2008 BMW 328I: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 239 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (31% of complaints); the 2006 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2024
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 239 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The wipers will wipe 5-6 times then stop. Sometimes mid windshield. Does not reset at any setting on the washer arm. Leads to an urgent stop on side of the road. It is available for inspection. I have tested while sitting in driveway and it does every time (of the 4 times I tested). Only way to reset is to turn off motor and remove key. No confirmation by mechanic. Reading online similar happenings and people replacing wiper relay. No inspection by dealer or others yet. No warning lights before.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Oct 2025
“The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the PCV heater needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unavailable.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2025
“The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328I. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact stated that the manual door locks became inoperable. The contact had to climb out of the driver's side window to exit the vehicle. The contact was able to enter the vehicle by using the key fob. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Sep 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“The vehicle, stopped while driving, overheating, no heat/ ac. It's winter, car stopped at night in an unknown location fory safety. Had it inspected by 2 different auto shops and was confirmed of the issue. Warning lights came on right before the car failed.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2024
“2008 bmw 328i. Consumer writes in regard to loss of power and steam coming from the engine. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the nearest bmw to perform a recall. On march 13, 2023 the vehicle was picked up after repairs and the red warning light illuminated and engine was steaming once again.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2023
“You guys have aluminum bolts that hold down the cylinder head they corrode or become loose thus pulling up the cylinder head and the head gasket is protruding out the front of the cylinder head causing oil and coolant to leak on to the belt causing the serpentine belt to slip off while it's raining and eventually causing a blown head gasket it's because of the aluminum bolts on the top of the engine that hold the cylinder head down the head gasket protrudes out the sides on the front where the camshaft sensors are and leaks onto the belt plus causing the belt to come off the track and possibly get sucked into the engine it's not something easy to get to or to fix for a person with low income”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2023
“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 local dealer was 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. The contact stated that the vehicle was making abnormal sounds. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2022
“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 dealer was not made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2022
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2022
“The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not notified of the issue. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2022
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2008 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 328I by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 BMW 328I reliable?
NHTSA has 239 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 BMW 328I. The most complained-about area is air bags (31% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 BMW 328I problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 89,571 miles or less.
Does the 2008 BMW 328I have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.