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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
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2018
EngineUnknown Or Other

CAR STARTED SMOKING. REPAIR SHOP SAID IT'S A PROBLEM WITH PCV VALVE AND IF OVER HEATED CAN CAUSE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #11115122

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2018
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MOSS BMW OF LAFAYETTE (1401 LA 728-8, LA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MOSS BMW OF LAFAYETTE (1401 LA 728-8, LAFAYETTE, LA 70501) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT UPDATED 10/17/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11105335

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

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

NHTSA ODI #11105020

100,000 miles · Jun 18, 2018
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOWSON BMW (700 KENILWORTH DR., TOWSON, MD) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL HOUSING FILTER MELTED AND THE SPARK PLUGS EMITTED TOO MUCH VOLTAGE IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOWSON BMW (700 KENILWORTH DR., TOWSON, MD) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL HOUSING FILTER MELTED AND THE SPARK PLUGS EMITTED TOO MUCH VOLTAGE IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. - (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ODI #11102294

170,000 miles · Jun 15, 2018
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN ENGAGED. A WARNING INDICATOR FOR THE REAR DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR LIGHTING ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR FLICKERED RAPIDLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, BUT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN ENGAGED. A WARNING INDICATOR FOR THE REAR DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR LIGHTING ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR FLICKERED RAPIDLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, BUT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V407000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #11102139

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2018
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. CENTER BMW (5201 VAN NUYS BLVD, SHERMAN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. CENTER BMW (5201 VAN NUYS BLVD, SHERMAN OAKS, CA 91401, (818) 907-9995) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11101649

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

95,000 miles · May 20, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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.

NHTSA ODI #11096951

138,000 miles · May 14, 2018
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, BLACK SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF VALENCIA AT (661) 200-9111 (LOCATED AT 23435 VALENCIA BLVD, VALENCIA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, BLACK SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF VALENCIA AT (661) 200-9111 (LOCATED AT 23435 VALENCIA BLVD, VALENCIA, CA 91355) AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AND TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE BMW OF VALENCIA DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ODI #11093695

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.