2008 Bmw 5 Series problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel System, Gasoline (35) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (12) · Engine And Engine Cooling (10)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 5 Series model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
91 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (Pcv) 2022-03-02 · campaign 22V119000 · 917,106 vehicles
Defect: 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 SA
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 ow
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan 2012-08-10 · campaign 12E029000 · 585 vehicles
Defect: This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on
Risk: This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Fix: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables 2012-03-26 · campaign 12V126000 · 367,682 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum 2010-10-01 · campaign 10V446000 · 198,352 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (77)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2023-12-20 · B160623 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
engine will crank but not start. there is no communication with the integrated fuel module (tfe) whendiagnosing with ista. the following two fault codes will be stored in the dme: 032b43 - low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low cda594 - message (- 0x33e) missing, rec
Equipment 2023-11-22 · B653423 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
customers may state that the alarm system (dwa) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. depending on the vehicleã¢ââs equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. additionally, the red anti-theft alarm led in
Vehicle Speed Control 2023-10-19 · B660523 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
various functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (adcam system) can lead to customer complaints.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2020-10-01 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
discharged battery energy diagnosis must be performed: the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to
Showing the 6 most recent of 77 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-11-05 · Fuel/Propulsion System“my vehicle had a faulty pcv valve that was under "stop drive," order. i received no correspondence from the nhtsa nor from bmw of north america in regards to this. my bmw x-5 had significant issues that are directly associated with this issue. after contacting bmw of north america directly because i could not reach anyone at my nearest bmw servic…”
2017-11-06 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · 3 mi“i was driving and bumped up against a sidewalk curve and my airbags deployed as well as my car shut off. it will not start another more and the hood underneath was on fire. (smoke was present).…”
2016-08-02 · Air Bags“takata recall. bmw is not doing enough to rectify the situation. i received a notice in march & 5 months later bmw dealers still do not have the parts to repair the airbags. how is it that this is acceptable?…”
2016-03-30 · Unknown Or Other“fraud activity possible clone refinanced identity theft remote access was put on unauthorized threat safety for owner. two loan start dates one in repo…”
2015-10-31 · Visibility/Wiper · 139,000 mi“electrical wiring insulation/sheathing within the headlight unit/housing is showing signs of and or outright deterioration which in turn exposes bare wires within the headlight housing. at this point, the daytime running lamps have been the only effected lights but the wires for the headlights are also noticeably troubled. the issue is not speed,…”
2014-10-15 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 76,000 mi“all 6 fuel injectors failed. car lost power while driving on 3 separate occasions. *tr…”
2014-07-02 · Power Train · 85,000 mi“on or about may 2013 i was traveling at 60mph on the freeway when suddenly i heard a loud bang sound and my vehicle came to an automatic stop. scared as vehicle behind me screeched and turn away avoiding me. i remained in the middle of the road for approximately 30 minutes before the vehicle restarted and i traveled fearfully to complete my assignm…”
2014-04-21 · Structure · 77,021 mi“i took my car to the dealership for regular maintenance (oil change etc). they found right side engine mount bolt broken which can cause additional damage to the car. this was reported as a safety concern. i am the sole driver and have never had any issues or unusual road conditions. i searched on internet and i found a lot of complaints with 2008 …”
2013-11-22 · Exterior Lighting · 97,700 mi“malfunction of left headlight. dealer inspection revealed"headlight wires leading to bulb socket have corrosion on them and casing around the wires is coming off". there was a recent vehicle safety recall for this model car for similar issues with rear lamp bulb carrier: recall campaign no. 13v-407 potentially serious safety issue with malfunc…”
2013-11-13 · Exterior Lighting · 66,050 mi“the rear back-up lamp outage warning light came on my dashboard. i attempted to replace the bulb and saw that the wiring harness had been burnt around the brown wire. i searched online and saw that this has happened many times to other with the same yr make and model vehicle. i reported it to the deal who in turn referred me to contact bmw north…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.