Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 31 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 BMW 528XI, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and exterior lighting categories. 6 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2011 | 1 | 1 |
| Apr 2012 | 1 | 2 |
| Feb 2013 | 2 | 4 |
| May 2013 | 1 | 5 |
| Oct 2013 | 1 | 6 |
| Nov 2013 | 3 | 9 |
| May 2014 | 1 | 10 |
| Mar 2015 | 1 | 11 |
| May 2015 | 1 | 12 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 13 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 14 |
| Dec 2016 | 1 | 15 |
| Jan 2017 | 1 | 16 |
| May 2017 | 1 | 17 |
| Aug 2017 | 1 | 18 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 19 |
| Jan 2018 | 1 | 20 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 21 |
| Mar 2019 | 1 | 22 |
| Nov 2019 | 1 | 23 |
| Oct 2020 | 1 | 24 |
| May 2022 | 1 | 25 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 26 |
| Aug 2022 | 1 | 27 |
| Sep 2022 | 1 | 28 |
| Oct 2022 | 1 | 29 |
| Jan 2023 | 1 | 30 |
| Mar 2023 | 1 | 31 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
On March 24, 2022 I bought a 2008 BMW 528XI vehicle from Mercedes WESTWOOD, MA. UNFORTUNATELY, this car is not drivable because it needs a new transmission. It hasn't even been a year yet. The check engine light came on after the second day of purchase . Now I needed a new engine. Mercedes of WESTWOOD MA sold me faulty car (LEMON).
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528XI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The engine temperature warning light illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 166,197.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was smoke coming from under the hood and through the A/C vents. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring issue. The contact stated he would pull over for approximately 30 minutes to allow the vehicle to cool down enough to drive. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had experienced a recent failure and the contact had to have the vehicle towed to his residence. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Headlight internal wiring insulation completely degraded, exposing wires and causing electrical shorts/arcing. Unchecked this will certainly cause a fire.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528XI. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 55 MPH, there was a burning odor coming from the engine, and blue smoke from the exhaustion pipe. Additionally, there was oil blowing out from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was unknown.
I have two BMW cars: BMW 528Xi 2008 [XXX] BMW 328Xi. 2007 [XXX] both are under active recall notice with no remedy available; I have contacted BMW USA for solutions: 1. repair the vehicles 2. offer loaner 3. buy back the vehicles they have refused all of the above my cars are a possible fire hazard when driven; kindly explore all options available if no remedy is available from the manufacturer; much obliged [XXX] Princeton, NJ INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The passenger seat occupancy sensor has failed. As a result, the airbags will not deploy on the passenger side, if a passenger is present, in an accident. The error is displayed as soon as the passenger sits. Warning lights go out after restarting the car and if the passenger seat is unoccupied.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, HE STARTED HEARING AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE BECAME AWARE THAT THE PVC HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER CRITZ BMW LOCATED AT 7009 ABERCORN ST, SAVANNAH, GA 31406, (912) 354-7000, AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER DECLINED TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle âÂÂdischarged batteryâ complaints.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low CDA594 - Message (- 0x33E) missing, receiver DME, transmitter TFE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT
Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâÂÂs equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm LED in the interior mirror does not briefly flash every 2 seconds, indicating the alarm is armed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
BMW: ON SOME VEHICLES, WHEN STARTING, LOW BEAM, WITH 0552 OPTION, WOULD BRIEFLY FLASHES, DUE TO A FAULTY LED MAIN LIGHT MODULE THAT NEEDS REPLACING. MODEL 2008-14 F01, F02, F06, F07, F10, F12, F13, F25. *PE
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.