Ten problems related to headlights have been reported for the 2008 BMW 528. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Driver side headlight went out, so I automatically assumed that the bull was blown. Went and bought $100 bull that controls the high beam and the low beams, replace the bulb, and the headlight still doesn't work. Took the ball back and got another bulb, and the headlight still doesn't work. As I was replacing the bulb I noticed bare wires showing, on multiple wires, as far as I could see. This is definitely a safety issue , as it could cause my car to catch fire.
When I attempted to install new low beam, high beam, and angel eye bulbs I discovered that all the protective coating on the wires inside the headlight assembly was missing or crumbling off. These exposed wires are a certain fire hazard. Any attempt to repair the wire coating resulted in more coating crumbling off, exposing yet more of the wire.
Headlight wiring inside headlight assembly is deteriorating badly. The protective coating is cracking and flaking off leaving the exposed copper core which in turn shorts out the lights. Possible fire hazard as well.
Replaced headlight bulb, passenger side, for the second time, within the past year, and about the fifth time (driver side and passenger side; headlight bulb and angel eye bulb) since we have owned the vehicle (purchased certified pre-owned from a BMW dealership, houston, TX). And the cause of the problem is inferior wiring insulation. The wiring insulation is deteriorating causing the bulbs to prematurely burn out and a possible fire hazard. The replacement bulbs are purchased from a local BMW store. They are not non-oem bulbs and they are not cheap. BMW needs to replace the entire headlight unit.
Headlights. . . . Angel eyes both sides burned off problem with electric sockets I would think!!! this is happening too a lot of BMW as reserch!.
Wiring inside headlight assemblies flaking off leaving bare wires.
I purchased a used 2008 BMW 528i mid-January of 2017. It was well maintained, a single owner vehicle with just over 60k miles. It has a clean carfax and a well documented history of regular maintenance at a BMW dealership in orlando, FL. After having the vehicle for just over 3 weeks, the passenger side day time running lamp went out. I received a "malfunction indicator lamp" (mil) on the dash so I investigated. Being at home and the vehicle in the garage, I removed the cover to the associated bulb, I noticed bare wiring that was associated with the plug-in connector (there are two wires). I thought this unusual and strange. I subsequently replaced the bulb but that did not repair the fault. Since the insulation on the faulty wiring was in contact with each other, it was providing a ground and shorting out the bulb. This could represent a potential for causing a fire and hazardous situation. Further research via the internet (forums), I was astounded at the amount of consumers who have expressed concern to BMW about this problem. Hella is the manufacturer of the headlight assembly for BMW. I am unsure at this time if BMW has expressed concern to hella of the potential liability associated with their substandard wiring in the headlight assembly. It appears over a 5-8 year period of use that the insulation is being subjected to high temperatures that cause brittleness, fractures and finally degrade to where the wiring becomes exposed. BMW is aware of this issue but does not appear concerned or motivated to resolve this problem. I am sure that there concerns revolve around profit margins, but I feel where safety is of concern, money should not be the reason for not correcting a problem. I respectfully request that investigation be conducted in order to discern the potential impact to consumers should this problem not be corrected by the manufacturer.
Insulation covering headlight wiring cracks off leaving large amounts of bare areas. This resulted in electrical shorts, draining battery, erratic electrical system behavior, blown headlight bulbs, and an intermittent burning smell in my car.
Headlights: wire insulation on head light cannon plugs is retracting from wires. This could cause an system electrical problem or fire.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528i. The contact stated that the inside of the headlight housing became abnormally foggy. The bulb also looked as if it was foggy and busted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacture was not notified about the possible default. The failure mileage was 78,000 and the current mileage was 80,000.