Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
525–50K
2350–75K
2075–100K
27100–150K
9150K+
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
65,000 miles · Oct 3, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
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 WAS DRIVEN. …
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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 WAS DRIVEN. I LOOKED AT THE LIGHTING HOUSING AND DISCOVERED THAT BOTH THE PLUG AND HOUSING HAD MELTED DUE TO A BROWN WIRE. I WILL BE TAKING THE CAR TO THE SHOP TOMORROW TO GET FIXED BUT IT SEEMS MORE DAMAGE COULD HAVE BEEN DONE UNLESS I DISCOVERED THE EXISTENCE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10478495
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline
I SMELL GAS AND ITS STRONG I DON'T SEE ANY LEAKS OF ANY KIND AND WHEN I PUT GAS IN THE CAR I DON'T SEE LEAKS, BUT I SMELL GAS EVEN IF I HAVEN'T PUT GAS IN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10478119
32,400 miles · Aug 6, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire
THE 8 PIN CONNECTOR TO THE RIGHT REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLY MELTED. TURN SIGNAL, BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING ONE WIRE SEEMS CORRODED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10469422
33,000 miles · Jul 30, 2012
Exterior Lighting
THE GROUNDING WIRE IN THE CONNECTOR TO THE TAIL LIGHT BULB HOLDER MELTED AND MELTED PARTS OF THE CONNECTOR. THIS RESULTED IN NO SIGNAL, BRAKE AND RUNNING REAR LIGHTS. A RECALL HAS BEEN CALLED FOR BMW E46 3 SERIES FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER THE 5 SERIES AS WELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10468369
50,200 miles · Jun 4, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire
THE 8 PIN CONNECTOR TO THE REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLY MELTED. TURN SIGNAL, BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10460537
32,000 miles · May 7, 2012
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V126000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR WERE ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V126000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR WERE ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
NHTSA ODI #10457693
55,000 miles · Feb 25, 2012
Exterior Lighting
GROUND WIRE FOR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT BURNED UP. GROUND WIRE, BOTH SIDES OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR, AND TAIL LIGHT BULB HOLDER ALL BURNED UP. PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT, TAIL LIGHT, TURN SIGNAL AND BACK UP LIGHT DO NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. IMPROPERLY RATED FUSE DID NOT BLOW BEFORE CIRCUIT BURNED UP AND MELTED. THIS CIRCUIT IS NOT …
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GROUND WIRE FOR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT BURNED UP. GROUND WIRE, BOTH SIDES OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR, AND TAIL LIGHT BULB HOLDER ALL BURNED UP. PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT, TAIL LIGHT, TURN SIGNAL AND BACK UP LIGHT DO NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. IMPROPERLY RATED FUSE DID NOT BLOW BEFORE CIRCUIT BURNED UP AND MELTED. THIS CIRCUIT IS NOT DESIGNED CORRECTLY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO MYSELF AND ANYONE DRIVING BEHIND ME. CAR MODEL IS A 2008 528I. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10449334
22,600 miles · Feb 13, 2012
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS. FIRST TIME WAS ON INTERSTATE 95. THE CAR STALLED IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND I WAS LUCKY IN PULLING CAR ONTO SHOULDER. WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON TO INDICATE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE TAKEN TO A BMW DEALER TO BE FIXED. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE CAR STALLS AND MUST BE PULLED O…
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TRANSMISSION FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS. FIRST TIME WAS ON INTERSTATE 95. THE CAR STALLED IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND I WAS LUCKY IN PULLING CAR ONTO SHOULDER. WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON TO INDICATE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE TAKEN TO A BMW DEALER TO BE FIXED. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE CAR STALLS AND MUST BE PULLED OVER TO THE ROAD SHOULDER. THIS ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION IS PROBLEMATIC AND A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN THE CAR STALLS YOU MUST BE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD; IF NOT YOU COULD BE KILLED, ESPECIALLY WHEN TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A BMW DEALER TO BE FIXED. HOWEVER, THE SAME TRANSMISSION INCIDENT HAPPENED FEBRUARY 4, 2012 AND I WAS CAUGHT IN TRAFFIC NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT MODERATE AND HIGH SPEEDS. MY CONCERN IS THAT I COULD BE KILLED IF I AM UNABLE GET THE STALLED CAR PULLED TO THE SHOULDER OFF THE ROAD. *TR
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.
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.
2008 BMW 528I Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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