NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 BMW 528I Recalls & Complaints

The 2008 BMW 528I has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 118 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 BMW 528I. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2008 BMW 528I owner complaints

Owners have filed 118 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 BMW 528I, describing incidents dated April 1, 2010 to October 5, 2024.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 35 complaints
  • Exterior Lighting 33 complaints
  • Electrical System 30 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 15 complaints
  • Power Train 15 complaints
  • Air Bags 14 complaints

Of the 118 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 16 a fire; across all 118 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11688501 · Filed

    The daylight lamps fall apart causing poor lighting at night and continuous alarms while driving. Also, impacting the quality of light and lack of lighting at night. The alarms are continuous and block ALL other alerts from the vehicle, including cruise control, temperature, overheating, engine, and…

  • ODI #11640016 · Filed

    After purchasing this vehicle from my aunt and uncle my one headlight when bad after purchasing the headlights I replaced both the right and left one while removing the old headlights the insulation from the wires just crumbles off casuing a short bc the wires are zip tied several times together and…

  • ODI #11625751 · Filed

    I bought a 2008 528i July 2024. Got Emissions & Tag at the end of August. Oct 5 2024. My car was on Fire. Drove the car 11 mins got out for a few mins got bk in crunk the car and a flame shot out of what I'm assuming is a fuse box on the driver side. The car had flames coming from under the steering…

Read all 118 complaints

PCV Heater may Short Circuit

NHTSA #17V683000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System — Emission Control — Crankcase (PCV) · NHTSA notice

Reported October 30, 2017 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 740,561 vehicles

Repair completion: 53.7% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified June 18, 2018 · Vehicles built February 16, 2006 – August 31, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Tail light Failure

NHTSA #13V407000 · Exterior Lighting — Tail Lights · NHTSA notice

Reported September 11, 2013 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 134,100 vehicles

Repair completion: 76.48% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified January 2, 2014 · Vehicles built March 1, 2007 – December 31, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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).

Safety consequence

Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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 [email protected].

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other BMW 528I model years

Check your 2008 BMW 528I VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 528I at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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