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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

What owners actually said

98 reports
48,600 miles · Jun 6, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

THE GROUNDING WIRE IN THE CONNECTOR TO THE TAIL LIGHT BULB HOLDER MELTED AND MELTED PARTS OF THE CONNECTOR. THIS RESULTED IN NO SIGNAL, BRAKE AND RUNNING REAR LIGHTS. A RECALL HAS BEEN CALLED FOR BMW E46 3 SERIES FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER THE 5 SERIES AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460828

59,000 miles · May 15, 2012
Engine

WE BOUGHT A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2008 535XI IN NOVEMBER 2010. IT HAD 36,000 MILES. AT 59,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH ON A MAJORY HIGHWAY IN LONG ISLAND AFTER SITTING IN TRAFFIC FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF ON A 70 DEGREE DAY, THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. IT WOULD BARELY STEER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. WE WERE LUCKY THAT…

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WE BOUGHT A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2008 535XI IN NOVEMBER 2010. IT HAD 36,000 MILES. AT 59,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH ON A MAJORY HIGHWAY IN LONG ISLAND AFTER SITTING IN TRAFFIC FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF ON A 70 DEGREE DAY, THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. IT WOULD BARELY STEER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. WE WERE LUCKY THAT THE BRAKES WORKED AND WERE ABLE TO GLIDE OVER TO THE SHOULDER. COMPUTER SAID ENGINE OVERHEATED AND IT WAS THE RED INDICATOR WHICH IS THE WORST. WE GOT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND ARE TOLD ITS THE WATER PUMP. WE DID HAVE THE CAR SERVICED AT A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP 4 DAYS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED AND TOLD THEM ABOUT A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE BUT THEY DIDN'T HEAR IT SO NOTHING WAS DONE. THE INCIDENT WAS VERY SCARY AND MAKES ME NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE CAR ANYMORE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10458574

59,500 miles · Dec 28, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ELECTRICAL WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAIL…

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TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ELECTRICAL WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,500. KMJ

NHTSA ODI #10441547

72,500 miles · Oct 13, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

GROUND WIRE FOR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT BURNED UP. GROUND WIRE, BOTH SIDES OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR, AND TAIL LIGHT BULB HOLDER ALL BURNED UP. PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT, TAIL LIGHT, TURN SIGNAL AND BACK UP LIGHT DO NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. IMPROPERLY RATED FUSE DID NOT BLOW BEFORE CIRCUIT BURNED UP AND MELTED. THIS CIRCUIT IS …

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GROUND WIRE FOR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT BURNED UP. GROUND WIRE, BOTH SIDES OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR, AND TAIL LIGHT BULB HOLDER ALL BURNED UP. PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT, TAIL LIGHT, TURN SIGNAL AND BACK UP LIGHT DO NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. IMPROPERLY RATED FUSE DID NOT BLOW BEFORE CIRCUIT BURNED UP AND MELTED. THIS CIRCUIT IS NOT DESIGNED CORRECTLY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO MYSELF AND ANYONE DRIVING BEHIND ME. CAR MODEL IS A 2008 528XI. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430057

55,000 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Wheels

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE RIM SEPARATED CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. HAD WE BEEN TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. BMW, AS I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT, DECLINES ANY RESPONSIBILITY. DO YOUR JOB!

NHTSA ODI #10417413

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

27,000 miles · Jun 14, 2011
Wheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS CRACKING. AFTER PURCHASING A NEW TIRE HE THEN NOTICED THE CRACKED WHEEL IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO DECLINED TO WARRANT THE WHEELS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ALSO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT WARRANT THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS CRACKING. AFTER PURCHASING A NEW TIRE HE THEN NOTICED THE CRACKED WHEEL IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO DECLINED TO WARRANT THE WHEELS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ALSO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT WARRANT THE FAILURE. THE WHEELS WERE REPAIRED AT A COST OF $484 BY THE CONTACT. THEY OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

NHTSA ODI #10406830

28,700 miles · May 26, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

THREE WKS AGO MY 08 528I WAS MAKING A RATTLING SOUND IN THE ENGINE, TIN-CAN SOUNDING. TOOK THE CAR FOR SERVICE & THEY REPLACED MY LIFTERS AND RELATED PARTS. THEY SAID THAT THE LIFTERS ARE "KNOWN" FOR GOING BAD ON THE 5 SERIES AND IT'S TYPICALLY DUE TO SEASONAL CHANGES. WHEN MY HUSBAND BROUGHT THE CAR HOME TO ME I WAS VERY UPSET …

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THREE WKS AGO MY 08 528I WAS MAKING A RATTLING SOUND IN THE ENGINE, TIN-CAN SOUNDING. TOOK THE CAR FOR SERVICE & THEY REPLACED MY LIFTERS AND RELATED PARTS. THEY SAID THAT THE LIFTERS ARE "KNOWN" FOR GOING BAD ON THE 5 SERIES AND IT'S TYPICALLY DUE TO SEASONAL CHANGES. WHEN MY HUSBAND BROUGHT THE CAR HOME TO ME I WAS VERY UPSET BECAUSE THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE, NOT AS LOUD AS BEFORE. I CALLED BMW AND MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT, CITING THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED AND IT NEEDED TO BE LOOKED AT AGAIN. THE APPOINTMENT WITH A LOANER COULD NOT BE SCHEDULED FOR ANOTHER 10 DAYS, SO WE WAITED. DURING THOSE 10 DAYS THE VEHICLE STARTED TO TAKE LONGER TO TURNOVER AT START UP. I WOULD ALSO FEEL THE ENGINE LIGHTLY SHUTTERING AS I DROVE AT SPEEDS AVERAGING 35-50 MILES PER HOUR. MONDAY 05/23/11 WAS MY REQUESTED APPOINTMENT; HOWEVER BECAUSE MY 15 MO. OLD BABY WAS ILL WE HAD TO CANCEL. THANK GOODNESS WE DID BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT HAVE MADE IT THE 20 MILES OF FREEWAY TO THE DEALERSHIP. TODAY, 05/25/11, I MADE A LEFT OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND AS I ACCELERATED APPROX. 50 YARDS, MY ENGINE BUCKED (FELT LIKE THE BOTTOM FELL OUT), I LOST SPEED DRAMATICALLY. SUDDENLY, STEERING BECAME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AND I WAS FORCED TO "TURN" INTO A SMALL SHOPPING CENTER. HOWEVER, I LOST ABILITY TO STEER UPON ENTERING THE PARKING LOT. MY CAR WOULD RESPOND TO NOTHING BUT THE BRAKES (THANK GOD THOSE ATLEAST WORKED). I LOOKED DOWN AT MY GEAR SHIFT TO ATTEMPT TO REVERSE AWAY FROM THE CURB AND MANEUVER INTO A PARKING SPACE, THOUGH MY CAR WAS THROWN INTO NEUTRAL & WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ANYTHING BUT "PARK". I ATTEMPTED TO STARTUP AGAIN BUT ENGINE WOULDN'T TURN OVER. IT WAS DEAD. WITHIN MOMENTS MY ABS, CHECK ENG, AND BATTERY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED & CORRESPONDING MSGS CAME ONTO MY COMMUNICATION SCREEN. CAR WAS TOWED. AWAITING DEALERSHIP RESPONSE IN THE AM. AFTER SEEING PRIOR COMPLAINTS, I SEE SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE FIRED. THE US GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STEP IN BEFORE PEOPLE DIE! THANK GOD MY BABY WASN'T WITH ME! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402778

28,000 miles · May 24, 2011
Electrical System

VEHICLE IS 2008 528I SEDAN. THE TIRE MONITOR PRESSURE INDICATOR WAS DISPLAYED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A BMW DEALERSHIP TO CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE. THEY SAID THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS OK ON ALL 4 TIRES. HOWEVER, IT CONTINUED TO DISPLAY THE TMP INDICATOR. THEN FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, VARIOUS ALERT INDICAT…

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VEHICLE IS 2008 528I SEDAN. THE TIRE MONITOR PRESSURE INDICATOR WAS DISPLAYED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A BMW DEALERSHIP TO CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE. THEY SAID THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS OK ON ALL 4 TIRES. HOWEVER, IT CONTINUED TO DISPLAY THE TMP INDICATOR. THEN FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, VARIOUS ALERT INDICATORS WOULD DISPLAY BRIEFLY AND THE DATE AND TIME WERE NOT SET. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DETERMINED FLUID (REFERRED TO BY BMW AS 'AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE') LEAKED FROM INSIDE THE TRUNK OF VEHICLE INTO THE RDC (COMMUNICATION) MODULE, WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER THE TRUNK. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THE SUBMERGED FLUID SHORTED OUT THE MODULE AND MELTED THE HARNESS. THE RDC MODULE AND THE HARNESS WERE REPLACED. THE TRUNK WAS NOT WET SO I DID NOT REALIZE ANYTHING HAD LEAKED NOR WAS I AWARE THERE WERE CRITICAL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS LOCATED DIRECTLY UNDER THE TRUNK, WHICH WERE NOT PROPERLY PROTECTED. TO PLACE THE RDC MODULE IN AN AREA WHERE LIQUIDS CAN PENETRATE (I.E. OPEN DRUNK WHILE RAINING, GROCERIES SPILLING'), IS EXTREMELY POOR VEHICLE DESIGN. SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS A RESULT OF 'AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE' IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND IT COST ALMOST $1000 TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402595

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

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.