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Air bagsPart report

2008 BMW 528I Air bags Problems

Complaints
14about this part
Share
12%of 118 total for the year
Median mileage
90,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 BMW 528I, 12% of the 118 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

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

“I have a 2008 528I and I got an error message saying the passenger restraint system, or air bag had an error regardless of a passenger present or not any time that car is turned on. I researched it and it seems that this problem is quite common on bmws and I feel as its an issue with the production of the car and the repair should not be at the owner's expense.”

NHTSA complaint #10917423, filed 2016-10, 90,000 miles

“Car has passenger restraint system malfuction since fabrication.was never handled. I am new owner and trying to get to the bottom of this.many people have this issue with this modell and apparently there was a recall for it but my VIN doesnt fall under it. Very frustrating and dangerous.”

NHTSA complaint #10980259, filed 2017-04, 90,000 miles

“I was driving my car and suddenly the restraint system malfunction light turned on and the seatbelt light turned on. I did not hit a bump or anything. There was no passenger currently sitting on the passenger seat when the light came on. I have tried sitting down on the passenger seat and put on my seat belt to see if it will go away but no luck. Also, the seat belt light will not go away even if I buckle the drivers seat and passenger seat belt.”

NHTSA complaint #10946824, filed 2017-01, 136,298 miles

“Restraint system malfunction warning periodically comes on while driving under normal driving conditions. This default deactivates airbags. Have taken to dealer to fix 4 times, and today they decided to charge a fee. This is an ongoing issue with my car and many others with recalls of the exact same model but 2 years older.”

NHTSA complaint #10532957, filed 2013-07, 79,700 miles

“During an automated car wash, the following warning displays: fault in passenger restrain system affecting airbag, belt tensioner, or belt force limiter . The airbag and seat belt light become activated when this happens as well. The warning message will stay on for hours after the car gets moderately wet, either in a rain storm or a car wash. Even if the car is turned off and then turned back on the message and errors will persist. It takes about 8-10 hours for the error to go away. This happens consistently and is easily repeatable. …”

NHTSA complaint #10579456, filed 2014-04, 65,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201658%
201512%
201424%
20131419%
201233%
201143%
2010711%
200914%
20081412%
2000717%
1999920%
1998618%
1997512%

Other parts of the 2008 BMW 528I

Exterior lighting
33 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsEngine
20 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsSeats
5 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 BMW 528I

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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