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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

4 reports
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8,900 miles · May 18, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND COMING TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND IT AUTOMATICALLY SLOWED DOWN THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HESITATE AND ACCELERATE, BEFORE THE CONTACT REACHED HIS DESTINAT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND COMING TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND IT AUTOMATICALLY SLOWED DOWN THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HESITATE AND ACCELERATE, BEFORE THE CONTACT REACHED HIS DESTINATION. THE DEALER TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,900. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE FUEL PUMP WAS CLOGGED FOR THE SECOND TIME, WHICH WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE HESITATE WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. UPDATED 10/12/11

NHTSA ODI #10401444

7,299 miles · Sep 3, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ON APRIL 6, 2010 WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A SHOPPING CENTER, I APPLIED THE BRAKES ON OUR BMW 528I AND INSTEAD OF STOPPING, THE REAR WHEELS STARTED SPINNING, BURNING RUBBER ON THE PAVEMENT APX. 25 FT. BEFORE I COULD STOP BY PRESSING THE STOP/START SWITCH. FORTUNATELY NO CARS WERE PARKED IN FRONT OF MY PARKING SPACE …

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ON APRIL 6, 2010 WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A SHOPPING CENTER, I APPLIED THE BRAKES ON OUR BMW 528I AND INSTEAD OF STOPPING, THE REAR WHEELS STARTED SPINNING, BURNING RUBBER ON THE PAVEMENT APX. 25 FT. BEFORE I COULD STOP BY PRESSING THE STOP/START SWITCH. FORTUNATELY NO CARS WERE PARKED IN FRONT OF MY PARKING SPACE SO I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT HITTING ANYONE OR OTHER CARS. WHEN I GOT OVER THE SHOCK, I STARTED THE MOTOR AND IT WAS STILL UNDER FULL THROTTLE. AGAIN, I PRESSED THE STOP SWITCH. I WAS BLOCKING TRAFFIC SO AGAIN, I PRESSED THE START SWITCH AND THE MOTOR WAS RUNNING NORMALLY. I BACKED UP INTO MY ORIGINAL SPACE AND CALLED THE BMW DEALER WHO SENT A TOW-TRUCK TO DELIVER THE CAR TO THEIR SHOP. BMW SENT A FIELD TECHNICIAN TO INSPECT THE CAR ON 4/20/2010. I RECEIVED AN EMAIL STATING NO MECHANICAL FAULTS WERE IDENTIFIED BY ANYONE AND THE CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP OR A $25/DAY STORAGE FEE WOULD BE CHARGED TO US. I TOLD THEM I WOULD NEVER TAKE THE MORAL OR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN SO THEY AGREED TO DELIVER IT TO OUR HOME. I SENT AN EMAIL TO THE DEALER'S MGR. AND CALLED HIM SEVERAL TIMES TO ASK FOR A REPURCHASE OF THE CAR. WE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. WE WERE FORCED TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY WHO CONTACTED THE DEALER AND BMW REGIONAL OFFICE. THE REGIONAL OFFICE REVIEWED THE SERVICE RECORD AND REFUSED TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER SAID THE DECISION BY BMW REGIONAL OFFICE COULD NOT BE CHANGED. THIS LEFT US WITH NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO PAY OFF THE LEASE ONE YEAR EARLY AND GET THE CAR OUT OF OUR POSSESSION. A CASHIER'S CHECK FOR $5,694.87 WAS MAILED TO BMW ON 8/23/2010 AND THE CAR WAS PICKED UP ON 8/30/2010 WITH 7,299 MILES ON IT. BMW NOW HAS A CAR WORTH APX. $5,000 MORE THAN IT WILL BE AT THE END OF THE LEASE ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2011. IT ANGERS US THAT BMW WOULD FORCE US TO KEEP A CAR THAT COULD PUT US & OTHERS IN HARM'S WAY IF WE DROVE IT, WITH A RISK OF UNLIMITED LIABILITY! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353767

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

28,469 miles · Sep 10, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAULTY BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO A WALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. BRAKE FLUID WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK A CRASH COULD REO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAULTY BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO A WALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. BRAKE FLUID WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK A CRASH COULD REOCCUR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,473 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,469.

NHTSA ODI #10283604

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.