10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,094 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 BMW X5:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #11

Apr 012017

X5

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated that a warning light on the instrument panel indicated the rear drivers side brake light had malfunctioned. After removing the brake light assembly it was discovered that the bulb housing had melted and was damaged. The vehicle was taken to the local BMW dealer BMW of henderson, 261 auto mall dr. Henderson, nv. Who diagnosed that the entire brake light assembly would need to be replaced. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact was also informed that the rear passenger side brake light that also experienced the same failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failures but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 98,000.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #10

Apr 032017

X5

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated that the while driving the vehicle, the rear drivers side brake light failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear driver side brake light needed to be replaced. Two weeks later the rear passenger side brake light failed. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Stow, OH, USA

problem #9

Jun 012016

X5

  • 61,000 miles
I opened the drivers side panel to replace the bulbs but found that the drivers side brake light housing was burned and melted and needed to be replaced. After looking over other lightening complaints, it seems as though this is a common issue with the 2008 BMW X5 and a potential fire hazard. This should be addressed by BMW before there are any fires as a result of the defective tail light housing

- Lake Elsinore, CA, USA

problem #8

Jun 012015

X5

  • 112,000 miles
I was told by the BMW dealer, my driver side rear brake bulb socket is melted to the housing because of the bulb heating up and I need to replace both sides housing, the bulb can not be removed because the socket is melted to the housing. I can not even change my blown bulb and it is given me a blown bulb signal on my dash board?

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

problem #7

Jun 032014

X5

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated that the headlight assembly wires were fractured. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlights needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Maddison , WI, USA

problem #6

Dec 022014

X5 6-cyl

  • 48,829 miles
A brake lamp malfunction light came on the dash board for the right tail light, the mechanic opened the panel to replace the bulbs but found that the brake light housing was burned and melted and needed to be replaced. After looking over other lightening complaints, it seems as though this is a common issue with the 2008 BMW X5 and a potential fire hazard. It is also expensive to replace, my mechanic is quoting over $600 for one side and I fear I will have an issue with the other side. This should be addressed by BMW before there are any fires as a result of the defective tail light housing.

- Pacific Palisades, CA, USA

problem #5

Aug 202014

X5 8-cyl

  • 105,281 miles
I had the light bulb sensor illuminate in my car. I brought the car to the local BMW dealer for light bulb replacement. The rear parking brake lenses are fused to the parking brake light bulbs. The light bulb can not be removed. There is a possibility of this lens catching on fire there are marks on the lens cover that shows this. I spoke to BMW North America and they would not replace. This is a safety issue it could catch on fire. I can not replace the bulb without replacing both lenses. My car will now not pass inspection in my state due to this issue..

- Wilbraham, MA, USA

problem #4

Nov 052013

X5

  • 52,543 miles
The X5 displayed a digital message on the dash front panel stating: "left brake light malfunction". I removed the panel where the back tail lights are located and found that the driver's brake light plastic carrier, where the bulb sits, was burnt brown, melted and cracked open. I then proceeded to check the passenger side and to my surprise, I found that the same exact circumstance had happened. I believe the bulb is too hot and too close to the plastic carrier, causing the melting. In my opinion, on top of maybe causing an accident due the malfunction of the brake lights, it is an electrical issue, that in the worst case scenario can cause a fire. I believe this matter should be investigated by the Agency. I called BMW ag, manufacturers and they replied that they don't have a recall for this vehicle with this specific problem. I owe a 528I, 2010 as well, and I received a recall letter last week to take it back for, as they stated > this recall involves the bulb carrier ("bulb holder") within the rear lamp. Within the bulb carrier, the electrical contacts may be susceptible to corrosion due to aging and environmental influences. I took the 528I to the dealership today and both tail lights bulb carriers were replaced, due to the recall notice I received, so it was fixed to standards. I took 8 very clear pictures of the melted plastic bulb carrier of the X5, 2008, I can send you if needed, to back up my complaint. Thanks for the kind attention you give to this matter and hoping to hear from you in a very near future, I remain, V/R, BMW X5, 2008, owner.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #3

Nov 262013

X5

  • 52,200 miles
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated that the rear driver's side brake light malfunctioned. The bulb holder had turned black and was slightly melted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not inspected. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 52,200.

- San Antoinio, TX, USA

problem #2

Oct 262012

X5

  • 112,000 miles
My brake lights were out. BMW has indicated that both sockets have melted to the point that they can't remove anything without breaking things. I did some research online and found that people have had this same thing and fires have started. Worth investigating!

- Hoboken, NJ, USA

problem #1

Sep 112012

X5 6-cyl

  • 62,186 miles
A brake lamp malfunction light came on the dash board for, at first the left brake light, then later the right brake light. I opened the panel to replace the bulbs only to find that in both sides, the brake light housings were melted because the bulbs were so hot. The taillight housing were burned black and melted. This was less than an inches from the electrical wiring. I was surprised there wasn't a fire inside both panels. As goodwill, and to retain my loyalty, BMW of alexandria replaced both at no charge. Each assembly cost $500, and I needed two. Customers should check to ensure this is not happening in their car before it is too late.

- Arlington, VA, USA