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Engine coolingPart report

2008 BMW 328I Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
33about this part
Share
14%of 239 total for the year
Median mileage
100,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2008 BMW 328I, 14% of the 239 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“On july 9, 2011, I was driving at a speed of 30 MPH in the process of exiting the parkway, with my family in the car, when the vehicle suddenly stopped operating! There were no warning lights, and nothing worked in the car. I was unable to put on my hazard lights or more the steering wheel. As the car was slowing down I kept trying to re-start the car but nothing worked. After coming to a complete stop, by using my emergency brake, I was able to push the key in and out and hit the start/stop and the car finally started. …”

NHTSA complaint #10416170, filed 2011-07, 29,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328I. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. There was smoke coming from the engine compartment while the vehicle was shuddering. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the PCV stem seals and cap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #11518311, filed 2023-04, 170,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact stated that the vehicle would frequently surge while in idle position and she was smelling an abnormal oil odor. Upon opening the hood of the vehicle to determine the cause of the failure, the contact's husband noticed that oil was leaking from the valve cover gasket onto the engine compartment. The warning message Service Due Soon , Misfire in cylinder #1 and cylinder #4 and the temperature coolant warning light were illuminated. …”

NHTSA complaint #11462338, filed 2022-04, 158,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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 contact stated that the vehicle had previously been at the dealer for an unknown service, where it was diagnosed with an oil leak in the valve cover gasket that the valve over gasket needed to be replaced. …”

NHTSA complaint #11503364, filed 2023-01, 55,000 miles

“2008 Bmw xi. Consumer writes in regard to the pvc emissions system. The consumer stated a burning thick smoke into the cabin of the vehicle emitted. The dealership declined to cover the repairs under recall claiming the valve cover was not original to the vehicle. But, the consumer stated the valve cover was original. The consumer stated the vehicle would not pass the state's emissions test.”

NHTSA complaint #11461499, filed 2022-04

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20161323%
20154234%
20142919%
20134417%
20121612%
201117530%
20104026%
20092111%
20083314%
2007359%
200054%
199911%
199828%
1997312%
1996619%

Other parts of the 2008 BMW 328I

Electrical system
85 complaintsAir bags
83 complaintsEngine
54 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsSeats
12 complaintsSeat belts
11 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 BMW 328I

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology