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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

Tires complaints

2 reports
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45,000 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535I WITH MICHELIN PILOT SPORT PS2 RUN FLAT TIRES, SIZE 275/35/R18. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER OF BOTH REAR TIRES WAS WORN TO THE POINT WHERE THE CHORD WAS VISIBLE. THERE WERE NO FAILURES WITH THE FRONT TIRES. THE ALIGNMENT WAS TESTED BUT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS TO TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535I WITH MICHELIN PILOT SPORT PS2 RUN FLAT TIRES, SIZE 275/35/R18. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER OF BOTH REAR TIRES WAS WORN TO THE POINT WHERE THE CHORD WAS VISIBLE. THERE WERE NO FAILURES WITH THE FRONT TIRES. THE ALIGNMENT WAS TESTED BUT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10416646

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2009
Tires

I HAD PURCHASED A NEW BMW WITH DUNLOP TIRES ON. MY TIRES ARE USED LESS THAN 1 YEAR AND USED ONLY FOR 34,000 KM (21,200 MILES) BUT THERE ARE NO THREADS LEFT ON THE TIRES. I HAVE CONTACTED DUNLOPS CUSTOMER SERVICE IN AMERICA AND CONTACTED THEIR OFFICE IN TURKEY AND THEY HAVE SENT AN EXPERT TO CHECK THE TIRES. THEY CLAIM THAT THE A…

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I HAD PURCHASED A NEW BMW WITH DUNLOP TIRES ON. MY TIRES ARE USED LESS THAN 1 YEAR AND USED ONLY FOR 34,000 KM (21,200 MILES) BUT THERE ARE NO THREADS LEFT ON THE TIRES. I HAVE CONTACTED DUNLOPS CUSTOMER SERVICE IN AMERICA AND CONTACTED THEIR OFFICE IN TURKEY AND THEY HAVE SENT AN EXPERT TO CHECK THE TIRES. THEY CLAIM THAT THE AIR PRESSURE WAS LOW SO THE TIRES WERE WORN QUICKLY. THAT IS RIDICULOUS BECAUSE MY CAR IS NEW AND IT WAS CHECKED BY AUTHORIZED BMW SERVICE FOR ROUTINE CHECKS SEVERAL TIMES AND I HAVE A REPORT FROM AUTHORIZED BMW SERVICE THAT TIRE PRESSURE WAS NORMAL. ON THE OTHER HAND THIS CAR HAS TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS AND THERE WERE NEVER LOW PRESSURE WARNING. I HAVE MADE A RESEARCH ON THE WEB AND FOUND OUT THAT DUNLOP TIRES HAD SO MANY CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE AND HIGH COURT JUDGE FOUND DUNLOP GUILTY FOR 300 INCIDENTS INVOLVING A FAULTY BRAND OF TIRE, WHICH CAUSED AT LEAST ONE FATAL MOTORWAY SMASH. ON THE OTHER HAND A BIKER DIED DUE TO FAULTY DUNLOP TIRE AND ANOTHER INJURED SERIOUSLY. (THE SUIT (CAUSE NO. DV-08- 480) WAS FILED NOV. 10, 2008, IN THE SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, BUTTE SILVER-BOW COUNTY.). DO I HAVE TO GO TO A COURT OR GET KILLED TO HAVE MY TIRES REPLACED? A COPY OF THE ABOVE WAS SENT TO (FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION BUREAU OF CONSUMER PROTECTION). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262405

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.