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 other notices.
2008 BMW 528I lights problems
33 complaints (28% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 68,000.
- owner complaints
- 33
- of this car's complaints
- 28%
- typical mileage
- 68,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Headlights2
- Turn signal1
- Brake lights1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
BMW 528I lights problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 BMW 528I lights
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: tail lights
- What is wrong
- 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).
- Risk
- Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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].
Recall number 13V407000 · Recall details
What 2008 BMW 528I owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 causes my lights to flicker or not work at all while the the car keeps notifying me that there is an issue never couple seconds
My front left and right headlight assembly went out. Went to take a look to realize all the wiring inside the assembly was exposed and sparking. Come to find out this was a common issue in this year make and model. They are charging $2,500 per assembly for a factory issue that could start a fire. Needs taken care of ASAP
Driver side headlight went out, so I automatically assumed that the bull was blown. Went and bought $100 bull that controls the high beam and the low beams, replace the bulb, and the headlight still doesn't work. Took the ball back and got another bulb, and the headlight still doesn't work. As I was replacing the bulb I noticed bare wires showing, on multiple wires, as far as I could see. This is definitely a safety issue , as it could cause my car to catch fire.
All of the internal headlight wiring insulation on both headlights is crumbling off which is exposing the copper wire, causing sparks and shorting out. I have performed much online research and apparently this is a known problem by bmw. Currently it's a huge safety issue because it's unpredictable when headlights will short out while driving, losing sight of the road and possibly increasing risk of accident.
When I attempted to install new low beam, high beam, and angel eye bulbs I discovered that all the protective coating on the wires inside the headlight assembly was missing or crumbling off. These exposed wires are a certain fire hazard. Any attempt to repair the wire coating resulted in more coating crumbling off, exposing yet more of the wire.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 528i. The contact stated that the driver side brake light and turn signal failed to illuminate when engaged. A warning indicator for the rear driver side exterior lighting illuminated. In addition, the turn signal indicator flickered rapidly on the instrument panel, but failed to illuminate on the exterior of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repair. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v407000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 170,000.
Headlight wiring inside headlight assembly is deteriorating badly. The protective coating is cracking and flaking off leaving the exposed copper core which in turn shorts out the lights. Possible fire hazard as well.
Replaced headlight bulb, passenger side, for the second time, within the past year, and about the fifth time (driver side and passenger side; headlight bulb and angel eye bulb) since we have owned the vehicle (purchased certified pre-owned from a bmw dealership, houston, tx). And the cause of the problem is inferior wiring insulation. The wiring insulation is deteriorating causing the bulbs to prematurely burn out and a possible fire hazard. The replacement bulbs are purchased from a local bmw store. They are not non-oem bulbs and they are not cheap. Bmw needs to replace the entire headlight unit.
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
Questions about the 2008 BMW 528I lights
Does the 2008 BMW 528I have lights problems?
Owners have filed 33 complaints about the lights of the 2008 BMW 528I, 28% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2008 BMW 528I lights problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 68,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 BMW 528I lights?
Yes, 1 recall: 13V407000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
Other 2008 BMW 528I problems
Engine 35Electrical 30Fuel system 15Transmission 15Airbags 14Seat belts 9Seats 5Acceleration 1Body 1Brakes 1Driver assistance 1Steering 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2008 BMW 528I?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history