BMW 528XI · model year

2008 BMW 528XI

43 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008BMW528XI carries 43 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 5 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 528XI is electrical system with 11 filings, followed by engine (8) and exterior lighting (7). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2008 528XI. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

43
Complaints
2
Crashes
5
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

43 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
ENGINE8
EXTERIOR LIGHTING7
AIR BAGS4
SEAT BELTS3
SEATS3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
POWER TRAIN1
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1

Recent Complaints

20230314ENGINE

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).

20230125ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

Mileage: 166,197

20221031ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

Mileage: 148,000

20220913ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Headlight internal wiring insulation completely degraded, exposing wires and causing electrical shorts/arcing. Unchecked this will certainly cause a fire.

20220823ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

20220606FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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).

20220518AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

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.

20201001ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 150,000

20191122SEATS

3 HOLES HAVE BEEN BURNT THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE LUMBAR SUPPORT BY THE SEAT HEATER. I'M AFRAID THAT I DON'T HAVE PICTURES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM. HTTPS://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=80264

Mileage: 80,000

20190314SEATS

ONE DAY THIS WINTER, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY IT SMELT LIKE SOMETHING BURNING. THINKING IT WAS AN OUTSIDE ELEMENT, I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. A WEEK LATER, I SMELT THE SAME BURNING SO I GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO INSPECT AND FOUND THREE HOLES WERE BURNT STRAIGHT THROUGH MY LEATHER DRIVER SEAT AND ALSO BURNED RIGHT THROUGH MY WINTER JACKET!! THIS WAS DUE TO AN ISSUE WITHIN THE HEAT TRACKING IN MY SEAT. I BROUGHT WHAT HAPPENED TO BMW NORTH AMERICA, TO WHICH THEY TOLD ME THAT DUE TO MY CARS "AGE AND MILEAGE", THAT THIS WAS A *AND I QUOTE* "WEAR AND TEAR" ISSUE. I'M SORRY, BUT THE LAST TIME I CHECKED, NATURAL WEAR AND TEAR SHOULD NOT CAUSE A HAZARDOUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. THIS WAS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE FACT THAT BMW WAS SO UNWILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HARMFUL SITUATION THAT THIS DEFECT PUT ME IN, (FOR INSTANCE, IF I HAD NOT BEEN WEARING MY THICK WINTER JACKET, WHICH SHIELDED ME FROM BEING BURNED WHILE DRIVING ON T

Mileage: 120,000

20181218FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AT ANY RATE OF SPEED WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (BMW OF TOWSON, 700 KENILWORTH DR, TOWSON, MD 21204, (410) 317-2237) WAS NOTIFIED, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED EXCESSIVE SMOKE ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS AND THICK, WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20181218FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AT ANY RATE OF SPEED WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (BMW OF TOWSON, 700 KENILWORTH DR, TOWSON, MD 21204, (410) 317-2237) WAS NOTIFIED, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED EXCESSIVE SMOKE ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS AND THICK, WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20181218FirePOWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AT ANY RATE OF SPEED WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (BMW OF TOWSON, 700 KENILWORTH DR, TOWSON, MD 21204, (410) 317-2237) WAS NOTIFIED, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED EXCESSIVE SMOKE ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS AND THICK, WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20180103ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER (SCHOMP BMW, 1190 PLUM VALLEY LN, HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO 80129, (303) 730-1300) WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WOULD PROVIDE THE REMEDY AND THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHEN THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD BE SCHEDULED. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INTERIM RECALL NOTICE, BUT WITH NO SPECIFICATION OF WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED AND WHEN THE SECOND LETTER WOULD BE SENT, INDICATING THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT

20171219ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

"TAKATA RECALL" MY EXPANSION TANK CRACKED, THEN IT BLEW UP. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY COOLING SYSTEM. MY FAN WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE EVERY TIME I STARTED THE VEHICLE. MY THERMOSTAT HOSE DETERIORATED AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS. IN ADDITION MY ELECTRICAL/BATTERY IS BAD AND MY CAR IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING SINCE 2 MONTHS AGO. PLEASE HELP!

Mileage: 136,000

20171219ENGINE

"TAKATA RECALL" MY EXPANSION TANK CRACKED, THEN IT BLEW UP. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY COOLING SYSTEM. MY FAN WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE EVERY TIME I STARTED THE VEHICLE. MY THERMOSTAT HOSE DETERIORATED AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS. IN ADDITION MY ELECTRICAL/BATTERY IS BAD AND MY CAR IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING SINCE 2 MONTHS AGO. PLEASE HELP!

Mileage: 136,000

20171219UNKNOWN OR OTHER

"TAKATA RECALL" MY EXPANSION TANK CRACKED, THEN IT BLEW UP. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY COOLING SYSTEM. MY FAN WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE EVERY TIME I STARTED THE VEHICLE. MY THERMOSTAT HOSE DETERIORATED AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS. IN ADDITION MY ELECTRICAL/BATTERY IS BAD AND MY CAR IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING SINCE 2 MONTHS AGO. PLEASE HELP!

Mileage: 136,000

20170807ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FOR APPROX: 2 WKS. EACH TIME THAT I START MY CAR IN THE MORNING TO PROCEED TO WORK. MY ABS , DSC , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ,TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION LIGHT , ( SOS PH) , MY RADIO SHUTS OFF & ON I HAVE TO RESET MY CLOCK EACH TIME I RESTART MY CAR THE WINDOW WIPERS COME ON & STAY ON TILL IT GOES OFF BY ITSELF & SONETIMES MY COMPUTER DASHBOARD GOES COMPLETELY BLACK . ON SUNDAY JUL 30, 2017 IT NO LONGER WILL SHIFT. INTO GEAR. I HAD RECIEVED A NOTICE THRU VIA: MAIL ABOUT 2 1/2 MOS. AGO FOR A CIVIL LAWSUIT ON THE 5. SERIES & MY CAR WAS INCL. IN THE. RECALL BUT WASN'T HAVING ANY PROBLEMS @ THE TIME SO I DISCARDED THE FORM IN WHICH I NOW. REGRET. THE TOWING CO. STATED TO ME THIS IS BEEN ONGOING FOR YRS. NOW & THE BMW DEALERSHIP IS WELL AWARE OF. THIS MATTER BUT AREN'T NOTIFYING. THE CUSTOMERS HE. SAID HE TOWS BMW'S ALL SERIES FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM

20170523SEAT BELTS

LEFT REAR SEAT BELT WILL NO LONGER CLICK SHUT. IT WAS WORKING BUT WILL NO LONGER SNAP INTO THE LOCK RECEPTACLE SINCE MARCH 2017.

Mileage: 65,000

20170129ENGINE

TWO ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS SHEARED OFF. NOTICED DURING ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THERE ARE A TOTAL OF EIGHT BOLTS HOLDING THE ENGINE, FOUR ON EACH SIDE. BASED ON RESEARCH, THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS SERIES AND MODEL AND APPEARS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT AND DESIGN FLAW. THERE IS A CHANCE THE OTHER 6 BOLTS COULD SHEAR IF NOT REPLACED WITH STRONGER BOLTS. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE TWO BOLTS AND ADVISED WE SHOULD REPLACE THE OTHER SIX.

Mileage: 39,262

Compare 2008BMW528XI to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 BMW 528XI have?
The 2008 BMW 528XI has 43 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 5 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW 528XI?
The most-complained component for the 2008 BMW 528XI is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Is the 2008 BMW 528XI safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.