How common are engine problems on the 2008 BMW 328xi?

NHTSA lists 38 engine-area complaints for the 2008 328xi, which is 38% of all 99 complaints filed for that model year.

At what mileage do engine problems usually show up?

The median mileage at failure for engine-area complaints on the 2008 328xi is 80,000 miles.

Is there a recall for the 2008 BMW 328xi engine?

The JSON lists no recall directly filed under this Engine component, but several sample complaints reference NHTSA campaigns 17V676000 and 17V683000 covering electrical system and engine/engine cooling issues.

What is the most reported engine issue?

Owners most often describe engine mount bolts corroding or shearing, which causes a bang or thumping noise, along with separate reports of burning odors, smoke, and fires.

Were there any injuries linked to these engine complaints?

NHTSA data for this component area lists 2 injuries and 8 fire incidents among the 38 complaints, with 0 crashes reported.

2008 BMW 328xi Engine Problems

Owners filed 38 engine-area complaints for the 2008 BMW 328xi, 38% of its 99 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 80,000. Reports include engine fires and broken engine mount bolts, though no engine-area recall is directly tied to this component list.

Engine complaints: 38; 38% of 99 complaints
All complaints this year: 99
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 8
Injuries reported: 2
Median mileage: 80,000 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

Engine mount bolts (aluminum, threaded into a magnesium block) corrode and shear, causing a loud bang and a thumping noise on sharp left turns.
Broken or fractured motor mount bolts let the engine shift in the bay, producing rough idling and vibration at stops.
Some owners smelled burning odors or saw smoke from vents or the engine bay while driving at low speeds, in a few cases followed by the vehicle catching fire.
Several fire-related complaints reference NHTSA recall campaigns 17V676000 and 17V683000 (electrical system and engine/engine cooling) where owners said replacement parts were unavailable at the time of complaint.
One owner reported the engine exploding into flames shortly after smoke was noticed, with no dashboard warning light before the event.

When 2008 BMW 328xi engine complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 8, 2011, latest Nov 4, 2022.

38 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2011 to Nov 2022; peak Dec 2017 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2008 BMW 328xi

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by 328xi model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

20060 (0%)
200748 (24%)
200838 (38%)
20093 (27%)
20107 (41%)
201137 (55%)
20120 (0%)
20138 (30%)
20145 (29%)
20155 (36%)
20160 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2008 BMW 328xi?: NHTSA lists 38 engine-area complaints for the 2008 328xi, which is 38% of all 99 complaints filed for that model year.
At what mileage do engine problems usually show up?: The median mileage at failure for engine-area complaints on the 2008 328xi is 80,000 miles.
Is there a recall for the 2008 BMW 328xi engine?: The JSON lists no recall directly filed under this Engine component, but several sample complaints reference NHTSA campaigns 17V676000 and 17V683000 covering electrical system and engine/engine cooling issues.
What is the most reported engine issue?: Owners most often describe engine mount bolts corroding or shearing, which causes a bang or thumping noise, along with separate reports of burning odors, smoke, and fires.
Were there any injuries linked to these engine complaints?: NHTSA data for this component area lists 2 injuries and 8 fire incidents among the 38 complaints, with 0 crashes reported.