2008 Bmw 535i problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (15) · Exterior Lighting (13) · Fuel/Propulsion System (10)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 535i model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
67 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights 2013-09-11 · campaign 13V407000 · 134,100 vehicles
Defect: 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).
Risk: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (66)
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
Fuel System, Gasoline 2021-05-01 · B011321 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
class action settlement: n54/n54t/n55 electric engine coolant pump . with the court's final approval, bmw of north america, llc (bmw na) has entered a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: oliver, et al v. bmw na, et al
Fuel System, Gasoline 2021-05-01 · B011321 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
class action settlement: n54/n54t/n55 electric engine coolant pump . with the court's final approval, bmw of north america, llc (bmw na) has entered a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: oliver, et al v. bmw na, et al
Showing the 6 most recent of 66 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-07-01 · Unknown Or Other“here is wisdom; traffic circles; eliminate collisions 98% cut pollution fossil fuels & signal electricity 98%; cut manhour prevailing wages 98% employee med sick vac and retirement 98% and equipment maintenance 98% yes 98% of wasted taxpayer revenue allotted to traffic signal intersections can begin to be wasted elsewhere for polititians hold fast …”
2021-10-02 · Seats“ the 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.…”
2021-02-24 · Vehicle Speed Control · 97,000 mi“hpfp is going bad engine light comes on long crank start…”
2020-11-04 · Engine · 138,000 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 535i. the contact stated while driving at 30 mph, when warning message of "engine hot and drive moderately" was illuminated on the instructional panel. the contact was able to park on the side of the road and then saw smoke exiting the front passenger side of the hood. the contact was able to extinguish the fire with…”
2020-09-21 · Unknown Or Other · 155,400 mi“copious amounts of smoke are released upon start and now it smokes even worse no matter what. it used to stop but not anymore. so many people have a problem with this. i noticed my car couldn't accelerate and then smoke started coming everywhere and then it ran ok but as soon as i got home my car smoked and smoked so much i was barely able to get i…”
2020-03-18 · Power Train · 145,000 mi“i was driving home stopped at a red light , then turned green went to accelerate car took off and lost all power would not move pressing accelerator and 2 semi trucks coming real fast from cross traffic almost killed me light turned red for me and green for semi trailers with no time to exit car.…”
2020-03-06 · Engine · 200,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 5351. the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered without warning. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. the contact was informed of a misfire cylinder # 2. the vehicle was not repaired. an unknown dealer was contacted and stated the vehicle was not sub…”
2019-06-29 · Seat Belts“the north american bmw had recalled the 2004-2006 bmws with the faulty passenger seat occupancy mat, as they had a recurring problem of failing. bmw stated that they "improved the quality of materials, and fixed the problem", but it seems that other bmw owners still have the same problem including myself. my bmw about 4 months ago had the passenger…”
2019-03-07 · Vehicle Speed Control · 65,000 mi“car reduced power, shakes and will not run anymore. is so unsafe to be driving this specially in the fwy very scary.…”
2018-10-20 · Engine · 131,000 mi“driving if freeway 65 mph, all the sudden car stalled lost power i drove it off the freeway the steering wheel was very hard to turn, try to startup the car did not start called aaa for tow truck after 15 min i start the car, start fined and no problem, to bmw usa made appointment with bmw dealer 4 days later was available for service, the day befo…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.