22 of the
181 complaints about the 2008 BMW 528I are about the
airbag system — 12% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
100,200 miles.
My BMW i528 was parked on May 23, 2024, and the driver airbag deflated without being tampered with. The incident is on surveillance camera. Since the car was manufactured in 2008, the insurance company will not cover the cost of the incident because it was not the result of a collision. There was no light that came on prior to the incident. A diagnostic check was performed and there was no indication of a problem with the airbag.
NHTSA complaint #11594190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pacifica, CA
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT (SRS) FAILURE. 2ND TIME THIS SAFETY RELATED SENSOR HAS FAILED. FIRST TIME DEALERSHIP REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE FOR REPLACEMENT NOW. THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED ITEM AND IT HAS FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT SAME ITEM HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR PRIOR MODELS AND YEARS. I BELIEVE THIS ITEM SHALL BE RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #11329844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,000 milesHouston, TX
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED, THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAIN SYSTEM WAS DEACTIVATED AND TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT WAS DEACTIVATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000.
NHTSA complaint #11301050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,000 milesHouston, TX
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED, THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAIN SYSTEM WAS DEACTIVATED AND TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT WAS DEACTIVATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000.
NHTSA complaint #11301050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,000 milesHouston, TX
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED, THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAIN SYSTEM WAS DEACTIVATED AND TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT WAS DEACTIVATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000.
NHTSA complaint #11301050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Mateo, CA
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. THIS STARTED HAPPENING A YEAR AGO AFTER VISITING DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CHANGE. I CANNOT HAVE PASSENGER NEXT TO ME BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID OF MALFUNCTION IN AIRBAG SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #11289086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Mateo, CA
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. THIS STARTED HAPPENING A YEAR AGO AFTER VISITING DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CHANGE. I CANNOT HAVE PASSENGER NEXT TO ME BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID OF MALFUNCTION IN AIRBAG SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #11289086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Mateo, CA
AIR BAGS
FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. THIS STARTED HAPPENING A YEAR AGO AFTER VISITING DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CHANGE. I CANNOT HAVE PASSENGER NEXT TO ME BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID OF MALFUNCTION IN AIRBAG SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #11289086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hollister, CA
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING
NHTSA complaint #11193043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hollister, CA
AIR BAGS
SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING
NHTSA complaint #11193043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hollister, CA
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING
NHTSA complaint #11193043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pacifica, CA
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
AIR BAG SENSOR FOR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NOT WORKING. REPLACED ONCE WHILE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. SAME SENSOR MALFUNCTION AGAIN. BMW WILL NOT REPLACE UNLESS I PAY, COST OF REPLACING SENSOR OVER 4,000.00. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY BMW SINCE SAME PART IS AGAIN NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #11165539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pacifica, CA
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG SENSOR FOR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NOT WORKING. REPLACED ONCE WHILE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. SAME SENSOR MALFUNCTION AGAIN. BMW WILL NOT REPLACE UNLESS I PAY, COST OF REPLACING SENSOR OVER 4,000.00. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY BMW SINCE SAME PART IS AGAIN NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #11165539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pacifica, CA
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
AIR BAG SENSOR FOR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NOT WORKING. REPLACED ONCE WHILE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. SAME SENSOR MALFUNCTION AGAIN. BMW WILL NOT REPLACE UNLESS I PAY, COST OF REPLACING SENSOR OVER 4,000.00. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY BMW SINCE SAME PART IS AGAIN NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #11165539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 176,000 milesBatesville, MS
AIR BAGS
ERROR CODE 93C8 - DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG SENSOR MALFUNCTION
NHTSA complaint #11033324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesHallandale, FL
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10980259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 136,298 milesRiverside, CA
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10946824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesPasadena, CA
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10917423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,200 milesOrlando, FL
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG AND THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE A PASSENGER WAS OCCUPYING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. THE INTERIOR WARNING LIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER AND THE CHIME SOUNDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PADDED SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,200.
NHTSA complaint #10712451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesBaton Rouge, LACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PARKING BARRIER ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT FROM THE AIR BAG, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN LEFT ARM. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF HIS DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #10605619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesLiberty, MO
AIR BAGS
DURING AN AUTOMATED CAR WASH, THE FOLLOWING WARNING DISPLAYS: "FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAIN SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER, OR BELT FORCE LIMITER". THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT BECOME ACTIVATED WHEN THIS HAPPENS AS WELL. THE WARNING MESSAGE WILL STAY ON FOR HOURS AFTER THE CAR GETS MODERATELY WET, EITHER IN A RAIN STORM OR A CAR WASH. EVEN IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND THEN TURNED BACK ON THE MESSAGE AND ERRORS WILL PERSIST. IT TAKES ABOUT 8-10 HOURS FOR THE ERROR TO GO AWAY. THIS HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY AND IS EASILY REPEATABLE. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS APRIL 13, 2014, WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A RAIN STORM.
NHTSA complaint #10579456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,700 milesNewark, NJ
AIR BAGS
RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING PERIODICALLY COMES ON WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS DEFAULT DEACTIVATES AIRBAGS. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER TO FIX 4 TIMES, AND TODAY THEY DECIDED TO CHARGE A FEE. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH MY CAR AND MANY OTHERS WITH RECALLS OF THE EXACT SAME MODEL BUT 2 YEARS OLDER.
NHTSA complaint #10532957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.