2008 BMW 535XI Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 BMW 535XI, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical2621.8%
- Engine1916.0%
- Fuel system1512.6%
- Airbags1310.9%
- Exterior lighting119.2%
- Powertrain (other)86.7%
- Seat belts65.0%
- Interior & seats54.2%
- Visibility43.4%
- Other / unspecified32.5%
- Body & structure32.5%
- Driver assistance21.7%
- Brakes21.7%
- Steering10.8%
- Suspension10.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 open and close the lift gate. Tailgate failure would prohibit emergency opening and access to spare tire and fuses. I have already spent $3,000 on one harness replacement (dealer) and am looking at another $3,000 to repair (dealer) more wiring that will restore the brake/running lights on one side (failed state inpection). The internal lighting diagnostics did NOT indicate any lighting problems or warning. Broken wires could also cause failures to some or all of the entire electrical system. Very dangerous.
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 every part of the engine. We were able to get the fire out with a garden hose before it spread to the house and my parents' two other vehicles parked next to it. No one was burned while putting out the fire, but several neighbors and family members did breathe in the toxic smoke. 911 was called and the fire department confirmed the fire was out. The driveway under the vehicle has burn damage, but we haven't moved the vehicle yet to see the extent of it. The check engine light had been on since purchase. The vehicle had been maintained by a mechanic specializing in import motors. He was unable to determine the cause of the check engine alert, and said it was a problem that BMW has with several of their models of this era. The vehicle was only covered under liability insurance, so our insurance company has not required an inspection. It has not yet been inspected by a mechanic or any other entity. The vehicle is available for inspection if requested.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Car is over heating. Replace water pump and thermostat. Car still over heating. Bad water pumps.
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 every part of the engine. We were able to get the fire out with a garden hose before it spread to the house and my parents' two other vehicles parked next to it. No one was burned while putting out the fire, but several neighbors and family members did breathe in the toxic smoke. 911 was called and the fire department confirmed the fire was out. The driveway under the vehicle has burn damage, but we haven't moved the vehicle yet to see the extent of it. The check engine light had been on since purchase. The vehicle had been maintained by a mechanic specializing in import motors. He was unable to determine the cause of the check engine alert, and said it was a problem that BMW has with several of their models of this era. The vehicle was only covered under liability insurance, so our insurance company has not required an inspection. It has not yet been inspected by a mechanic or any other entity. The vehicle is available for inspection if requested.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 FRIEND IS A TECH AT A LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP AND TOLD ME NOT TO REPAIR IT YET BECAUSE BMW HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE WHICH IS A E61 SPORTS WAGON. I WILL PROVIDE THE DOCUMENT THAT SHOWS THAT MY VEHICLE IS UNDER THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. WHEN AT IDLE MY CAR SHAKES. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR I JUST NEVER HAD THE MONEY TO FIX IT AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUES WERE UNTIL NOW. I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT DATE SO I WILL PUT TODAY'S DATE.
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 FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,450.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 charge me $2,700 to repair this. Note that the front passenger seat is rarely occupied. Why should this part fail prematurely?
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.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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 open and close the lift gate. Tailgate failure would prohibit emergency opening and access to spare tire and fuses. I have already spent $3,000 on one harness replacement (dealer) and am looking at another $3,000 to repair (dealer) more wiring that will restore the brake/running lights on one side (failed state inpection). The internal lighting diagnostics did NOT indicate any lighting problems or warning. Broken wires could also cause failures to some or all of the entire electrical system. Very dangerous.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Car is over heating. Replace water pump and thermostat. Car still over heating. Bad water pumps.
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 WAS STUCK IN PARK AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. IT WOULDN'T SHIFT. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMPLETELY GONE & THE CAR WAS FINE TO DRIVE/REVERSE. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR A FEW BLOCKS, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION/REDUCE SPEED LIGHT CAME ON, THE POWER WAS DRASTICALLY REDUCED & I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A DUMP TRUCK. IN 2008, I BOUGHT MY BMW BRAND NEW BECAUSE I WANTED NO CAR ISSUES BECAUSE I AM NOT A MECHANIC. EVERY SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT REPEATED & DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT NO MECHANIC CAN IDENTIFY. AND IT ALL STARTED WITH THE HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES (HPFP). AFTER THE THIRD HPFP WAS REPLACED, AND THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP LITERALLY FOR THREE MONTHS STRAIGHT, I GOT A LAWYER INVOLVED AND BMW CORP APOLOGIZED & SAID I COULD HAVE A CHOICE OF: 1/ GETTING A DIFFERENT CAR THAT THEY PICKED OUT (A 535I NOT THE XI I BOUGHT BECAUSE OF SNOW AND ICE CONDITIONS) 2/ THEY CUT ME A CHECK FOR A FEW THOUSAND AND TOLD ME TO SHUT UP AND I COULD NEVER SPEAK OF WHAT HAPPENED OR BE PART OF FUTURE LAWSUITS OR CLASS ACTIONS. I'VE NEVER FELT SAFE DRIVING MY 2008 BMW (116K MILES ON IT OVER 12.5 YEARS) EVERY BMW OWNER THAT BOUGHT A BMW BETWEEN THE RANGE OF YEARS KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT RE: THE CONSTANT AND NEVER-ENDING ISSUES THAT ALL START WITH THE HPFP & ESCALATE FROM THERE. REPAIR SHOPS CAN'T FIX THE ISSUES & BMW COVERS UP. NHTSA HASN'T DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THIS MASSIVE BMW ISSUE AFFECTING THE VAST MAJORITY OF OWNERS. JUST GOOGLE IT!
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT FAILURE LIGHT INDICATOR IS ON. BROUGHT BACK TO THE BMW DEALER, SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR BMW. BUT SERVICE WOULD COST $2,300 TO FIX. I ASKED IF IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM, THEN IT IS A DEFECT. BMW SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE AS I SEE IN OTHER RECENT RECALL ANNOUNCEMENTS LIKE LAST MONTH FOR THE BMW X3.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
WEDNESDAY JULY 25TH, 2018, AS I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE WORK, I STARTED MY CAR WHICH WAS PARKED IN MY COMPANY'S UNDERGROUND GARAGE AND THE INTERIOR BECAME ENGULFED WITH SMOKE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND GOT OUT TO CHECK THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO SMOKE COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR AND STARTED IT AGAIN AND MORE SMOKE ENTERED INTO THE CAR. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WENT BACK TO MY OFFICE TO CALL AAA. APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MINUTES LATER I WENT BACK TO THE CAR AND IMMEDIATELY SMELLED SMOKE IN THE GARAGE. AS I APPROACHED THE CAR IT WAS COMPLETELY FILLED WITH SMOKE BUT I COULD TELL THAT THE BOTH THE BACK AND FRONT WINDOW SHIELDS AND THE SUNROOF WERE SCORCHED. MY KEY FOB DID NOT WORK SO I HAD TO OPEN THE CAR WITH THE KEY. WITH THE DOOR OPEN THE THICK SMOKE ESCAPED AND THEN I WAS ABLE TO SEE THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR AS A RESULT OF A FIRE. I HAVE ATTACHED SOME PICTURES SO YOU CAN SEE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME INSTANCES WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER BMW OWNERS IN THE PAST AND THAT THIS WAS A COURSE OF ACTION TO TAKE IN LETTING YOU KNOW.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
KNOWN SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO BROKEN WIRING IN E61 WAGON HATCH WIRING. SEE THIS THREAD: HTTPS://5SERIES.NET/FORUMS/E61-TOURING-DISCUSSION-4/TAILGATE-WIRING-HARNESS-REPLACEMENT-72751/
THE WIPERS KEEP STOPPING, NOT FUNCTIONING, I HAD REPLACED THE MOTOR THREE TIMES NOW.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING MY FANTASTIC (EXPENSIVE) 535XI AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN I WOULD IMPLEMENT ANY PRESSURE ON THE THROTTLE I EXPERIENCED A JERKING/STUTTERING SENSATION. *TR
I HAVE THREE FAULTS, 1- TRUNK OPENS RANDOMLY, 2 - RDC UNIT IN TRUNK FLOODED BECAUSE TRUNK OPENED, 3 - BATTERY DISCHARGES. I NOTICED A FEW TIMES AFTER RETURNING TO MY CAR, THE TRUNK OPENED ON ITS OWN. I ALWAYS LOCK MY CAR AND WHEN I WALK AWAY, I MAKE SURE THAT THE TRUNK IS CLOSED. WHEN I RETURN TO MY CAR, THE TRUNK IS RANDOMLY OPENED. ONE DAY, WHEN IT WAS RAINING, THIS OCCURRED AND DRENCHED MY ENTIRE TRUNK. I DRIED THE TRUNK OUT AND STARTED DRIVING THEN I NOTICED THE TPMS STARTED FAILING. AFTER CHECKING ALL THE TPMS ANTENNAS ON MY CAR, I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A UNIT IN THE TRUNK. THIS UNIT WAS IN THE BASE OF THE TRUNK WITH NO VENTILATION. MY RDC UNIT WAS SUBMERGED IN WATER ALONG WITH MY BLUETOOTH SYSTEM. THE RDC UNIT FAILED AND I NOTICE THE BLUETOOTH SYSTEM HAS BEEN GOING IN AND OUT NOW. MY BATTERY ALSO SHOWS HIGH DISCHARGE AND I HEAR RANDOM BEEPING WHEN I AM DRIVING. THIS IS A HUGE DESIGN FLAW ON SO MANY LEVELS. I HAVE PAID MONEY TO FIX THE RDC UNIT, BUT IT IS HARD TO REPLICATE THE TRUNK RANDOMLY OPENING AND THE BEEPING SOUND HAPPENS RANDOMLY WHEN I AM DRIVING. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE AND TOUCHING THE HANDLE TO LOCK THE DOORS VIA THE KEYLESS ENTRY FEATURE, THE CONTACT FAILED TO REALIZE THAT THE PASSENGER HAD NOT EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS AND REMAINED TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE WINDOWS UP FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES UNTIL THE DRIVER CAME BACK TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT WHAT THE CONTACT PERCEIVED AS A FAILURE WAS A SECURITY FEATURE OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT CONSIDERED A DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH NOT CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND WITH NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND WITH THE SUNROOF CLOSED, THERE WAS A SUDDEN "EXPLOSION" ABOVE MY HEAD. IT WAS A VERY LOUD NOISE AND MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THAT THE SUNROOF HAD BEEN SHOT. BEFORE I HAD TIME TO PULL OVER, THE SHATTERED GLASS OF THE SUNROOF BLEW OFF THE ROOF ONTO THE ROAD BEHIND ME. I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING COME OFF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND I WAS NOT GOING UNDER A BRIDGE OF ANY KIND. IT WAS AS IF THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. HAD THE SUNROOF CURTAIN NOT BEEN CLOSED, ALL THAT GLASS WOULD HAVE COME INTO THE CAR AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT INJURY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE 2008 BMW 535XI, THERE WAS A LOUD SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. A MESSAGE APPEARED "CAR OVERHEATED" AND THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE WATER PUMP FAILED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. THE ACCELERATION WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL AND THE CAR WAS ESSENTIALLY INOPERABLE. IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION WITH VEHICLES APPROACHING ME FROM BEHIND ESPECIALLY WITH NO SHOULDER SPACE AVAILABLE TO PULL THE CAR OVER. I MANAGED TO TURN ONT HE HAZARD LIGHTS AND BARELY MANAGED TO ESCAPE THIS SITUATION WITHOUT AN INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP HAD FAILED AND WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IT, THE COST OF WHICH WOULD BE AT LEAST $1,200. WHEN I LOOKED UP ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE SEEN MANY INDIVIDUALS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE WATER PUMP IN LESS THAN AS LITTLE AS 30,000 MILES. I ALSO STUMBLED ONTO A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN (NO. 11V-521: "ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP") ON CERTAIN 2008 BMW 5-SERIES. I WAS SHOCKED TO KNOW THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN NUMBER. WHAT TYPE OF QUALITY CHECKS ARE THESE PUMPS SUBJECTED TO? I HAVE HEARD OF MANY SUCH INSTANCES WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. MOST OTHER VEHICLES HAVE WATER PUMPS LASTING OVER 100,000 MILES AND WELL BEYOND. WHY HASN'T BMW ISSUED A RECALL? *TR
A COOLER LEAKED IN THE TRUNK OF MY WAGON AND UNDER THE FLOOR THERE LIES EXPOSED UNPROTECTED HIGHLY VALUABLE ELECTRONICS, WHICH SHORTED OUT MY CAR AND CREATED A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED SHOCKS AMONGST OTHER IMPORTANT SYSYTEMS, MY DEALER SAYS HE HAS SEEN "MANY OF THESE" AND CLEARLY THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE ON THE WEB THAT HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM, THE NEXT YEAR ACCORDING TO BMW THIS EXTREMELY DUMB DESIGN WAS CHANGED. CLEARLY THE TRUNK SHOULD BE A PLACE TO PUT ITEMS THAT MAY BE WET [FISHING TACKLE, SCUBA, SNOW BOOTS, SKIIS, COOLERS, MILK AND GROCERIES....] AND ONE SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZED A $1700 DOLLAR BILL EVERYTIME SOMETHING SPILLS. MY DEALER REPLACED THE MALFUNCTIONING ELECTRONICS THEN COVERED THE ELECTRONICS IN PLASTIC BUT THIS IS CLEARLY A JURY-RIGGED FIX. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS EXITING THE THE FREEWAY AND WHEN I WAS ON A BANKED ONRAMP THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I LOST POWER STEERING AND THE ABILITY TO RELEASE THE BRAKE. I NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE UNEXPECTED LOSS IN POWER STEERING CAUSED ME TO LOOSE GRIP ON THE WHEEL. THE ENGINE WAS IN NEUTRAL WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. UPON RESTARTING THE ENGINE (WHICH STRUGGLED TO START) THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON TELLTALE" ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE ENTERED "REDUCE ENGINE POWER MODE". AFTER SCANNING THE DTC (P3090) I LEARNED THE VEHICLE'S HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED. I NOTICED BMW HAS A RECALL ON THE ISSUE. UNFORTUNATELY THEIR RECALL ONLY COVERS THE FUEL PUMP TO 120,000 MILES AND MY VEHICLE HAS ROUGHLY 9,500 MILES ABOVE THE COVERED THRESHOLD. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE AND READING ONLINE I FEEL THE PUMP HAS SOME SORT OF DESIGN FLAW THAT BMW HAS FAILED TO PROPERLY ADDRESS. I WISH BMW WOULD HOLD UP TO THEIR INTEGRITY AND CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.
THE REAR RIGHT TAIL LIGHT STOPPED FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT, THE RUNNING LIGHT, THE REVERSE LIGHT, AND THE BLINKER STOPPED WORKING. THIS CREATED MANY POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS AS ONCOMING DRIVERS COULD NOT PROPERLY SEE ME REVERSING OR TURNING RIGHT. THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR THE ISSUE AND BMW IS REPLACING THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS FOR VIN'S THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS IDENTIFIED AS HAVING THE ISSUE. MY VEHICLE HAS THE ISSUE. BMW REFUSED TO REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHT THAT HAS PERMANENT LOSS OF FUNCTIONALITY. I WAS FORCED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FUNDS FOR THE ITEM THAT HAS A RECALL AND BMW NORTH AMERICA HAS REFUSED TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. I SPOKE TO [XXX] AT BMW NORTH AMERICA, HE IS A CUSTOMER RELATIONS SUPERVISOR, AND HIS CONTACT INFORMATION IS IN THE BMW CASE FILE WITH ID LAST 7 DIGITS OF MY VIN. HE INDICATED THAT BMW WILL NOT DO ANYTHING UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT FORCES THEM TO BY PROVIDING THE VIN NUMBER TO THEM AS AN EFFECTED VEHICLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS EXITING THE THE FREEWAY AND WHEN I WAS ON A BANKED ONRAMP THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I LOST POWER STEERING AND THE ABILITY TO RELEASE THE BRAKE. I NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE UNEXPECTED LOSS IN POWER STEERING CAUSED ME TO LOOSE GRIP ON THE WHEEL. THE ENGINE WAS IN NEUTRAL WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. UPON RESTARTING THE ENGINE (WHICH STRUGGLED TO START) THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON TELLTALE" ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE ENTERED "REDUCE ENGINE POWER MODE". AFTER SCANNING THE DTC (P3090) I LEARNED THE VEHICLE'S HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED. I NOTICED BMW HAS A RECALL ON THE ISSUE. UNFORTUNATELY THEIR RECALL ONLY COVERS THE FUEL PUMP TO 120,000 MILES AND MY VEHICLE HAS ROUGHLY 9,500 MILES ABOVE THE COVERED THRESHOLD. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE AND READING ONLINE I FEEL THE PUMP HAS SOME SORT OF DESIGN FLAW THAT BMW HAS FAILED TO PROPERLY ADDRESS. I WISH BMW WOULD HOLD UP TO THEIR INTEGRITY AND CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED A 2008 BMW 5 SERIES WAGON 9/1/2015 ON CALIFORNIA HAD ITS FIRST RAIN STORM CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF THE BMW RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS 12/16/115. THE DRAIN LINES ARE A WELL DOCUMENTED AND A BMW SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED TO DEALERSHIPS. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I EXPERIENCED WIDESPREAD SYSTEM FAILURE, TIRE WARNINGS, TRANSMISSION FAILURE WARNINGS AND THE SUSPENSION FAILED AND THE CAR DROPPED ABOUT 6 INCHES. THE BMW DEALERSHIP GAVE US $24,188.17 REPAIR ESTIMATE FOR ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND WIRING WHICH IS MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE CAR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .