BMW 528i Complaints (2008)

118 consumer complaints on file.

#10980259April 24, 2017
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10967656March 21, 2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT WIRING INSULATION IS FLAKING OFF AND LEAVING EXPOSED, UNINSULATED WIRES WHICH CAN SHORT OUT AND CAUSE MALFUNCTIONS IN THE HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, PARKING LIGHTS, AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10955447February 18, 2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I PURCHASED A USED 2008 BMW 528I MID-JANUARY OF 2017. IT WAS WELL MAINTAINED, A SINGLE OWNER VEHICLE WITH JUST OVER 60K MILES. IT HAS A CLEAN CARFAX AND A WELL DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT A BMW DEALERSHIP IN ORLANDO, FL. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR JUST OVER 3 WEEKS, THE PASSENGER SIDE DAY TIME RUNNING LAMP WENT OUT. I RECEIVED A "MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP" (MIL) ON THE DASH SO I INVESTIGATED. BEING AT HOME AND THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, I REMOVED THE COVER TO THE ASSOCIATED BULB, I NOTICED BARE WIRING THAT WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PLUG-IN CONNECTOR (THERE ARE TWO WIRES). I THOUGHT THIS UNUSUAL AND STRANGE. I SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED THE BULB BUT THAT DID NOT REPAIR THE FAULT. SINCE THE INSULATION ON THE FAULTY WIRING WAS IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER, IT WAS PROVIDING A GROUND AND SHORTING OUT THE BULB. THIS COULD REPRESENT A POTENTIAL FOR CAUSING A FIRE AND HAZARDOUS SITUATION. FURTHER RESEARCH VIA THE INTERNET (FORUMS), I WAS ASTOUNDED AT THE AMOUNT OF CONSUMERS WHO HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN TO BMW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. HELLA IS THE MANUFACTURER OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FOR BMW. I AM UNSURE AT THIS TIME IF BMW HAS EXPRESSED CONCERN TO HELLA OF THE POTENTIAL LIABILITY ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR SUBSTANDARD WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. IT APPEARS OVER A 5-8 YEAR PERIOD OF USE THAT THE INSULATION IS BEING SUBJECTED TO HIGH TEMPERATURES THAT CAUSE BRITTLENESS, FRACTURES AND FINALLY DEGRADE TO WHERE THE WIRING BECOMES EXPOSED. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT DOES NOT APPEAR CONCERNED OR MOTIVATED TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I AM SURE THAT THERE CONCERNS REVOLVE AROUND PROFIT MARGINS, BUT I FEEL WHERE SAFETY IS OF CONCERN, MONEY SHOULD NOT BE THE REASON FOR NOT CORRECTING A PROBLEM. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT INVESTIGATION BE CONDUCTED IN ORDER TO DISCERN THE POTENTIAL IMPACT TO CONSUMERS SHOULD THIS PROBLEM NOT BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10954380February 13, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WIRING INSIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES FLAKING OFF LEAVING BARE WIRES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10948862February 1, 2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
GAS LEAKAGE HAD TO BE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10946824January 20, 2017
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, SEATS
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10917460October 20, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2008 BMW 528I AUTOMATIC SEDAN WITH 104K MILES... HEAD LIGHT WIRING HARNESS (DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE) INSULATION IS DEGRADING RESULTING IN BULBS MALFUNCTIONING/BURNING OUT REGULARLY/SHORTING OUT/BLOWN FUSES, AND POSSIBLY AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. AN EMPLOYEES AT ONE BMW DEALERSHIP, SAID BMW IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE' UNTIL THEY ARE FORCED TO BY THE GOVERNMENT OR A LAWSUIT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10917423October 19, 2016
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10914961October 9, 2016
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLAMP WIRING AND CONNECTOR HAS CRUMBLED OFF LEAVING BARE WIRES EXPOSED AND SHORTING OUT WITH POSSIBILITY OF CAUSING FIRE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10903554September 4, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE VEHICLE IS MADE WITH INFERIOR WIRE COATING THAT CAN AND I'M SURE HAS RESULTED IN FIRES. NOT TO MENTION THE FEATURES OF THE LIGHTS CAN AND WILL STOP WORKING UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS ALSO CAUSES SHORTS IN THE WIRING OF THE SWITCH IN THE DASH I BELIEVE AND POSSIBLE BATTERY DRAIN LEAVING PEOPLE STRANDED OR EVEN HAVING CAR DIE WHILE IN MOTION. BMW HAD MY CAR FOR 3 WEEKS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT ALL THEIR OTHER FAULTY ISSUES - THEY FINALLY HAD THEIR HEAD FOREMAN TAKE THE CAR HOME WITH HIM AND GO OVER IT WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB. HE FIXED MOST OF THE ISSUES. THEY HAD SENT ME HOME WITH MY CAR 3 OR 4 TIMES TELLING ME MY ISSUES WERE RESOLVED ONLY FOR THE CAR TO STALL, SMELL LIKE BURNING RUBBER OR JUST NOT START. THEY WERE ALSO AWARE OF THE FAULTY WIRING BUT DID NOT LIST IT AS AN ITEM OF EMINENT CONCERN - HOWEVER AFTER TAKING CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC FOR A BLOWN BULB A MONTH LATER THEY EXPRESSED TO ME THE EXTREME FIRE HAZARD THE VEHICLE WIRING POSED AND THAT BECAUSE OF THE NATURE (OR PROBLEMATIC DESIGN RATHER) OF BMW THEY WERE NOT AT LIBERTY TO DELVE INTO SUCH MATTERS. BMW IS THE UTMOST MORALLY REPREHENSIBLE AUTO MAKER I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED FROM START TO FINISH. MY LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AND I WAS ALMOST HIT BY A DRIVER IN A LARGE ESCALADE AROUND DUSK A WEEK AGO. WHAT'S WORSE IS WHEN I TOOK VEHICLE TO BMW I WAS ALSO HAVING THEM FIX THE TAIL LIGHT RECALL THAT IS PRONE TO CAUSE FIRES. I HAVE NEVER MET MORE INCOMPETENT PEOPLE. YOU DO NOT GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10899649August 30, 2016
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HAD TO REPLACE A HEADLIGHT BULB AND A TURN SIGNAL BULB. WHEN OPENING THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO ACCESS THE TWO BULBS MUCH OF THE INSULATION ON THE WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY JUST CRUMBLED AWAY INTO VERY TINY PIECES AND DUST, WHICH FELL INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE ASSEMBLY. IT'S AS IF THE WIRE INSULATION HAS DRIED OUT AND FAILED IN THE EIGHT YEARS SINCE THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. NOW MOST OF THE WIRING IS JUST BARE AND EXPOSED. THE WIRING CAN'T BE ACCESSED FROM OUTSIDE AND THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DOES NOT COME APART. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE WIRING SHORT CIRCUITING AND POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE IN THE HEADLIGHTS. I'M 68 YEARS AND HAVE OWNED 13 DIFFERENT CARS FROM AMERICAN AND GERMAN MANUFACTURERS. I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED ANYTHING LIKE THIS. I THINK THERE IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WIRING. I CONTACTED BMW ABOUT THIS AND THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THIS MAY BE A SIGNIFICANT DEFECT THAT COULD AFFECT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR. I HAVE DONE SOME SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS SERIES OF BMW CARS. BMW WON'T AKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM AND WON'T PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE OTHER THAN TO SUGGEST THAT I BUY NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES FROM THEM WHICH WERE MADE WITH THE SAME POOR QUALITY WIRING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10891501July 28, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS DETECTED IN OUR GARAGE. UPON CHECKING OUR CLASSIC AUTOMOBILE AND RULING IT OUT WE THEN REALIZED IT WAS OUR 2008 BMW 528I WITH 61,800 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. THE ODOR WAS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. WE HAD TO REMOVE THE CAR FROM THE GARAGE WHERE IT NORMALLY PARKS NEAR A GAS WATER HEATER SO AS TO AVOID POSSIBLE IGNITION WITHIN THE CONFINES OF OUR GARAGE. I THEN SEARCHED ON THE INTER NET : "WHY DOES MY 2008 BMW 528I SMELL LIKE GAS ALL THE SUDDEN", TO MY SURPRISE THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF POSTS WITHIN BIMMER FORUMS AND OTHERWISE REGARDING THIS VERY ISSUE. WHAT GAVE ME PAUSE IS THAT IN MY SITUATION AS WITH MANY OTHERS, AN ENGINE AND OR EMISSIONS FAULT CODE WAS NEVER SENT TO THE MAIN SCREEN FOR THE OPERATOR TO IDENTIFY AND TAKE IT IN FOR REPAIRS. I CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND GAVE THIS INFORMATION AND ASKED IF ANY RECALLS OR BULLETINS WERE RECORDED AND WAS TOLD THERE WEREN'T. I THEN CALLED MY LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP HERE IN TUCSON, AZ. AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THERE WAS IN FACT A NOTE REGARDING THE CHAR COAL CANISTER BEING UNABLE TO PROCESS THE GASOLINE FUMES WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES REACH OR EXCEED 100-101 DEGREES FARENHEIT. IT HAS BEEN IN THAT RANGE HERE NOW FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS. I NOW AS OF 28 JULY 2016 HAVE MY CAR IN THE BMW SHOP FOR REPAIRS AND WHAT THEY FOUND WAS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS LEAKING THROUGH THE TOP OF THE TANK AND A PUDDLE OF GAS HAS FORMED. AGAIN WHY NO ENGINE CODES WHEN A SEALED SYSTEM FAULTS AND LEAKS AND A KNOWN ISSUE LIKE THE CHAR COAL CANISTER EXISTS. MY HOPE IS THAT THIS AGENCY INVESTIGATES AND ISSUES A RECALL NOTICE. I AM GOING TO BE CHARGED $700.00+ FOR AN ISSUE WHICH IS WIDELY KNOWN OF ACROSS THE WEB AND WHICH MY DEALERSHIP FOUND NOT ALL THAT UNUSUAL. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10860416April 19, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THERE IS A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES THAT I NOTICE UPON OPENING THE DRIVER DOOR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10846131March 11, 2016
POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED SEVERELY AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE AND THE POWER TRAIN WAS NOT OPERATIONAL. AFTER THE THIRD ATTEMPT TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE, IT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY AND THE "SERVICE VEHICLE, NO POWER TRAIN WAS DETECTED" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10809728December 11, 2015
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO UTILIZE THE SEAT HEATING SYSTEM, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE BACKREST OF THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HAD A SMALL BURN HOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V575000 (SEATS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. ....UPDATED 01/13/16 *BF; UPDATED 05/10/18*JB *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10807367November 30, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
INSULATION COVERING HEADLIGHT WIRING CRACKS OFF LEAVING LARGE AMOUNTS OF BARE AREAS. THIS RESULTED IN ELECTRICAL SHORTS, DRAINING BATTERY, ERRATIC ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BEHAVIOR, BLOWN HEADLIGHT BULBS, AND AN INTERMITTENT BURNING SMELL IN MY CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10778856September 30, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WIRING OF FRONT HEADLIGHTS FLAKING OFF AND EXPOSING BARE WIRE. THE SHORT OF THE WIRES CAUSED THE PLASTIC OF HOLDING HEADLAMP TO BUBBLE AND MELT AS A CONSEQUENCE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10767400September 22, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAR GAS HAVEN'T BEEN AS USUAL TOOK CAR FOR OIL CHANG ROTATION OF TIRES. DISCOVERED GAS LEAKAGE. LOOKING AT POSSIBLE FUEL LINE OR PUMP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10764209September 16, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HELLO I'M REPORTING IN REGARDS TO AN ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE. FOR APPROXIMATELY THE PAST MONTH I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH A GASOLINE SMELL COMING FROM MY VEHICLE. I FIRST THOUGHT I WAS OVER FILLING SO CHANGED THE AMOUNT OF GAS I PUT IN THE VEHICLE. THAT STILL DIDN'T STOP THE SMELL FROM COMING BACK. SO I DECIDED TO SCHEDULE MY VEHICLE FOR AN APPOINTMENT. AS A RESULT THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THEY SMELLED IT BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND A LEAK. I DROVE HOME WITHOUT A STRONG SMELL BUT BY THE TIME I ARRIVED TO THE DESTINATION IT WAS EVIDENT AGAIN. I CONTACTED A FEW OTHER BMW AUTHORIZED DEALERS AND TALKED WITH SERVICE ADVISORS AND THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUCH ISSUE/CONCERN. AT ONE DEALERSHIP THE ADVISOR HUNG UP ON ME WHILE I WAS EXPLAINING IT. I READ A FEW ARTICLES WHERE OTHER BMW OWNERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE, SOME WHO CARS CAUGHT ON FIRE. THIS MADE ME BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT THAT CAUSES THIS ISSUE. SO I CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND WAS TOLD BY JOEY THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I CAN'T KEEP PAYING DIAGNOSTIC FEES FOR THEM TO DETERMINE NOTHING IS WRONG. I HAD IT ESCALATED AND WAS TOLD BY KAYLA THAT I NEED TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP. NEVER WAS I OFFERED TO HAVE IT CHECKED FOR FREE. I UNDERSTAND I'M OUT OF WARRANTY BUT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES WITHOUT BEING TOLD AN ISSUE EXISTS IS ROBBERY. I JUST WANT MY CAR CONCERN RESOLVED BEFORE ANYONE IS INJURED OR HARMED AS A RESULT OF THE ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10734096July 14, 2015
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, THROUGH CITY STREETS, THE ENGINE STALLED. I WAS NEARLY IN AN ACCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT IT STALLED AGAIN IN LESS THAN 3 MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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