2008 BMW 528I Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 13%of 118 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,500miles
- 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 transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 BMW 528I, 13% of the 118 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving about to parking when the car just stop working completely my children and I where stranded in the middle of the street . Then it would turn on but I was unable to put gear in drive or reverse . Had it towed we thought it was the transmission because transmission light went on but took it to a repair shop the tech stated that it was not the transmission but the problem could possibly be the shifter .”
NHTSA complaint #10520512, filed 2013-06, 98,000 miles“In my 2008 528I I was experiencing the same as many others where if you are at a complete stop and you go to accelerate the car doesn't respond right away and you naturally apply more gas and then the car jumps ahead of you. If you were to move to the d/s position, the car was perfect and you didn't experience any lag in acceleration, seems pedal has to be pressed more than it should before getting an immediate throttle response. Like a small dead spot, I suppose. Only in normal mode. No lag in sport mode. Response is immediate. …”
NHTSA complaint #11154577, filed 2018-11, 120,000 miles“I live in the state of virginia. I have been experiencing the same issues with my 2008 Bmw for about a month now. My coworker has the same year make and model, and is also experiencing or has experienced the same issues. We both have had our cars in the shop at the same time and the vehicles are now repaired. The issue with the vehicle is it begins to stall as driving which is dangerous in our area for traffic. The car will not pick up speed while driving and you can not go over 10 miles per hour. The car also jerks. …”
NHTSA complaint #10704330, filed 2015-04, 82,000 miles“For the past 8 months, my car, a 2008 Bmw 528I slips out of drive (d) into park (p) as I was backing up & moving forward either from a parking position or as I begin to accelerate from a stop. The gear shift would go from (d) into (p) and cause the car to jerk to a rapid stop. It makes a horrible noise as it grinds to a stop. It requires me to put it back into park and turn it off sometimes and then start it again. I thought I might be doing something wrong until I read all these other posts so I haven't reported it til now. …”
NHTSA complaint #10579344, filed 2014-04, 71,000 miles“For the past month, my car, a 2008 Bmw 528 I (automatic) would slip out of reverse (r) into park (p) as I was accelerating backward from a dead stop. The steptronic gear shift mechanism would do this approximately 30% of the time, and cause the car to jerk to a stop. It would require me to put it back into drive and start again. Eventually as I keep driving and I'm at a stop light or sitting idle, the transmission malfunction message would pop up on my lcd and then the gear would go into neutral and stop driving all together. …”
NHTSA complaint #10561724, filed 2014-01, 65,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10175267Apr 1, 2020Power Reduction FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2 A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The "Service Engine Soon" (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. This…
- 10148034Sep 1, 2014"Intelligent Battery Sensor Diagnosis Hints. The vehicle enters the workshop with one or more of the following complaints: * Check Control Message related to battery discharge *…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 | 5% |
| 2015 | 3 | 5% |
| 2014 | 5 | 9% |
| 2013 | 13 | 18% |
| 2012 | 20 | 22% |
| 2011 | 25 | 21% |
| 2010 | 9 | 14% |
| 2008 | 15 | 13% |
| 1999 | 4 | 9% |
| 1998 | 4 | 12% |
| 1997 | 5 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2008 BMW 528I
33 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsEngine
20 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsAir bags
14 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 30, 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