What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2008 BMW X5

Typical pattern

1.1% of complaints about the 2008 BMW X5 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2008 vehicle — around the middle of the 262 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 8.5 yr in service. The most-reported system is air bags (76 complaints), typically at 8.8 yr or about 82,881 miles.

Complaints
353
Median age at failure
8.5 yr
Median mileage
74,000 n=208
Crash / fire / tow
8.5% of reports
Safety recalls
10 5 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Air bags
76 reports · 82,881 mi
8.8 yr
2.6%
Engine
70 reports · 66,000 mi
7.9 yr
8.6%
Electrical system
39 reports · 82,881 mi
9.5 yr
15.4%
Fuel / propulsion
31 reports · 80,000 mi
9.3 yr
3.2%
Power train
19 reports · 45,602 mi
8.1 yr
5.3%
Engine cooling
17 reports · 107,000 mi
12.6 yr
35.3%
Service brakes
15 reports · 94,000 mi
8.0 yr
6.7%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

20V016000 2020-01-15 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2012 X5 xDrive35d, 2008-2012 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2007-2012 X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSPI-2) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and hig

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

19V017000 2019-01-14 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-t

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

18V030000 2018-01-09 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, 2009-2010 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2009-2013 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." BMW is also recalling certain 2007-2010 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X5 xDrive35d, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDriv

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

17V020000 2017-01-10 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2012 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, BMW is recalling certain 2009 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2009 X6 xDrive 35i, X

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

16V364000 2016-05-25 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5M vehicles, 2009-2011 X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2008-2011 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, BMW is recalling certa

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

20V017000 2020-01-15
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDr

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

17V683000 2017-10-30
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

16V746000 2016-10-17
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i Convertible, 650i Convertible, 650i xDrive Convertible, 650i Coupe and 650i Coupe xDrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimpe

The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.

10V518000 2010-10-26
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 X5 SAVs VEHICLES WITH 6-CYLINDER ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2007 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2008. DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROCESS FAULT, THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT PRODUCED TO SPECIFICATIONS. UNDER SPECIFIC VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS, THE FUEL PUMP'S COMMUTATOR COULD EXPERIENCE AN INCREASE IN WEAR.

THIS WEAR COULD LEAD TO FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTION AND ENGINE STALLING. ENGINE STALLING COULD CREATE A POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.

08V170000 2008-04-11
Suspension:rear

BMW IS RECALLING 55 MY 2008 X5 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR AXLE STABILIZER (ANTI-SWAY BAR). THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH A SPORTS-SUSPENSION STABILIZER RATHER THAN A STANDARD SUSPENSION STABILIZER ON THE REAR AXLE.

IN CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, SUCH AS FAST LANE CHANGES AT HIGH SPEED, THE VEHICLE COULD EXPERIENCE AN 'OVER-STEER' BEHAVIOR AFFECTING VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

In owners’ own words

Power train 50 mi 1.1 yr in service
THE X5 DOES NOT RESPONSE WELL TO THROTTLE INPUTS. HESITATION IS EXTREMELY PRONOUNCED AT ALL TIMES. THE HESITATION FEELS LIKE STALLING. NOT SURE IF THIS IS CAUSED BY THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, SOFTWARE OR SOME OTHER REASONS. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS IN REGULAR "D" MODE BUT IT ALSO HAPPENS IN THE MANUAL MODE AT TIMES. PASSING AND MERGING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC SHOULD BE AVOIDED BECAUSE THE X5 COULD RECEIVE REAR-ENDED ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE SUDDEN HESITATION. HAD MANY NEAR-MISSES AND SUSPECT EVENTUALITY. *TR
Power train 14,527 mi 1.6 yr in service
CAR SURGES CONTINUOUSLY AFTER TAKING OFF FROM A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD UNTIL IT STOPS. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT OF THIS AUTO. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY. IT IS SPORADIC. SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE, AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY BMW'S REPAIR DEPARTMENT THAT THEY KNOW OF NO SUCH PROBLEM, THEN THEY ADMITTED THEY DID KNOW OF THE PROBLEM, BUT IT WAS A "SOFTWARE" ISSUE AND NO DOWNLOAD WAS AVAILABLE FOR ME, AND THEN EVENTUALLY THE DEALERSHIP STOPPED RETURNING MY CALLS. *TR
Power train 132,000 mi 9.3 yr in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH, AN ABNORMAL LOUD NOISE COULD BE HEARD FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V311000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
Electrical system mileage not reported 1.5 yr in service
2008 BMW X5 HAS A FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR PUMP AND BATTERY. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STOPPED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AFTER THE FUEL PUMP WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD AGAIN THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE SUNROOF WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE CAMERA USED THAT GIVES GUIDANCE WHEN BACKING OUT OF SPACES WAS INOPERATIVE AS WELL. *JB

Other X5 model years

202420222021202020192017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200320022001

How to read this