2008 BMW X5 Engine Problems

The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that two minutes later the instrument panel went blank. The contact stated that the infotainment system failed to display an image and a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 147,644.

NHTSA ID

11665037

Incident

May 28, 2025

Mileage

147,644 mi

X5 was off, parked and the engine compartment burst into flames. Car was totaled There was apparently a recall issues in 2022 in which I was unaware and had no direct contact from the BMW dealer I purchased it from. The recall states that in some vehicles, this part could cause a fire. Well, I had a fire and there was zero indication of anything wrong with the car.

NHTSA ID

11555674

Incident

Nov 8, 2023

My 2008 BMW X5 was taken to a shop to be diagnosed due to Diagnosis as followed:( low coolant light coming on) “coolant crossover pipe from timing belt cover leaking” it is available for inspection, although it is not safe to drive. The low coolant light went off after I put more in it and did not come back on. Me and my then 10 month old were picking my 14 year old up from school and I noticed smoke pouring out of the hood. There was no warning lights or anything. Then the air conditioner started to blow smoke out as well. I cut the car off and it continued to smoke for approximately an hour. The car was about to catch on fire with no warning lights and the hazardous smoke out of the vents. The problem was diagnosed by Dan’s Auto Center. I can not move my car because it will smoke at the engine and cause a fire risk. The low coolant sensor came on a few days after purchased. I took it to get it diagnosed and the cost from that place quoted approximately 3,000 dollars. I put coolant in it and did not drive it for awhile. The sensor went off and the coolant was still full. There were no signs, no sensor, no overheating, just all the sudden huge clouds of smoke coming from my hood of the car. BMW has a lot of recalls for this same situation, but my car (year) is not listed.I do not understand this. Please add my car to the list, this is a 2000 to 3000 job and I have to get my car towed to a place if I ever can. Can I take this to a BMW Place and ask them to fix due to other recalls? This was very scary for me and my children. “The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles, a melting intake manifold, and potentially fire,”according to BMW.

NHTSA ID

11531504

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, she noticed an abnormally strong burning plastic odor inside the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact stated that she had stopped driving the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 167,964. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11512797

Incident

Dec 15, 2022

Mileage

167,964 mi

The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that she started to notice a burning odor throughout the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ID

11500175

Incident

Jul 4, 2022

Mileage

115,000 mi

Open recall since March of 2022, no remedy yet still available

NHTSA ID

11498699

Incident

Dec 23, 2022

On 12/10/2022 I was driving to work and my BMW started smelling of like electrical fire. I pulled over on a exit in Sweetwater, TN and upon exiting the vehicle I noticed flames under the hood of the car. The car was on fire somewhere in the engine. A passerbuyer stopped and called 911 for me Christianburg, TN fire Dept. done the report. But BMW has a recall on this vehicle for over 1yr with no remedy to fix knowing the car can catch on fire. Luckily I was not injured but I suffered a total loss from my vehicle. Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (pcv) NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 22V119000 Report Date: Mar 02, 2022 Consequence: 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. What You Should Do: 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 owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Summary: 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 X

NHTSA ID

11496915

Incident

Dec 10, 2022

when cold car will hesitate to start.

NHTSA ID

11494073

Incident

Nov 13, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, there was a plastic smell while the heater was in use. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11489854

Incident

Oct 14, 2022

Mileage

152,000 mi

This car is not safe to drive, when you accelerate lots of black smoke come from tail pipe and loose power at the same time, Its burning through spark plugs Im having to change them at least every 2 wks plugs cost 15$ a piece, Its burning through oil oil leaks popping up random all over every 2 weeks its burning through 5 quarts of oil ,oil is 18$ a quart, Do to the lose of power i have to take the access roads to and from work. Its causing me to miss a lot of work Im afraid for my wife and kids to be in the car with me its just not safe we got the letter from BMW 2 months ago about the recall what is considered a timely manner because 2 months is a ling time we need this resolved asap bmw just giving us the run arounds verses solving this issue. This car has been riding this unsafe way for at least 6 months and its getting worst by the day, its costing us to much money plus lose of work

NHTSA ID

11482828

Incident

Feb 1, 2022

PCV MY safety of my self and my 5 yr 17 yr I use my BMW X5 to take my kids or doctors and school and I work too and something need to be happen about this bc My family are AT RISK OF GETTING CAUGHT ON FIRE when iam starting up the car black smoke or white smoke comes out and when iam driving and people who are behind in they car get smoke out my lots of smoke that comes from my car in back and yes ita a RECALL on my car Manufactuer NO warning just smoke and driving very and had it look at then i was told

NHTSA ID

11478604

Incident

Aug 10, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space, he saw smoke coming through the vents. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact then parked and opened the hood but could not find any issues. The contact was able to continue driving however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact stated while driving the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the valve cover gasket needed to be replaced and the failure was associated to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11471900

Incident

May 26, 2022

Mileage

107,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, she smelled a strong burning plastic odor coming through the A/C vents. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the engine emitted abnormal loud knocking sounds and the vehicle started shuddering. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove to her residence and turned the vehicle off. Upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the contact stated that oil was leaking from the vehicle onto the ground. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Consumer did reach out to BMW USA and they took the information and have asked the consumer to wait a week while they do their investigation. Consumer has reached out several times now since then and they have stated that there is nothing they can do at the moment. They say that it should be okay to drive the car until they are able to fix it. The car is not safe to drive and when turned on is very shaky, the engine is loud and gives off strong gas fumes.

NHTSA ID

11466460

Incident

Feb 27, 2022

Mileage

75,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, between 5-70 MPH, she smelled a plastic burning odor. The contact saw smoke coming out from underneath the hood. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road for thirty minutes. The contact then continued to drive. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that oil may have dropped in the engine compartment during an oil replacement, which led to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who informed the contact that they could not replicate the failure. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine And Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11462433

Incident

Apr 27, 2020

Mileage

175,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11462071

Incident

Mar 2, 2022

this vehicle is dangerous and I cannot drive it without it smoking and overheating, exhaust or fumes get inside the vehicle not safe for my family, I bought it last year and have had problems since and I cant get it fixed. I tried to call the BMW office last year to no avail and no returned calls, I constantly had to fill coolant when driving and afraid to drive no more because smoke from engine and smell of smoke is frightening while on the road. can't drive this vehicle anymore

NHTSA ID

11461933

Incident

Mar 15, 2022

oil leaked from the engine dripping over auxaust and casing fume to inter the capen. mechanick indicate the engine cover is made out of plastic and it warped and cause the oil to leak.

NHTSA ID

11456070

Incident

Mar 1, 2020

I don't know 😕

NHTSA ID

11444219

Incident

Dec 18, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE COOLANT LEVEL LOW, PULL OVER WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME AND ADDED COOLANT INTO COOLANT RESERVOIR HOWEVER, THE COOLANT LEAKED OUT. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAN COULD BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AND THAT LIGHT GRAY SMOKE WOULD EMIT FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC COME TO HER HOME WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED HER OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12E029000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WHICH HE LINKED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO NOTIFIED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11360927

Incident

Sep 16, 2020

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT WITH THE ENGINE FANS RUNNING HIGH. A WARNING MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALSO READ, "IF YOU KEEP DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WILL CATCH FIRE. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND SHUTOFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED HIS FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12E029000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS THEN REFERRED TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,150.

NHTSA ID

11355003

Incident

Sep 10, 2020

Mileage

100,150 mi

BROUGHT MY 2008 X5 IN FOR THE CRANKCASE (PCV) RECALL. THE DEALER (THE BMW STORE IN CINCINNATI) TOLD ME THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD TO BE REMOVED FOR THE REPAIR AND WHILE REMOVING THE BELT, THE TENSIONER PULLY FELL OFF. THIS WAS DESCRIBED AS "DUE TO AN EXISTING BROKEN BOLT" IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE DEALER SAID I WOULD EITHER HAVE TO PAY TO REPAIR OR THEY WOULD PUT THE CAR BACK AS FOUND AND CAN NOT BE HELD IF THE CAR BROKE DOWN. IS THE DEALER LIABLE TO REPAIR THIS SINCE THE CAR WAS FULLY OPERATIONAL WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT IN FOR THE RECALL?

NHTSA ID

11253202

Incident

Sep 3, 2019

Mileage

104,000 mi

THE ENGINE IDLER PULLEY BOLT BROKEN

NHTSA ID

11218611

Incident

Jun 7, 2019

Mileage

165,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED ON ITS OWN AND THE OVERHEAT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER IN FT WASHINGTON, PA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11218463

Incident

May 31, 2019

Mileage

140,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HEARD A SNAP NOISE AND STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO MOVE, I MANAGED TO PARK THE CAR SAFELY AND TURNS OUT THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE TENSIONER PULLEY BROKE OFF. THE REPAIR IS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT AND BECAUSE I WAS ONLY DOING 20 MPH I MANAGED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND OTHERS SAFETY. IMAGINE IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 70 MPH. I WOULD LIKE BMW TO PAY FOR MY REPAIR AND MAKE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ANYMORE TO ME OR ANYONE ELSE.

NHTSA ID

11195819

Incident

Feb 11, 2019

Mileage

85,232 mi

ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH FAILING PARTS ON A SAV WITH ONLY 67,000 MILES. ISSUES INCLUDE LEAKING VALVE COVER GASKET, LEAKING BRAKE VACUUM PUMP, DRIVE BELTS WORN (A/C AND MAIN), WATER PUMP FAILURE. EXPENSIVE REPAIRS (SOME COMPLETED, SOME YET TO BE COMPLETED). ALSO, IDRIVE DOESN'T WORK. MANY BMW X5 OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES, EVEN WITH MILEAGES AS LOW AS 40,000. BMW SAYS "TOUGH LUCK." BMW NEEDS TO ISSUE RECALLS ON SEVERAL OF THESE COMPONENTS FOR FREE REPLACEMENT BUT HAVE NOT DONE SO. HOW CAN THEY GET AWAY WITH THIS?

NHTSA ID

11185758

Incident

Sep 18, 2018

Mileage

64,000 mi