2008 BMW 328I engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 17V683000Oct 30, 2017740,561 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Mar 3, 2026VAAirbagsEngine

   RECALL OMISSION & SAFETY DISPUTE (Case #10683843): I am reporting two documented safety defects in my 2008 BMW 328i (N51 engine) that are identical to existing Federal Safety Recalls but have been omitted from the recall VIN list for this model year. 1. AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE (Recall 17V-428): The vehicle has a confirmed Fault Code 93C3 (Passenger Seat Occupancy Mat). This is the exact failure mode described in Recall 17V-428. This defect has deactivated the front passenger…

   NHTSA complaint #11721868 · source
2. Filed Jun 26, 2025CAEngine

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11669558 · source
3. Filed Sep 27, 2024MIEngine

   My vehicle was not included in BMW Recall "23V-707: Replace Vanos Adjustment Unit Screw Connection" but has suffered the same failure described in this recall. My VANOS adjustment unit screws came loose and caused my engine to completely stall in the middle of traffic on a very busy road [XXX] ). I lost some braking ability and narrowly avoided a major collision. I've been having issues with misfires related to my VANOS system and today I found that despite being told my…

   NHTSA complaint #11616928 · source
4. Filed Apr 9, 2024TXFireElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

   My vehicle engine cooling fan caught fire one evening while following behind someone to make sure they made it to a parking lot safely due to their own vehicle having problems requiring them to stay under around 20mph. Once we made it to a parking lot, i exited my vehicle to check on the other person, and realized there was smoke starting to come out from under my hood. My husband waited for me to pull the hood release and then proceeded to lift the hood, only to discover my…

   NHTSA complaint #11581845 · source
5. Filed Mar 27, 2024ILEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11579798 · source
6. Filed Oct 20, 2023ALEngine

   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. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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 had not experienced a failure.…

   NHTSA complaint #11551066 · source
7. Filed Jul 29, 2023FLElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   On all e90 series 3 (2008 bmw 328i), the pcv valve fails and is welded into the valve cover, thus if it leaks or gets cracks in the orange membrane, it will cause car to stall.. I almost crashed 2x and this part should be recalled..it affects the fuel air ratio in bmw e90, and the car will run lean and not receive enough gas as air is leaking from the broken membrane in the pvc valve. Bmw will throw engine codes with lit check engine light on dash. This should be a recall as…

   NHTSA complaint #11535228 · source
8. Filed May 12, 2023100,000 miCAEngine

   The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, she noticed an abnormally strong burning odor coming from under the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that an independent mechanic had previously repaired the vehicle for a similar failure. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) that she related to the failure. The local dealer was not contacted.…

   NHTSA complaint #11521668 · source
9. Filed Apr 21, 2023170,000 miCAEngine

   The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328I. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. There was smoke coming from the engine compartment while the vehicle was shuddering. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the PCV stem seals and cap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and…

   NHTSA complaint #11518311 · source
10. Filed Apr 10, 2023CAEngine

    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.

    NHTSA complaint #11516276 · source
11. Filed Mar 30, 2023208,000 miCAEngineSteering

    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…

    NHTSA complaint #11514696 · source
12. Filed Mar 13, 2023114,000 miVAElectrical SystemEngine

    The contact owned a 2008 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving at an undetermined speed, there was smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle overheated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the engine was misfiring. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the PCV valve heater was melted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was…

    NHTSA complaint #11511586 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology