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2008 BMW 5 Series

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

40 reports
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32,000 miles · Aug 12, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAD MY CAR IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE TWO WEEKS AGO, AND I MENTIONED THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN SLOW TO START IN THE MORNING, AND IDLED ROUGHLY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS 'REPROGRAMMED" AND THAT SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE. YESTERDAY, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE CAR LOST ACCELE…

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I HAD MY CAR IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE TWO WEEKS AGO, AND I MENTIONED THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN SLOW TO START IN THE MORNING, AND IDLED ROUGHLY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS 'REPROGRAMMED" AND THAT SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE. YESTERDAY, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE CAR LOST ACCELERATION, AND I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE RIGHT, THROUGH 3 LANES OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WITH A CAR THAT BARELY ACCELERATED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHO SAID IT WAS A BAD SENSOR. THIS MORNING, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR WITH MY 3 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER AND THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. MY WIFE TRIED TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER, BUT THE ENGINE DIED AT THE LIGHT. SHE STARTED THE CAR AGAIN, AND MADE IT HALFWAY INTO THE INTERSECTION, AND THE CAR DIED AGAIN. SHE WAS VERY WORRIED THAT SHE WAS GOING TO GET HIT WHILE STUCK IN THE INTERSECTION. FINALLY, AFTER A FEW MORE CYCLES OF STARTING THE CAR, GOING A FEW FEET, AND THE CAR DYING, SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN, AND NOW THEY ARE CHANGING THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349091

28,300 miles · Aug 5, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

HAVE HAD 3 SEPARATE INSTANCES IN THE PAST 9 MONTHS WHERE MY CAR STALLED OR SPUTTERED WITH LOSS OF POWER , AND ONCE I HAD NO STEERING OR BRAKING ABILITY. DANGEROUS SITUATION IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347519

22,500 miles · Jul 31, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 2008 BMW 535 XI THAT HAS SHOWN THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER/ENGINE MALFUNCTION WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY TWICE. THE CAR REFUSED TO ACCELERATE AND BECAME VERY HARD TO MANEUVER. THANKFULLY, BOTH TIMES I WAS WITHIN A MILE OF THE HIGHWAY EXIT. I AM HESITANT TO DRIVE THIS CAR ON LONG TRAVELS BECAUSE A REDUCED ENGINE POWER MALFUNCTI…

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I HAVE A 2008 BMW 535 XI THAT HAS SHOWN THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER/ENGINE MALFUNCTION WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY TWICE. THE CAR REFUSED TO ACCELERATE AND BECAME VERY HARD TO MANEUVER. THANKFULLY, BOTH TIMES I WAS WITHIN A MILE OF THE HIGHWAY EXIT. I AM HESITANT TO DRIVE THIS CAR ON LONG TRAVELS BECAUSE A REDUCED ENGINE POWER MALFUNCTION COULD ENDANGER ME AND MY FAMILY. BMW ATTEMPTED TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS FIRST BY REPLACING THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND THEN BY REPLACING ALL OF THE FUEL INJECTORS. THUS FAR THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN BETTER BUT I AM STILL LEERY OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10346510

10,000 miles · Jul 27, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

WE WERE DRIVING ON A 55 MPH SPEED LIMIT ROAD. WE WERE GOING UP A SLOPE, OUR CAR ( BMW 5 SERIES) SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND WE WERE UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR BEYOND 30 MPH. WE HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER CONTACTING BMW, THEY INFORMED US THAT THEY CAN NOT TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AS ALL THE DEALERS ARE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS. SO…

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WE WERE DRIVING ON A 55 MPH SPEED LIMIT ROAD. WE WERE GOING UP A SLOPE, OUR CAR ( BMW 5 SERIES) SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND WE WERE UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR BEYOND 30 MPH. WE HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER CONTACTING BMW, THEY INFORMED US THAT THEY CAN NOT TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AS ALL THE DEALERS ARE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS. SO WE DROVE THE CAR SLOWLY TO THE HOUSE ( 3 MILES AWAY). THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER NEXT DAY, WERE TOLD THAT IT IS A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED. NOW WE HAVE THE CAR BACK. BMW DEALER MENTIONED THAT THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN, BMW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. ALSO MENTIONED THAT SUCH A FAILURE IS AN ACCEPTABLE PRICE FOR THE CAR'S GREAT ENGINE. MY WIFE STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE THE ENGINE MAY FAIL WITH THE CHILDREN WITH HER IN THE CAR, IT WILL BE DANGEROUS. EVERY TIME I TAKE THE CAR TO AND FROM WORK I AM WORRIED THAT THE ENGINE MAY FAIL AND TRULY CAN NOT TRUST THE "GREAT ENGINE" THAT THE DEALER IS SO PROUD OF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345589

34,000 miles · Jul 27, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

ON 5/20/10, MY 2008 BMW 535XI SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON A SINGLE LANE, RESULTING IN A NEAR REAR-END COLLISION. THIS HAPPENED ONCE PREVIOUSLY. BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE DEALER SAID THEY REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE LATEST INCIDENCE TO BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES DEPART…

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ON 5/20/10, MY 2008 BMW 535XI SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON A SINGLE LANE, RESULTING IN A NEAR REAR-END COLLISION. THIS HAPPENED ONCE PREVIOUSLY. BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE DEALER SAID THEY REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE LATEST INCIDENCE TO BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES DEPARTMENT, CASE # [XXX] ???. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345570

53,020 miles · Jul 26, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

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

NHTSA ODI #10345222

16,400 miles · Jul 24, 2010
EquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

JUNE, 2010 - I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 BMW 535 STATION WAGON ON THE HIGHWAY (LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY I-495, NEW YORK) AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR LURCHED, MADE A LOUD NOISE AND LOST POWER. BMW REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. AUGUST 2009 - THE CAR STARTED BUT LIGHTS ON DASH BOARD WENT ON SAYING "VEHICLE HAD REDUCED POW…

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JUNE, 2010 - I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 BMW 535 STATION WAGON ON THE HIGHWAY (LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY I-495, NEW YORK) AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR LURCHED, MADE A LOUD NOISE AND LOST POWER. BMW REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. AUGUST 2009 - THE CAR STARTED BUT LIGHTS ON DASH BOARD WENT ON SAYING "VEHICLE HAD REDUCED POWER". IT WAS TOWED TO BMW DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. AUGUST 2008 - THE BMW LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS TOWED TO DEALER. THEY MADE A REPAIR TO THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345080

55,000 miles · Jul 24, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

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

NHTSA ODI #10345043

44,000 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PREOWNED VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL 2010. THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE OWNER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE CUT OFF . THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. ON JUNE 2, 2010 THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AGAIN. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PREOWNED VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL 2010. THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE OWNER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE CUT OFF . THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. ON JUNE 2, 2010 THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALER REPLACED THAT FUEL PUMP WITH A "NEW" PUMP. THE DEALER WAS DELIVERING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE OWNER AND THE MECHANIC EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURE AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. BMW DECIDED TO TAKE A FUEL SAMPLE FROM THE TANK TO DETERMINE IF THE FUEL WAS THE CORRECT. THEY ALSO ADVISED THEY HAD FOUND DEBRIS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. BMW STATED THAT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE FUEL TANK OFF AND CLEAN IT AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE OF ABOUT $3,000.00 AS THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT WAITING FOR REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 44,000.

NHTSA ODI #10343931

3,000 miles · Jul 18, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 2008 BMW 535I AND RECEIVED THE DREADED "ENGINE MALFUNCTION - REDUCED POWER" READOUT. THE CAR WOULD NOT DEVELOP MORE THAN 1,500 RPMS. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED IMMEDIATELY THAT IT WAS A FAILED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, A RATHER COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. THE HPFP WAS…

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I HAVE A 2008 BMW 535I AND RECEIVED THE DREADED "ENGINE MALFUNCTION - REDUCED POWER" READOUT. THE CAR WOULD NOT DEVELOP MORE THAN 1,500 RPMS. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED IMMEDIATELY THAT IT WAS A FAILED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, A RATHER COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. THE HPFP WAS REPLACED AND THE CAR HAS PERFORMED FINE NOW FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS, ALTHOUGH THE AFOREMENTIONED READOUT DID APPEAR ONE MORE TIME, BUT I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED IT IMMEDIATELY AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343803

Official recalls

3

22V119000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.