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Engine coolingPart report

2008 BMW 528I Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
13%of 118 total for the year
Median mileage
109,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2008 BMW 528I, 13% of the 118 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 109,000 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.

“The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a burning plastic odor throughout the vehicle and a dark gray cloud of smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) indicating that the remedy was available; 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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11510795, filed 2023-03, 115,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528i Sedan. The contact stated while driving approximately 35mph when the vehicle began to produce smoke from the engine compartment alongside an odor of burning plastic. The contact was able to pull over and have the vehicle towed to their residence, but was not taken to a local dealer. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with, NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11452821, filed 2022-02, 148,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle in the morning, the vehicle hesitated, and revved up approximately three times. The contact stated that the vehicle operated as needed after driving approximately a half a mile. There were no warning lights illuminated. 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 local dealer was contacted and advised the contact to take the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. …”

NHTSA complaint #11499026, filed 2022-12, 107,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528i. The contact stated there was an abnormal burning odor in the vehicle. The contact detected smoke in the vehicle. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. 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 local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available. …”

NHTSA complaint #11461380, filed 2022-04, 88,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”

NHTSA complaint #11503271, filed 2023-01

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20162644%
20153351%
20142035%
20131115%
201256%
20113227%
20101726%
2009522%
20081513%
20001024%
199912%
199826%
199737%

Other parts of the 2008 BMW 528I

Exterior lighting
33 complaints
Electrical system
30 complaints
Engine
20 complaints
Fuel system
15 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
15 complaints
Air bags
14 complaints
Seat belts
9 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Seats
5 complaints
Brakes
1 complaints
Electronic stability control
1 complaints
Equipment
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 BMW 528I

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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