKWARD FROM A DEAD STOP. THE STEPTRONIC GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM WOULD DO THIS APPROXIMATELY 30% OF THE TIME, AND CAUSE THE CAR TO JERK TO A STOP. IT WOULD REQUIRE ME TO PUT IT BACK INTO DRIVE AND START AGAIN. EVENTUALLY AS I KEEP DRIVING AND I'M AT A STOP LIGHT OR SITTING IDLE, THE "TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION" MESSAGE WOULD POP UP ON MY LCD AND THEN THE GEAR WOULD GO INTO NEUTRAL AND STOP DRIVING ALL TOGETHER. THIS CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS SOMETIMES I WAS IN AN INTERSECTION WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM IS FAULTY! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561724

65,000 miles · Jan 27, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK AND CRACK IN THE TRANSMISSION OIL PAN AND THE ELECTRONIC SLEEVE. THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK AND CRACK IN THE TRANSMISSION OIL PAN AND THE ELECTRONIC SLEEVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10561720

30,342 miles · Jan 3, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE TANK VENT VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE TANK VENT VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS 30,342. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558390

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2013
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL AND ALL OF EXTERIOR LIGHTNING WOULD NOT FUNCTION UPON ENGAGING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE EXACT REPAIRS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL AND ALL OF EXTERIOR LIGHTNING WOULD NOT FUNCTION UPON ENGAGING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE EXACT REPAIRS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V407000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10548976

54,240 miles · Sep 18, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

PASSENGER SIDE REAR TAIL LIGHT (BACK UP AND TURN SIGNAL) WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR MELTED. PER NTBSB AND WEB SEARCH, NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE HAD EXACT SAME PROBLEM. DASH INDICATED THAT FIRST TAIL LIGHT FAILED, THEN BACK UP LIGHT FAILED. INSPECTION SHOWED MELTED WIRE CONNECTOR. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE TH…

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PASSENGER SIDE REAR TAIL LIGHT (BACK UP AND TURN SIGNAL) WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR MELTED. PER NTBSB AND WEB SEARCH, NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE HAD EXACT SAME PROBLEM. DASH INDICATED THAT FIRST TAIL LIGHT FAILED, THEN BACK UP LIGHT FAILED. INSPECTION SHOWED MELTED WIRE CONNECTOR. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. WAS NEARLY COLLIDED WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN.

NHTSA ODI #10544237

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.