2008 BMW 528XI Problems
Compared with other BMW 528XI years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
35/100 0.7× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.7× that of a typical BMW 528XI year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- None of its 31 complaints were filed by the end of 2010.
- Most reported part: Electrical system (12 complaints, median 54,500 mi).
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 31filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 76,534miles, 20 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 17 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 BMW 528XI (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2008 BMW 528XI. The part named most often is electrical system, with 12 complaints (39% of the total), followed by engine (8) and exterior lighting (8). 20 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 76,534 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 6 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 2 BMW 528XI model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 35 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system12 39%
- Engine8 26%
- Exterior lighting8 26%
- Air bags5 16%
- Engine cooling3 9.7%
- Seat belts3 9.7%
- Seats3 9.7%
- Fuel system1 3.2%
- Other or unknown1 3.2%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Takata recall my expansion tank cracked, then it blew up. Something is wrong with my cooling system. My fan would make a loud noise every time I started the vehicle. My thermostat hose deteriorated and my check engine light has been on for about 5 months. In addition my electrical/battery is bad and my car is no longer functioning since 2 months ago. Please help!”
NHTSA complaint #11055570, filed 2017-12, 136,000 milesEngine: “Two engine mount bolts sheared off. Noticed during routine oil change. There are a total of eight bolts holding the engine, four on each side. Based on research, this is a problem with this series and model and appears to be a factory defect and design flaw. There is a chance the other 6 bolts could shear if not replaced with stronger bolts. A mechanic replaced the two bolts and advised we should replace the other six.”
NHTSA complaint #10948337, filed 2017-01, 39,262 milesExterior lighting: “While driving on the highway, the right taillight has malfunctioned completely (brake lights and right turn signal). The issue is well known to Bmw dealerships however they claim it's not covered under cpo (certified pre-owned) warranty and my model is not included in the recall. The tail light connector is melted due to faulty tail light grounding. Bmw has issued a recall for this specific issue (some models) but I don't know if I will ever get notified.”
NHTSA complaint #10552539, filed 2013-11, 67,000 milesAir bags: “Passenger side airbag/ seatbelt lite on dealer said that the bsd cable going to the airbag is detached...but it must be replaced at a cost of about close to $900....not repaired as of yet”
NHTSA complaint #10717536, filed 2015-05, 40,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
25% of the 20 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 65,000 and 120,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 BMW 528XI. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Series · sedan AWD | not rated | 3 / 5 | — | — | 4 · 10.5% risk |
| 5 Series · sedan RWD | not rated | 3 / 5 | — | — | 4 · 10.5% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2008 model year: forward collision warning not available, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2008 BMW 528XI version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 528xi 4WD/AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 528xi 4WD/AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2008 BMW 528XI in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 6 on record; the latest 6 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024Electrical system. The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers…
- 10247567Dec 20, 2023Fuel system, Engine cooling. Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel…
- 10245422Nov 22, 2023Equipment, Electrical system. Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâÂÂs equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation…
- 10182619Oct 1, 2020Equipment, Electrical system. Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased…
- 10057568Oct 1, 2014Exterior lighting. Bmw: on some vehicles, when starting, low beam, with 0552 option, would briefly flashes, due to a faulty led main light module that needs replacing. Model 2008-14 f01, f02, f06, f07, f10, f12, f13…
Other model years of the BMW 528XI
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 56 | 80,200 | 1 | 5 | — | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2012 | 54 | 75,800 | 0 | 5 | — | 52 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 10 | 83,942 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 6 | 77,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 31 | 76,534 | 0 | — | 20 | 35 · Fewer | Falling |
All BMW 528XI model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 BMW 528XI have?
NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2008 BMW 528XI as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 BMW 528XI is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 12 complaints (39% of the total), followed by engine with 8.
Has the 2008 BMW 528XI been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 BMW 528XI get?
The EPA rates the 2008 BMW 528XI (528xi, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2008 BMW 528XI reported?
Among the 20 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 76,534 miles and the middle half falls between 65,000 and 120,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.