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).
The worst 2008 BMW 528XI 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.
- Electrical12
- Engine11
- Lights8
- Airbags5
- Seat belts3
- Seats3
- Fuel system1
- Transmission1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 BMW 528XI
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 BMW 528XI 6
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few...
- Engine will crank but not start
- Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle
- Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been...
- Bmw: on some vehicles, when starting, low beam, with 0552 option, would briefly flashes, due to a faulty...
2008 BMW 528XI fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 17 | 25 | 20 |
What 2008 BMW 528XI owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528XI. 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 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.
Headlight internal wiring insulation completely degraded, exposing wires and causing electrical shorts/arcing. Unchecked this will certainly cause a fire.
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 the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was unknown.
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).
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.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
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
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 the freeway) is beyond disappointing.
Compare the 2008 BMW 528XI
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Questions about the 2008 BMW 528XI
Is the 2008 BMW 528XI reliable?
Owners have filed 31 complaints about the 2008 BMW 528XI, close to a typical 528XI model year.
What is the 2008 BMW 528XI year score?
The 2008 BMW 528XI scores 69 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 528XI: 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 528XI?
Electrical system, with 12 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles. Next is engine (11).
How many recalls does the 2008 BMW 528XI have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the BMW 528XI have the most electrical problems?
The BMW 528XI model years with the most electrical complaints are 2013 (13 complaints) and 2008 (12 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2008 BMW 528XI get?
Official estimates for the 2008 BMW 528XI range from 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, 4WD) gets 17 city and 25 highway.
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