77 complaints reported

2008 BMW 5 Series Engine

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
77
Crashes
0
Fires
9
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Sep 2023

The contact owns a 2008 BMW.The contact stated that he was getting ready to drive the vehicle, however when he started the vehicle, the ABS and check engine lights illuminated.The contact stated that he noticed the vehicle was overheating and turned the vehicle off.The contact heard an unusual sound which came from under the hood.The contact inspected and noticed that the coolant reservoir lid had detached and dented the hood due to the vehicle overheating.The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer.The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided no assistance.The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 550I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Sep 2022
Aug 2023

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a burning plastic odor throughout the vehicle and a dark gray cloud of smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) indicating that the remedy was available; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was notified of the recall notification and confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Nov 2022
Mar 2023

On March 24, 2022 I bought a 2008 BMW 528XI vehicle from Mercedes WESTWOOD, MA. UNFORTUNATELY, this car is not drivable because it needs a new transmission. It hasn't even been a year yet. The check engine light came on after the second day of purchase . Now I needed a new engine. Mercedes of WESTWOOD MA sold me faulty car (LEMON).

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Mar 2023
Jan 2023

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528XI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The engine temperature warning light illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 166,197.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jan 2023
Jan 2023

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall 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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Feb 2022
Dec 2022

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle in the morning, the vehicle hesitated, and revved up approximately three times. The contact stated that the vehicle operated as needed after driving approximately a half a mile. There were no warning lights illuminated. 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 local dealer was contacted and advised the contact to take the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jul 2022
Dec 2022

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Dec 2022
Oct 2022

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was smoke coming from under the hood and through the A/C vents. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring issue. The contact stated he would pull over for approximately 30 minutes to allow the vehicle to cool down enough to drive. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had experienced a recent failure and the contact had to have the vehicle towed to his residence. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Nov 2020
Aug 2022

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528XI. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 55 MPH, there was a burning odor coming from the engine, and blue smoke from the exhaustion pipe. Additionally, there was oil blowing out from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was unknown.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Aug 2022
Aug 2022 Fire Injury

The contact owned a 2008 BMW 528I. The contact stated that after parking, the vehicle flames were suddenly present coming from under the hood. The contact attempted to extinguish the flames but was unsuccessful and the vehicle was destroyed along with a second vehicle parked nearby. The fire department and police were called to the scene and reports were taken. During the incident the contact suffered smoke inhalation which required medical treatment. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact later received a recall noticed for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 210,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Feb 2022
Jul 2022

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving, she noticed that smoke was coming from the hood of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the PCV valve needed to be replaced; however, the part to do the repair was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unavailable. VIN tool confirms part not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Apr 2022
Jun 2022

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528I. 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jun 2022
Apr 2022

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528i. 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 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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Apr 2022
Apr 2022 Fire

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528i. The contact stated there was an abnormal burning odor in the vehicle. The contact detected smoke in the vehicle. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. 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 local dealer was not 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 issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000. (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jan 2021
Feb 2022 Fire

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528i Sedan. The contact stated while driving approximately 35mph when the vehicle began to produce smoke from the engine compartment alongside an odor of burning plastic. The contact was able to pull over and have the vehicle towed to their residence, but was not taken to a local dealer. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with, NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Feb 2022
Jun 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 5351. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A MISFIRE CYLINDER # 2. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 535I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Feb 2020
Apr 2020 Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, WHEN WARNING MESSAGE OF "ENGINE HOT AND DRIVE MODERATELY" WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUCTIONAL PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN SAW SMOKE EXITING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A BOTTLE OF WATER SHE HAD IN HAND. NO FIRE OR POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS CURRENTLY WAITING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 535I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Apr 2020
Jan 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, HE STARTED HEARING AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE BECAME AWARE THAT THE PVC HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER CRITZ BMW LOCATED AT 7009 ABERCORN ST, SAVANNAH, GA 31406, (912) 354-7000, AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER DECLINED TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jan 2020
Mar 2019 Fire

I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY BMW STARTED SHAKING AND WHEN I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND OPENED MY HOOD THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Sep 2019
Nov 2018 Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528IX. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF THE HUDSON VALLEY AT (844) 865-8595 (LOCATED AT 2068 SOUTH RD, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY 12601) AND WAS INFORMED THAT AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WOULD BE AVAILABLE SOMETIME IN MARCH OF 2019. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,278.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Sep 2018
Oct 2018

DRIVING IF FREEWAY 65 MPH, ALL THE SUDDEN CAR STALLED LOST POWER I DROVE IT OFF THE FREEWAY THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO TURN, TRY TO STARTUP THE CAR DID NOT START CALLED AAA FOR TOW TRUCK AFTER 15 MIN I START THE CAR, START FINED AND NO PROBLEM, TO BMW USA MADE APPOINTMENT WITH BMW DEALER 4 DAYS LATER WAS AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE, THE DAY BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT, AFTER DROPPED MY DAUGHTER THE CAR STALLED IN MIDDLE OF THE STREET CAUSE BAD TRAFFIC CALLED TOW TRUCK AGAIN WAITED AFTER 15 MIN STARTED EVERYTHING WAS FINED BUT I TOW IT TO BMW DEALER TO CHECK IT. IDRIVE SHOULD FUEL PUMP ONCE FLASHED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS .

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 535I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Oct 2018
Sep 2018

THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP FAILED. THE SYSTEM DID NOT SHOW ANY VISIBLE WARNING ON THE DASHBOARD AT TIME OF FAILURE EVEN THOUGH THE ECU REGISTERED A FAILURE CODE INTERNALLY WHEN IT DETECTED THAT THE PUMP HAD STOPPED WORKING (AS COMPARED TO MILEAGE/TIMESTAMPS FROM DIAGNOSTIC CODES AT THE TIME OF FAILURE). SOME TIME LATER SUDDENLY THE SYSTEM DISPLAYED AN ENGINE OVERHEAT WARNING AND LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. DRIVING AT ABOUT 35-40MPH ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 535I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Sep 2018
Sep 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER (BMW OF COLUMBIA, 250 KILLIAN COMMONS PARKWAY, COLUMBIA, SC 29203, 803-404-5400) WAS CONTACTED FOR MONTHS AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BE SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. IN MARCH OF 2018, THE CONTACT BEGAN NOTICING A STRONG ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE UPON STARTING THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE DEALER WOULD RECEIVE THE PART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Dec 2017
Aug 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 5281. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE PCV VALVE HEATER VENTILATION OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUTOHAUS BMW (3015 SOUTH HANLEY ROAD, ST LOUIS, MO 63143, 314-727-8870) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,805. *TT *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jan 2014
Jun 2018 Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOWSON BMW (700 KENILWORTH DR., TOWSON, MD) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL HOUSING FILTER MELTED AND THE SPARK PLUGS EMITTED TOO MUCH VOLTAGE IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. - (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2008 BMW 528I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Feb 2014

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Quick Summary

The 2008 BMW 5 Series has 77 Engine complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.