2008 BMW 5 Series Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 5 Series years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 19 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 105 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 BMW 5 Series. That is the most of any 5 Series model year in the database (19 years). The most reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (40 complaints, 38%), typically at around 22,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 3 fires, 1 injury. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 105owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2008 BMW 5 Series problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 40 | 38% | 22,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 36 | 34% | 22,750 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 16 | 15% | 48,600 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 | 7% | 83,250 | — | — |
| Power Train | 7 | 7% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 5 | 5% | 20,341 | — | — |
| Engine | 4 | 4% | 59,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 4% | 18,685 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 3% | 83,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 3% | 64,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 2 | 2% | 3 | — | — |
| Tires | 2 | 2% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 2% | 126,700 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 2% | 41,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1% | 3 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 1% | 16,400 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1% | 4,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1% | 1 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 1% | 79,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2008 BMW 5 Series recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)
Problem: 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 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables
Problem: Bmw is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, model year 2004-2010 6-series, model year 2006-2010 m5, and model year 2007-2010 m6 vehicles. The insulated bulkhead connector for the positive battery cable may have been incorrectly attached to the trunk floor panel, which can lead to a loosening of the bolt connection. As it loosens, an increase in electrical resistance at this cable connection is possible and could cause the cable connection to overheat.
Risk: Overheating could lead to a fire, even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the battery bolt cable connection as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 30, 2012. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Problem: Bmw is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, 6-series, and model year 2002-2008 7-series vehicles. A check valve of the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time this could result in contamination of the brake booster.
Risk: Power assist braking performance could be adversely affected. In extreme cases there could be a complete loss of power assist braking. An unexpected reduction or loss in power braking assist may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on november 24, 2010. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-525-7417.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
My vehicle had a faulty PCV valve that was under "Stop Drive," order. I received no correspondence from the NHTSA nor from BMW of North America in regards to this. My BMW X-5 had significant issues that are directly associated with this issue. After contacting BMW of North America directly because…
I was driving and bumped up against a sidewalk curve and my airbags deployed as well as my car shut off. It will not start another more and the hood underneath was on fire. (smoke was present).
Takata recall. Bmw is not doing enough to rectify the situation. I received a notice in march & 5 months later bmw dealers still do not have the parts to repair the airbags. How is it that this is acceptable?
Fraud activity possible clone refinanced identity theft remote access was put on unauthorized threat safety for owner. Two loan start dates one in repo
Just bought a used 2008 528i (e60) w/94k miles, in otherwise perfect condition. Went to change the angel eyes from drab yellow to lux led's. Noticed bare wires on both sides of the bulb connectors, on both sides of the car. Tried to use electrical tape, just made more bare wire. The more i touched…
Other BMW 5 Series years
← 2007 5 Series · 2009 5 Series →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 5 Series | 0 | 1 |
| 2012 5 Series | 10 | 0 |
| 2011 5 Series | 81 | 4 |
| 2010 5 Series | 6 | 5 |
| 2009 5 Series | 8 | 3 |
| 2008 | 105 | 3 |
| 2007 5 Series | 13 | 3 |
| 2006 5 Series | 85 | 7 |
| 2005 5 Series | 21 | 4 |
| 2004 5 Series | 64 | 6 |
| 2003 5 Series | 15 | 0 |
| 2002 5 Series | 7 | 0 |
| 2001 5 Series | 3 | 0 |
| 2000 5 Series | 2 | 0 |
| 1999 5 Series | 2 | 0 |
| 1998 5 Series | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 5 Series | 1 | 1 |
| 1996 5 Series | 0 | 1 |
| 1995 5 Series | 3 | 0 |
See all BMW 5 Series problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
Similar BMW models
Embed this 2008 BMW 5 Series badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW 5 Series?
Owners most often report fuel system, gasoline, engine and engine cooling, electrical system problems. The top one, fuel system, gasoline, accounts for 40 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2008 BMW 5 Series?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2008 BMW 5 Series a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 5 Series model years, the 2008 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.