IllustrationThe vehicle front passenger seat sensor MAT (SRS) failure. This is a safety-related issue. The same item was recalled for prior years' models. A recall should issued be for this model and and year.
2008 BMW 535I
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 535I 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
70–25K
1125–50K
1850–75K
1175–100K
16100–150K
4150K+
67 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.
- Engine. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports
Seats complaints
3 reportsTIP IN AS IT IS CALLED, LAG IN THE RESPONSE TIME FROM WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL TILL THE CAR ACTUALLY TAKES OFF. ALSO PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR SENSING SOMEONE IS THERE WHEN THEY ARE NOT CAUSING THE FASTEN SEAT BELT ERROR TO CONTANTLY GO OFF.
2008 BMW 5-SERIES VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS RECALLED 2004 - 2006 BMW 5-SERIES VEHICLES IN REGARDS TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT MALFUNCTIONING. THE SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT IS FAULTY ON 2007 & 2008 MODELS AS WELL. THE CONSEQUENCE IS THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE C…
Read full complaint
2008 BMW 5-SERIES VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS RECALLED 2004 - 2006 BMW 5-SERIES VEHICLES IN REGARDS TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT MALFUNCTIONING. THE SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT IS FAULTY ON 2007 & 2008 MODELS AS WELL. THE CONSEQUENCE IS THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE CRASH. WHY WERE 2007 & 2008 BMWS NOT RECALLED ALREADY...?!?!? WHAT IS BEING DONE TO RECALL 2007 & 2008 BMW MODELS THAT USE THE SAME PARTS AS 2004 - 2006 MODELS...?!?!? *TR
Official recalls
113V407000 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
Sep 11, 2013
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
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.