2008 BMW 528I

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2008 BMW 528I
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:21:29.690Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2008: 118 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1980	2
1997	41
1998	33
1999	46
2000	42
2001	2
2007	1
2008	118
2009	22
2010	65
2011	117
2012	89
2013	73
2014	56
2015	62
2016	57

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 25%

25% of complaints: exterior lighting — 30 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

HEADLIGHTS.... ANGEL EYES BOTH SIDES BURNED OFF PROBLEM WITH ELECTRIC SOCKETS I WOULD THINK!!! THIS IS HAPPENING TOO A LOT OF BMW AS RESERCH! *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20180127

THE 8 PIN CONNECTOR TO THE RIGHT REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLY MELTED. TURN SIGNAL, BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING ONE WIRE SEEMS CORRODED. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20120806

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 report, 20120604

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 25%

25% of complaints: electrical system — 30 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

I bought a 2008 528i July 2024. Got Emissions & Tag at the end of August. Oct 5 2024. My car was on Fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 20241117

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 report, 20120604

ENGINE 17%

17% of complaints: engine — 20 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

I bought a 2008 528i July 2024. Got Emissions & Tag at the end of August. Oct 5 2024. My car was on Fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 20241117

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180514

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AND A LOUD CRACKING NOISE. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED BEFORE AND DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180302

POWER TRAIN 13%

13% of complaints: power train — 15 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120213

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 14 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2008 — complaint volume: 118

R 20140102 — exterior lighting

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 tailli

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.

Campaign 13V407000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180618 — engine and engine cooling

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.

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.

Campaign 17V683000 — check if this car was fixed