RoadVitals

2008 BMW 535I

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
74
Latest Jul 1, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Sep 11, 2013
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 74 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 BMW 535I, most frequently naming the engine, exterior lighting and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 66 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
13V407000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

Sep 11, 2013
134,100 units potentially affected
The 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).
The risk: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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 [email protected].
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 74
Filed Jul 1, 2023

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 to unearned income , a revelation uncle sams ears might be pricked or at least itch !!!! almighty saved the best for last MOTHER NATURE yes BLUE EARTH even GODS FOOTSTOOL and HEAVEN above will rejoice with all the beasts and things of the 12 stars on the womans' crown that is the ZODIAC;begin @ spring equinox 12 day n night MARCH 21-APRIL 20 aries RAM 1st. then 4-21 to may 20 taurus BULL 5-21 to june 20 gemini TWINS/summer solstice that is 15 day 9 nite 6-21 to july 20 cancer CRAB//7-21 to august 20 leo LION 8-21 to sept 20 virgo VIRGIN/autumn equinox 12 night and day 9-21 to oct 20 libra SCALES 10-21 to nov20 scorpio SCORPION 11-21 to dec 20 saggitarius ARCHER /winter solstice 9 day 15 nite12-21 to jan 20 capricorn GOAT 1-21 to feb 20 aquarius WATER 2-21 to march 20 pisces FISHES. the end!@#$%^&*() I DIGRESSED sorry

NHTSA ID
11529871
Incident
Jul 1, 2023
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Oct 2, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11435208
Incident
Oct 2, 2021
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Feb 24, 2021

HPFP IS GOING BAD ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON LONG CRANK START

NHTSA ID
11397808
Incident
Aug 16, 2017
Mileage
97,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 4, 2020
Fire reported

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 A BOTTLE OF WATER SHE HAD IN HAND. NO FIRE OR POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS CURRENTLY WAITING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ID
11373061
Incident
Nov 4, 2020
Mileage
138,000 mi
Filed Sep 21, 2020

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 INTO A SPOT

NHTSA ID
11360297
Incident
Sep 21, 2020
Mileage
155,400 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 18, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11318544
Incident
Mar 16, 2020
Mileage
145,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 6, 2020

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 SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11316566
Incident
Feb 29, 2020
Mileage
200,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jun 29, 2019

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 SEAT OCCUPANCY WARNING LIGHT COME ON, AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY "FIXED" THE ISSUE, BUT MOST LIKELY INSTEAD OF ACTUALLY TAKING THE TIME TO IMPROVE THEIR PRODUCT, THEY PROBABLY JUST SLAPPED A NEW LABEL ON IT AND CALLED IT A DAY. AND WHAT EVEN MORE ANNOYING IS THE COST OF REPLACEMENT PARTS, WHICH ALONE COST UPWARDS OF $900. YOU WOULD THINK THAT FOR $900 THE PAST WOULDN'T HAVE A PROPENSITY TO BREAK. THE NEWER MODELS THAT STILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER RECALL OR AT LEAST HAVE A REDUCED PRICE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP OF A PRODUCT KNOWN TO FAIL.

NHTSA ID
11228326
Incident
Apr 3, 2019

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 “discharged battery” complaints.

B160623

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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, receiver DME, transmitter TFE

B653423

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicle’s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm LED in the interior mirror does not briefly flash every 2 seconds, indicating the alarm is armed.

B011321

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

B011321

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 535I by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017011—
2016122245.6
2015230245.5
2014302265.3
2013381145.6
2012541141.5
20111124054.9
2010581041.4
2009711039.8
2008Viewing741038.5
1995010—
1994210—
1993010—
1992330—
1991530—
1990220—
1989610—
1988100—
1987001—
1986101—
1985001—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.