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2008 BMW 328XI

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

59 reports with mileage · 40 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports18 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

46 reports
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38,000 miles · May 9, 2013
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AREA. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE IGNITED IN FLAMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A POLICE AND A FIRE REPORT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AREA. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE IGNITED IN FLAMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A POLICE AND A FIRE REPORT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA ODI #10511247

60,000 miles · Mar 4, 2013
Electrical System

MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED, ENGINE TURNED OFF, STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND IT WORK. CAME BACK AFTER DROPPING THE KIDS AND AFTER THE CAR IN PARK, REMOVED THE KEY AND FAN WAS ON. TRIED STARTING THE CAR AND WHITE SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NOW THE BATTERY DRAIN, CAR WONT START, THE DASHBOARD FLICKERS. CALLED BMW AND…

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MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED, ENGINE TURNED OFF, STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND IT WORK. CAME BACK AFTER DROPPING THE KIDS AND AFTER THE CAR IN PARK, REMOVED THE KEY AND FAN WAS ON. TRIED STARTING THE CAR AND WHITE SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NOW THE BATTERY DRAIN, CAR WONT START, THE DASHBOARD FLICKERS. CALLED BMW AND TOLD THEM AND SAID THE SYMPTOMS POINT TO RECALL ISSUE, NO RESPONSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10501245

40,000 miles · Sep 10, 2012
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT INTO VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT INTO VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10474504

52,000 miles · May 21, 2012
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

I WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR. THE CARS LOCKS WOULD NOT UNLOCK USING THE UNLOCK BUTTON OR USING THE KEY FOB, NOR WOULD PULLING THE HANDLE UNLOCK OR OPEN THE DOOR. I CALLED BMW ASSIST AND THEY INDICATED THAT THEY HAD HEARD OF SEVERAL SIMILAR ISSUES AND THAT THE ONLY OPTION MAY BE CLIMBING OUT THE WINDOW. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS …

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I WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR. THE CARS LOCKS WOULD NOT UNLOCK USING THE UNLOCK BUTTON OR USING THE KEY FOB, NOR WOULD PULLING THE HANDLE UNLOCK OR OPEN THE DOOR. I CALLED BMW ASSIST AND THEY INDICATED THAT THEY HAD HEARD OF SEVERAL SIMILAR ISSUES AND THAT THE ONLY OPTION MAY BE CLIMBING OUT THE WINDOW. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS A CPO FROM A BMW DEALERSHIP APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS PRIOR. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10459121

29,142 miles · Jul 7, 2011
Electrical SystemFire

DROVE MY 2008 BMW 328XI SEDAN TO WORK SITE ABOUT 54 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOME TOWN WITH NO ISSUES. AFTER A LONG DAY OF WORK, GOT INTO CAR AND STARTED ENGINE. NOTICED SMOKING COMING OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OPEN HOOD AND NOTICED SMALL FIRE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEAR SOME WIRING. SMALL BUT STILL ON FIRE. PUT …

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DROVE MY 2008 BMW 328XI SEDAN TO WORK SITE ABOUT 54 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOME TOWN WITH NO ISSUES. AFTER A LONG DAY OF WORK, GOT INTO CAR AND STARTED ENGINE. NOTICED SMOKING COMING OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OPEN HOOD AND NOTICED SMALL FIRE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEAR SOME WIRING. SMALL BUT STILL ON FIRE. PUT OUT FIRE BY BLOWING ON. CAR STARTED UP FINE WITH NO ERROR CODES. TRIED STARTING AGAIN, SAME RESULT. A ELECTRICAL SHORT WITH SMOKE AND FLAME. I PUT IT OUT AGAIN WITH WATER. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALER TO HAVE A REPAIR. BMW DEALER CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID THAT THE CAR HAD A ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS FIRE AND NO OTHER ISSUES. THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $2700 DOLLARS TO REPAIR AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER BMW'S WARRANTY. THIS CAR HAS 29000 MILES ON IT. HOW IN THE WORLD IS THIS NOT COVERED BY THEIR WARRANTY. THIS WAS A VEHICLE FIRE! IT IS NOT NORMAL FOR A CAR TO CATCH ON FIRE BY ITSELF IS IT NOT? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10410949

19,500 miles · Jun 28, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineSteering

BMW 328XI SPORTWAGON CAR POWER LOST SPORADICALLY WHILE CAR IS IN USE. 1ST TIME, CAR STOPPED AT STOP SIGN, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PULL OFF, CAR TURNED OFF. ALL POWER LOST ONLY AVAILABLE FUNCTION - BRAKES. 2ND TIME, SAME DAY AS 1ST INCIDENT, CAR MOVING APPROX 50MPH, HIT A BUMP, ALL CAR POWER LOST. ONLY AVAILABLE FEATURE, BRAKES. CA…

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BMW 328XI SPORTWAGON CAR POWER LOST SPORADICALLY WHILE CAR IS IN USE. 1ST TIME, CAR STOPPED AT STOP SIGN, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PULL OFF, CAR TURNED OFF. ALL POWER LOST ONLY AVAILABLE FUNCTION - BRAKES. 2ND TIME, SAME DAY AS 1ST INCIDENT, CAR MOVING APPROX 50MPH, HIT A BUMP, ALL CAR POWER LOST. ONLY AVAILABLE FEATURE, BRAKES. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART FOR APPROX 2.5 HOURS. OCCURRED IN CONSTRUCTION ZONE, SO CAR AND DRIVER SITTING IN TRAFFIC LANE. UNSURE WHAT WAS FIXED. SUPPOSEDLY SOME PART NEAR GAS PUMP HOLE THAT LEAKED - CORROSION ON COMPUTER - REPLACED. 3RD TIME - CAR CUT OFF WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH MAKING RIGHT HAND TURN. BRAKES WORKED ONLY. D/T LOSS OF POWER STEERING, CAR STOPPED IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. REPLACED "FUEL/AIR INTAKE" MODULATOR? NOT SURE OF THE NAME. OLD PART WAS AT DEALERSHIP. 4TH TIME - CAR CUT OFF WHILE MAKING LEFT HAND TURN IN BUSY INTERSECTION AT APPROX 15 MPH. ENTIRE ONBOARD COMPUTER REPLACED. 5TH TIME - TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH. WHILE CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS, CAR CUT OFF - RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. ALL REPAIRS DONE UNDER MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. PARTS MAY STILL BE AVAILABLE AT DEALERSHIP. EACH INCIDENT BETWEEN 2-4 WEEKS APART. DEALERSHIP KEPT CAR DURING LAST REPAIR FOR 6 WEEKS. STILL UNABLE TO REPAIR. REGIONAL REP CALLED AND SERVICED CAR AS WELL. NUMEROUS PARTS REPLACED AT THIS POINT, WITHOUT RESOLUTION. VERY BIG SAFETY ISSUE FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. DATE OF 1ST INCIDENT 3/9/2010. DATE OF MOST RECENT INCIDENT 5/26/2010. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10340427

Official recalls

3

24V513000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jul 3, 2024

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

Air Bags:frontal

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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

20V017000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

17V676000 · Electrical System:wiring

Oct 25, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.