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2008 BMW 328XI problems

The most common problem on the 2008 BMW 328XI is electrical system, typically around 80,000 miles. It has 5.8 times the complaints of a typical 328XI model year.

Year to avoid5.8x the typical complaints
Year score
9/100
Owner complaints
99
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
126
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
20mpg

The worst 2008 BMW 328XI problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    46
  • Engine
    38
  • Airbags
    16
  • Fuel system
    9
  • Body
    6
  • Transmission
    6
  • Lights
    4
  • Locks
    3
  • Steering
    3
  • Visibility
    3
  • Suspension
    2
  • Brakes
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 BMW 328XI

Fire or smoke 11Door locks 7Stalling 5

Recalls 3

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported July 3, 2024 · 394,029 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 24V513000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported January 15, 2020 · 59,965 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 20V017000 · Recall details

Electrical system: wiringReported October 25, 2017 · 702,965 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
Risk
Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 17V676000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2008 BMW 328XI

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 BMW 328XI 126

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 126 bulletins for the 2008 BMW 328XI

2008 BMW 328XI fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.0L 6‑cyl4WD172520

What 2008 BMW 328XI owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 27, 2025 · Tires · CT

225/40R18 the stoplight right down route 7 by stop and shop there is a rectangular hole in the street. I could not avoid it when driving Friday morning 4/25/25 and the dip in the ground blew my driver side front and rear tires and scratched the rims. I had to spend my day Friday getting my tires replaced and now I have scratches on my rims which are fairly new

Filed Apr 17, 2025 · Airbags · 162,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328XI. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the air bag deployed unintendedly. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated prior to the air bag deployment. The air bag deployed, and there was no occupant inside the vehicle. The contact stated that after the air bag had deployed, the air bag warning light was illuminated after the air bag had deployed. The vehicle was recently taken to the dealer and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

Filed Jan 12, 2025 · Fuel system · PA

Unknown

Filed Jul 19, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · FL

Wiring inside headlamp is not up to Standards. For the cost the replace the headlight the wiring should not be falling apart causing shorts. One night I was driving and got a warning on my dash for my headlights and noticed it was a bit harder to see. Pulled over and noticed the headlight was out. Went to replace the bulb and noticed the wires have zero protection on them and are all touching.. this is not safe as wire shorts can cause a fire and not to mention the visibility issues. The driver side is not the bright at all and flickers while I’m driving. Both sides are having this issue and that’s unacceptable saying the headlights are over 800 dollars EACH and that’s used.. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle knowing that the wire short can cause a fire while I’m driving.

Filed Jan 27, 2023 · Electrical, Lights · NJ

BMW Bi Xenon Headlights wires harness. Insulation on wires peels off and start touching each other. Malfunction high beam, low beam, turning light.

Filed Nov 4, 2022 · Engine · 70,000 miles · CT · fire

The contact owned a 2008 BMW 328xi. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact's son was driving approximately 30 MPH when the son noticed that smoke had begun to issue from the dashboard vents. The son pulled over and stopped the vehicle and exited when the vehicle dashboard burst into flames. The fire department was called and extinguished the flames with water. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact's insurance provider declared the vehicle a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Oct 3, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · VA

The positive battery fuse cable under the glovebox is placed into a plastic space causing melting. This leads to the vehicle going dead and not even emergency lights will work. This recall has been placed on very few BMWs however it is affecting way more then they are saying. You can see in UK where a man was killed for the vehicle going dead in the middle of the road and emergency lights cannot be used to warn other drivers. How has their not been taken car of already. I am extremely disappointed in our system, and in BMW. My mind is completely blown that this is not cared about.

Filed Jul 1, 2022 · Engine · PA

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jun 21, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · IN

The car was over heating and not starting as well as fuel pump error on my dash. There is an open recall on my vehicle starting March of 2022 it is now June and BMW says they don’t know when they will have a remedy for this and it could be months but I need my car.

Filed Mar 23, 2022 · Engine · NJ

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and BMW of Springfield Parts & Accessories (391 US-22, Springfield, NJ 07081: (908) 232-1466) were contacted and made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2008 BMW 328XI

Is the 2008 BMW 328XI reliable?

Owners have filed 99 complaints about the 2008 BMW 328XI, 5.8 times a typical 328XI model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2008 BMW 328XI year score?

The 2008 BMW 328XI scores 9 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 328XI: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 BMW 328XI?

Electrical system, with 46 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles. Next is engine (38).

How many recalls does the 2008 BMW 328XI have?

3 recalls, covering air bags and electrical system.

Was there a recall on the 2008 BMW 328XI electrical?

Yes, 1 recall: 17V676000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the BMW 328XI have the most electrical problems?

The BMW 328XI model years with the most electrical complaints are 2007 (61 complaints), 2008 (46 complaints) and 2011 (17 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2008 BMW 328XI get?

Official estimates for the 2008 BMW 328XI range from 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, 4WD) gets 17 city and 25 highway.

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