Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA
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Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2008 BMW 528I submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Transmission system is not functioning properly. The shifter automatically shifts into "N" or "P" when shifting into "D" or "R". The instrument cluster displays "transmission malfunction". Check engine light comes on. The code is P17E1 "Ratio monitoring clutch "A"
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528i. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lunged forward and jerked significantly. The contact released the accelerator pedal and the failure stopped temporarily. The check engine warning light and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The contact stated that whenever the failure occurred, she would veer to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle would restart on some occasions and would fail to restart on other occasions. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where the battery was replaced. However, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic on two occasions. The independent mechanic replaced the battery and fuses. However, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a strong burning odor and she noticed smoke in the rear of the vehicle. The contact veered to the side of the road, where she noticed flames on the rear driver's side of the vehicle where the gas tank was located. The contact immediately exited the vehicle. The contact also saw flames underneath the hood. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of fire extinguishers and the fire department. A fire department was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic. The independent mechanic jumpstarted the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her residence. The contact later received a recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine And Engine Cooling), which she associated with the failure. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528i. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was overheating. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the failure recurred and the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where the battery and spark plugs were replaced however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times. The solenoid and the PCV valve were replaced. The contact stated that the seat belt and driver's side headlight harness connector were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal to the floorboard and the vehicle surged. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed to shift into drive and there was smoke coming out from the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light and the warning message "Transmission Malfunction" illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Hendrick BMW Certified Pre-Owned South Charlotte (9029 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273) where the gear shifter was replaced however, the failure persisted. The second dealer informed the contact that the transmission, the solenoid, and the mechatronics unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later received NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). 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 did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
WHEN AT A STOPLIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF AND THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL.
IN MY 2008 528I I WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME AS MANY OTHERS WHERE IF YOU ARE AT A COMPLETE STOP AND YOU GO TO ACCELERATE THE CAR DOESN'T RESPOND RIGHT AWAY AND YOU NATURALLY APPLY MORE GAS AND THEN THE CAR JUMPS AHEAD OF YOU. IF YOU WERE TO MOVE TO THE D/S POSITION, THE CAR WAS PERFECT AND YOU DIDN'T EXPERIENCE ANY LAG IN ACCELERATION, SEEMS PEDAL HAS TO BE PRESSED MORE THAN IT SHOULD BEFORE GETTING AN IMMEDIATE THROTTLE RESPONSE. LIKE A SMALL DEAD SPOT, I SUPPOSE. ONLY IN NORMAL MODE. NO LAG IN SPORT MODE. RESPONSE IS IMMEDIATE. IT HAS SCARED ME A FEW TIMES WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN INTO TRAFFIC, THINKING YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TIME AND EASE ONTO THE ACCELERATOR ONLY TO FIND YOURSELF MOVING LIKE A SNAIL, THEN HAVING TO STOMP ON IT TO GET MOVING AS TRAFFIC NEARS.
I HAVE A HARD TIME ACCELERATING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE OUTSIDE LANE OF I-75. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE INSIDE LANE OF I-75 AND WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALBANY BMW IN ALBANY, GA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED SEVERELY AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE AND THE POWER TRAIN WAS NOT OPERATIONAL. AFTER THE THIRD ATTEMPT TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE, IT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY AND THE "SERVICE VEHICLE, NO POWER TRAIN WAS DETECTED" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000.
I LIVE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES WITH MY 2008 BMW FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW. MY COWORKER HAS THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL, AND IS ALSO EXPERIENCING OR HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES. WE BOTH HAVE HAD OUR CARS IN THE SHOP AT THE SAME TIME AND THE VEHICLES ARE NOW REPAIRED. THE ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE IS IT BEGINS TO STALL AS DRIVING WHICH IS DANGEROUS IN OUR AREA FOR TRAFFIC. THE CAR WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED WHILE DRIVING AND YOU CAN NOT GO OVER 10 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR ALSO JERKS. THE PROBLEMS WITH BOTH OUR VEHICLES WERE THE SAME ; OIL LEAK, A TRANSMISSION LEAK, AND A PROBLEM WITH THE CYLINDERS NOT WORKING AS CONNECTED TO THE SPARK PLUGS. AS I PREVIOUSLY STATED THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. AND TIMES WHEN YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR STALLS WHICH ALMOST CAUSES THE CAR BEHIND YOU TO RUN INTO YOU.THE MAINTENANCE FOR MY CAR WAS 3200 DOLLARS AT THE DEALERSHIP. MY COWORKER TOOK HER CAR TO AN IMPORT REPAIR SHOP AND OVER THE COURSE OF 2 TIMES, SHE ENDED UP SPENDING ABOUT 1200 PLUS DOLLARS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AS I DON'T THINK PEOPLE ARE REPORTING IT TO THE RIGHT AUTHORITY. *TR
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.
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
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.
FOR THE PAST MONTH, MY CAR, A 2008 BMW 528 IX (AUTOMATIC) WOULD SLIP OUT OF DRIVE (D) INTO PARK (P) AS I WAS ACCELERATING FORWARD FROM A DEAD STOP. THE ELECTRONIC GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM WOULD DO THIS APPROXIMATELY 10% 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. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I MIGHT BE DOING SOMETHING WRONG, SO I DIDN'T REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY. HOWEVER, IT KEPT HAPPENING. THIS CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS SOMETIMES I WAS IN AN INTERSECTION WHEN THIS OCCURRED. A FEW WEEKS LATER (BEFORE I HAD CHANCE TO TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE), THE GEAR SHIFT STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AT ALL. THE GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM IS AN ELECTRONIC PART, NOT A MECHANICAL CONNECTION. I CALLED BMW, AND THEY SAID THE PART WAS NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY OR RECALL (THE CAR WAS 5K MILES OUT OF WARRANTY). I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, A $1300 EXPENSE. *TR
DRIVING ABOUT TO PARKING WHEN THE CAR JUST STOP WORKING COMPLETELY MY CHILDREN AND I WHERE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET . THEN IT WOULD TURN ON BUT I WAS UNABLE TO PUT GEAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE . HAD IT TOWED WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE TRANSMISSION LIGHT WENT ON BUT TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP THE TECH STATED THAT IT WAS NOT THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE PROBLEM COULD POSSIBLY BE THE SHIFTER . *TR
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
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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