Illustration2008 BMW 535I - CAR HAS HAD 3 FUEL PUMPS, 3 SEPARATE VISITS FOR PLUGS / INJECTORS, LAST VISIT FOR REPLACED FUEL PUMP CREATED LARGE FUEL LEAK IN CAR WHICH RESULTED IN TOW TO DEALER. ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT PROBLEM. HPFP, REPEATED ENGINE PROGRAM. *TR
2008 BMW 5 Series
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 5 Series years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
470–25K
3025–50K
950–75K
475–100K
1100–150K
0150K+
91 reports with mileage · 7 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
36 reports2008 BMW 528I. CONSUMER STATES UNEXPLAINED ENGINE SHUT DOWN *TGW THE NAVIGATION SCREEN FLASHED OVERHEATING; REDUCE SPEED; AND PULL OVER, THEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHEN THE THIRD MESSAGE WAS RECEIVED. THE SHUT DOWN WAS TRACED TO A FAULTY ELECTRONIC WATER PUMP. *JB
REDUCED POWER FROM ENGINE. PRESSED ACCELERATOR AND ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND WITH REGULAR POWER. REDUCED POWER IN TRAFFIC AT 40MPH. PULLED OVER SHUT OFF ENGINE AND RESTARTED WITH FULL RETURN OF POWER. ONE REPEAT OF PROBLEM 3 MONTHS LATER WITH SIMILAR RESULTS. DEALER REPLACED FUEL INJECTION AUXILIARY PARTS. TOO SOON TO KNOW IF PROBL…
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REDUCED POWER FROM ENGINE. PRESSED ACCELERATOR AND ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND WITH REGULAR POWER. REDUCED POWER IN TRAFFIC AT 40MPH. PULLED OVER SHUT OFF ENGINE AND RESTARTED WITH FULL RETURN OF POWER. ONE REPEAT OF PROBLEM 3 MONTHS LATER WITH SIMILAR RESULTS. DEALER REPLACED FUEL INJECTION AUXILIARY PARTS. TOO SOON TO KNOW IF PROBLEM WILL RECUR. *TR
CAR LOSES POWER 2008 BMW.535I *WE HAD JUST GOTTEN IT OUT OF THE SHOP (NEW PLUGS AND NEW BRAKES ,CHANGED THE OIL AIR FILTER FULL SERVICE) AND THE NEXT DAY WE HAD GONE OUT FOR SUPPER WHEN THE CAR WOULD BARRLY RUN IT WAS LIKE IT HAD 2 CYCLINDERS. HAD THE BMW PLACE PICK UP AND THEY SAID IT WAS LOW FUEL PUMP AND THEY HAD TO ORDER.…
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CAR LOSES POWER 2008 BMW.535I *WE HAD JUST GOTTEN IT OUT OF THE SHOP (NEW PLUGS AND NEW BRAKES ,CHANGED THE OIL AIR FILTER FULL SERVICE) AND THE NEXT DAY WE HAD GONE OUT FOR SUPPER WHEN THE CAR WOULD BARRLY RUN IT WAS LIKE IT HAD 2 CYCLINDERS. HAD THE BMW PLACE PICK UP AND THEY SAID IT WAS LOW FUEL PUMP AND THEY HAD TO ORDER. WHEN THEY GOT THAT IN IT DID NOT FIX IT SO THE PUT ANOTHER SET OF PLUGS AND NEW COILS AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IN ALSO. THEY ENDED UP COVERING THE WHOLE BILL. BUT IT SEEMS NOT TO RUN LIKE IT USE TO. NOT AS MUCH POWER. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND MORE INFO ON PROBLEM AND HOW THEY EXTENDED WARRANTY.* TR
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, REDUCED POWER CAME ON, BROUGHT CAR INTO SHOP. THEY "REPAIRED" CAR FOR 10 MINUTES.. CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 30 MPH WHEN IT RAN. IT SHOOK VIOLENTLY. CAR STOPPED AND HAD TO BE FLAT BEDDED. DANGER! BMW BOUGHT ME OUT OF MY LEASE..THESE CARS SHOULD NOT BE SOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT COMES ON AND THERE IS LOSS OF POWER. THIS IS THE SECOND EPISODE. AFTER THE FIRST EPISODE I HAD TAKEN IT TO BMW DEALER,THEY HAD IT INSPECTED IT AND SAID IT WAS A SOFTWARE GLITCH AND FIXED IT. I HAPPENED TODAY AGAIN AND HAD TAKEN MY CAR TO BMW DEALER AND THEY SAY IT IS FUEL PUMP PROBLEM AND GAVE A THURSDAY…
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ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT COMES ON AND THERE IS LOSS OF POWER. THIS IS THE SECOND EPISODE. AFTER THE FIRST EPISODE I HAD TAKEN IT TO BMW DEALER,THEY HAD IT INSPECTED IT AND SAID IT WAS A SOFTWARE GLITCH AND FIXED IT. I HAPPENED TODAY AGAIN AND HAD TAKEN MY CAR TO BMW DEALER AND THEY SAY IT IS FUEL PUMP PROBLEM AND GAVE A THURSDAY APPOINTMENT TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. CURRENTLY I AM FACING ATLEAST A 40% POWER REDUCTION. *TR
2008 BMW 535I "ENGINE MALFUNCTION - REDUCED POWER!" MESSAGE ON 06/07/10. IT HAS AROUND 30K MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A WASTEGATE MALFUNCTION. I PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALER ON 06/08/10 AND DROVE IT TO FLORIDA ON 06/09/10. AFTER BEING IN FLORIDA FOR 4 DAYS, THE PROBLEM RETURNED. THE I-…
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2008 BMW 535I "ENGINE MALFUNCTION - REDUCED POWER!" MESSAGE ON 06/07/10. IT HAS AROUND 30K MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A WASTEGATE MALFUNCTION. I PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALER ON 06/08/10 AND DROVE IT TO FLORIDA ON 06/09/10. AFTER BEING IN FLORIDA FOR 4 DAYS, THE PROBLEM RETURNED. THE I-DRIVE SYSTEM FROZE AND EVENTUALLY POWERED OFF AND CAME RIGHT BACK ON. THE CAR SAT OVERNIGHT, AND I MADE IT BACK TO ATLANTA THE NEXT DAY WITHOUT ANY ISSUES (NO ERROR ON THE DISPLAY). TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY, 06/14 AND THIS TIME A LOW PRESSURE SENSOR WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE PROBLEM. PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALER YESTERDAY (06/16) AND DROVE HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. DROVE TO WORK TODAY (06/17), NO PROBLEM. ON THE WAY HOME TODAY, THE PROBLEM RESURFACED. THE CAR WILL BE GOING BACK TO THE DEALER TOMORROW. THIS WILL BE THE 3RD TIME IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS. THESE CARS APPEAR TO BE DEFECTIVE. THIS IS REALLY FRUSTRATING! *TR
2008 BMW 535XI- ENGINE FAILURES AND REDUCED POWER AT HIGH SPEEDS- VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
1. VEHICLE LOSES POWER 2. ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT COMES ONE. 11/2008, 2/2009 & 4/2010 3. GAS FUEL PUMP REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 18 MONTHS. *TR
MY 2008 535 BMW FUEL PUMP WENT OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME. THIS TIME MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. SHE WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. THE CAR DID NOT HAVE POWER. THANK GOD THE ON COMING TRAFFIC STOPED. BMW IS NOT TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION
Official recalls
322V119000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)
Mar 2, 2022
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
12V126000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables
Mar 26, 2012
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
10V446000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
Oct 1, 2010
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.