2008 BMW X5 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
319
Owner Complaints
10
Recalls
15
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2008 BMW X5
The 2008 BMW X5 has received a total of 319 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 10 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 15 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (66 complaints), Air Bags (65 complaints), and Electrical System (33 complaints).
Recalls for the 2008 BMW X5
NHTSA has recorded 10 recalls for the 2008 BMW X5, potentially affecting up to 1,233,039 vehicles.
Recall 20V016000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 4,007 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until this remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer...
View full details →Recall 20V017000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 59,965 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact...
View full details →Recall 19V017000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 83,016 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW...
View full details →Recall 17V683000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
| 740,561 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer...
View full details →Recall 18V030000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 41,808 vehicles affected
Defect: 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),...
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may...
View full details →Recall 17V020000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 48,951 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator or air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed March 2017....
View full details →Recall 16V364000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 97,738 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or air bag module, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017....
View full details →Recall 16V746000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
| 136,188 vehicles affected
Defect: 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,...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full details →Recall 10V518000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
| 20,750 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
View full details →Recall 08V170000 — SUSPENSION:REAR
| 55 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE STABILIZER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 14, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117 OR VIA E-MAIL TO [email protected].
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2008 BMW X5
319 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 BMW X5. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
Last night my 2008 BMW X5 caught fire while parked in a parking lot - the fire was in the engine compartment and appeared to be an electrical fire - police and fire were at the scene and a report was made.
Last night my 2008 BMW X5 caught fire while parked in a parking lot - the fire was in the engine compartment and appeared to be an electrical fire - police and fire were at the scene and a report was made.
Airbag light is on for passenger and fuel injectors messed up. This is a 2008 and other ones had recalls. I don’t understand why mine did not lights are flickering a little bit and before it was smoking really bad and I had to get that fixed.
Airbag light is on for passenger and fuel injectors messed up. This is a 2008 and other ones had recalls. I don’t understand why mine did not lights are flickering a little bit and before it was smoking really bad and I had to get that fixed.
Airbag light is on for passenger and fuel injectors messed up. This is a 2008 and other ones had recalls. I don’t understand why mine did not lights are flickering a little bit and before it was smoking really bad and I had to get that fixed.
Safety Rating for the 2008 BMW X5
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 BMW X5 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 BMW X5
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 15 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 BMW X5. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
513612 — STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Creaking Noises from the B-Pillar Trim. The lower half of the B-pillar trim can make a creaking noise when driving. CAUSE: The two upper openings for the securing tabs on the bottom half of the B-pillar are too small to allow the two barbs of the upper trim to interlock.
B130815 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
Service Action: S63 Engine - Check and Replace High- Pressure Injectors This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B13 08 15 dated January 2016. The high-pressure injectors may fail, resulting in an engine malfunction warning and reduced engine output.
SIB-01-05-15 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
BMW: TSB CONTAINS AN OWNER'S NOTIFICATION LETTER. SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON BELOW. INFORMATION PROVIDED REGARDING THE EXTENSION OF LIMITED WARRANTY ON THE IN TANK FUEL (PUMP) DELIVERY MODULE OF 10 YEARS WITHOUT MILEAGE LIMITATION, DEPENDING ON IN SERVICE DATE. INCLUDED DOCUMENT. *PE
SIB-27-02-12 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
BMW: DUE TO AN ERROR IN SOFTWARE CALIBRATION, SOME VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING WARNING ILLUMINATION OF DSC, ABS AND BRAKE AND A POSSIBLE WARNING IN CONTROL DISPLAY FOR CHASSIS CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE. MODELS 2009-2012 F30, 01, 02, 07, 10, 12, 13, 25, E70, 71, 84. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
520313 — SEATS
Rattle Noise from Rear Seat Backrest. A rattle noise can be heard from the rear seat area when the vehicle is driven. CAUSE The left and right rear seat backrest locks have insufficient lubrication.
SIB-18-02-12 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
BMW: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. THE REPLACING AND/OR CHECKING OF EMISSIONS MONITORING COMPONENTS TO INCREASE EMISSIONS STABILITY, HIGH PRESSURE (HP) EGR VALVE RESTRICTION OF EXCESSIVE SOOT AND IMPROVED DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF) MIXTURE INTRODUCED IN EXHAUST SYSTEM FROM SCR MIXER. MODEL 2008-2009 E70, E90. *PE UPDATED 5/10/13....
320210 — STEERING
"Squeaking Noises from Steering Wheel While Turning. There is a squeaking noise from the steering column when the steering wheel is turned. The rubber boot on the steering column is not positioned correctly or lacks sufficient grease for the plastic bearing. INFORMATION The problem has been integrated into ISTA diagnostics....
SIB-16-01-12 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
BMW: A MORE ROBUST SENSOR WAS DEVELOPED DUE TO SELECTIVE CATALYST REDUCTION (SCR) ACTIVE TANK FAILING, BECAUSE OF TEMPERATURE SENSOR, AND IS INTEGRATED INTO ACTIVE TANK. *PE
SIB-63-11-10 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
BMW: WATER LEAKS INTO THE TAILGATE LAMP CAUSING CORROSION AND CAN LEAD TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE OF THE LAMP. THERE WILL ALSO BE A WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. E70. *RM
CN-10E-A02 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
BMW SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP WHICH COULD NOT MEET EMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS. THERE MAY BE A LONG CRANK AND A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. *RM
Showing 10 of 15 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 BMW X5
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW X5
- 2003 BMW X5 — 134 complaints
- 2004 BMW X5 — 93 complaints
- 2005 BMW X5 — 109 complaints
- 2006 BMW X5 — 220 complaints
- 2007 BMW X5 — 119 complaints
- 2008 BMW X5 (current)
- 2009 BMW X5 — 203 complaints
- 2010 BMW X5 — 187 complaints
- 2011 BMW X5 — 394 complaints
- 2012 BMW X5 — 370 complaints
- 2013 BMW X5 — 210 complaints