2008 BMW 328i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 BMW 328i has a Complaint Index of 64 and ranks 5th worst out of 12 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 239 complaints, 5 recalls, and 22 fire reports, with Engine problems the top category.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 64/100
- #5 of 12 328i years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 239
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 22
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 27.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2008 BMW 328i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine88 (37%)
- Electrical System87 (36%)
- Airbags83 (35%)
- Structure & Body22 (9%)
- Other19 (8%)
- Fuel System13 (5%)
- Brakes11 (5%)
- Seat Belts11 (5%)
- Steering7 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Electrical wiring can produce a burning smell or melt near the battery cable connector, sometimes while driving or idling.
- Some vehicles experienced engine stalling at highway speed with warning lights flashing, followed by loss of air conditioning, headlights, and radio.
- Smoke or fire has appeared from under the glove compartment or dashboard, in some cases requiring fire department response.
- Driver or passenger airbags failed to deploy correctly or deployed with excess force during low-speed crashes, causing injuries.
- Owners reported the engine overheating with smoke from the engine bay, requiring the vehicle to be pulled over and radiator fluid added.
- One owner described brake failure that led to a tree collision, with the airbag failing to deploy.
2008 BMW 328i recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V513000Jul 3, 2024Airbags394,029 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 17V683000Oct 30, 2017Engine740,561 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)
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.
Risk: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
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.
2008 BMW 328i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 27.5 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other 328i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 BMW 328i reliable?
- Compared to other 328i model years, the 2008 ranks 5th worst out of 12 with a Complaint Index of 64 and a Caution verdict. NHTSA records 239 complaints and 22 fire reports for this year.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW 328i?
- NHTSA data shows Engine complaints make up 37% of reports, followed closely by Electrical System issues at 36% and Airbags at 35%. Median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 98,500.
- Does the 2008 BMW 328i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2008 328i covering airbags (including a Takata-related campaign), engine PCV valve heaters, and wiring/electrical connectors. None are marked do-not-drive.
- Which BMW 328i model years should be avoided instead of 2008?
- NHTSA complaint data shows 2007, 2011, and 2013 all carry Avoid verdicts, with 2011 having the highest Complaint Index of 100. The 2008 model, at index 64, is rated Caution rather than Avoid.
- Is the 2008 BMW 328i fuel efficient?
- EPA rates the 2008 328i at 21 mpg combined (18 city / 27.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800.