2008 Bmw 535xi problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (11) · Exterior Lighting (9) · Electrical System (8)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 535xi model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
61 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (6)
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
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
Exterior Lighting:headlights:high/Low Beam Dimmer Switch 2014-10-01 · SIB-63-11-14 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bmw: on some vehicles, when starting, low beam, with 0552 option, would briefly flashes, due to a faulty led main light module that needs replacing. model 2008-14 f01, f02, f06, f07, f10, f12, f13, f25. *pe
What owners report
2024-08-28 · Power Train“car is over heating. replace water pump and thermostat. car still over heating. bad water pumps.…”
2024-05-27 · Exterior Lighting“the taillight, blinker and reverse light all went out and when i pulled the components out to check to see if the bulbs are burnt all of the bulbs are perfectly fine, but the aluminum pieces were sparking, and the whole component will not work…”
2023-02-20 · Exterior Lighting“station wagon lift gate has severe wiring failures between the lift gate and body. this problem is well known throught the blog community. broken wires cause failures, and electrical danger, to the rear lighting system that includes brake, running, back up, and turn signals. also effected is the rear wiper, defroster, and operation access to ope…”
2022-05-06 · Air Bags“the passenger seat occupancy sensor stopped working. on the nhsta website i found where bmw offered a 15 year warranty for this part. what was the negotiation with nhsta that bmw offered this warranty? it is warranty si b01 01 18. my car on the list is the e60 and e61 with option 456 (comfort seat). bmw refuses to honor this warranty and want to ch…”
2022-04-20 · Engine · 🔥 fire“the vehicle's engine caught fire approximately 13 1/2 hours after last having been driven. i parked it in my driveway at 9pm on april 15, 2022. i was alerted to a fire in the engine by my neighbor at 10:30am on april 16, 2022. the entire engine was engulfed in flames, melting all of the plastic components. it burned through my hood and affected eve…”
2020-04-08 · Fuel/Propulsion System“my bmw is a 2008 bmw 535xi that was manufactured on 02/2008. i have had an issue with cylinder 4 misfiring so i changed all 6 spark plugs and cylinder 4 ignition coil only to have cylinder misfiring still. i took it to a mechanic and they checked and stated that i had a bad ignition coil because my spark plug and ignition coil smelled like fuel. my…”
2020-03-27 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 93,450 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 535xi. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine misfired the vehicle was taken to the local dealer bmw of columbia located at (1900 i70 dr. sw, columbia mo) who diagnosed that the engine cylinder number 4 misfire was due to defective fuel injectors. the fuel injectors were replaced and the …”
2019-11-12 · Power Train · 116,000 mi“for over the past year, the (small) engine light has been repeatedly & constantly going on/off. i've had sensors, spark plugs, tubes & everything under the sun replaced and have taken (or towed in most cases) the car to many different auto repair shops for multiple quotes & repairs. the latest problem is the small engine light came on & the car …”
2019-06-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 158,000 mi“vehicle stalls, hesitates when driving. message on the dash says that the fuel pump is failing, but can be driven with decreased performance and to bring the vehicle to bmw. brought the car to bmw service and they told me that there was a recall on the fuel pump but my car is not covered because i have 159k miles one the said vehicle. upon furthe…”
2019-05-08 · Seats · 87,000 mi“87,000 miles warning light passenger air bag not engaged and may cause damage. quoted $1800 bmw certified mechanic to replace, fix. looking for recall as many others experienced the same. was told that you can't tell whether the airbag will inflate or not. against the law to disconnect the light. unable to diagnose without taking the seat apart.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.