10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,644 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 #30

Nov 152023

X5

  • miles
My 2008 bmw x5 4.8i almost caught fire. The fuel pump connector is burnt into the fuel pump harness. My local mechanic said this was like a ticking time bomb. The issue is these trucks are known for this problem and there was a recall for this but my vin coming up with no recalls when this truck is clearly apart of the bad batch, I have pictures for proof.

- Maspeth , NY, USA

problem #29

Jun 012023

X5

  • miles
My 2008 BMW X5 was taken to a shop to be diagnosed due to Diagnosis as followed:( low coolant light coming on) -??coolant crossover pipe from timing belt cover leaking-?? it is available for inspection, although it is not safe to drive. The low coolant light went off after I put more in it and did not come back on. Me and my then 10 month old were picking my 14 year old up from school and I noticed smoke pouring out of the hood. There was no warning lights or anything. Then the air conditioner started to blow smoke out as well. I cut the car off and it continued to smoke for approximately an hour. The car was about to catch on fire with no warning lights and the hazardous smoke out of the vents. The problem was diagnosed by Dan-??s Auto Center. I can not move my car because it will smoke at the engine and cause a fire risk. The low coolant sensor came on a few days after purchased. I took it to get it diagnosed and the cost from that place quoted approximately 3,000 dollars. I put coolant in it and did not drive it for awhile. The sensor went off and the coolant was still full. There were no signs, no sensor, no overheating, just all the sudden huge clouds of smoke coming from my hood of the car. BMW has a lot of recalls for this same situation, but my car (year) is not listed.I do not understand this. Please add my car to the list, this is a 2000 to 3000 job and I have to get my car towed to a place if I ever can. Can I take this to a BMW Place and ask them to fix due to other recalls? This was very scary for me and my children. -??The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles, a melting intake manifold, and potentially fire, -??according to BMW.

- Sherwood , OR, USA

problem #28

Jun 262023

X5 6-cyl

  • miles
I've been experiencing drive train problems with my vehicle and upon research I've concluded that not just only me but many people with the same vehicle as mine have been having transfer case/driveshaft/differential problems and the scary part is that no codes pop up for this issue!! I've already took it to many shops I've even took it to an official BMW dealership and they don't seem to help but the real reason I'm reaching out is because I nearly had a near death experience related to this issue on the freeway.. the vehicle seemed to shake violently and felt like it wanted to seize up while driving and had to do an emergency pull over but once again it doesn't throw no codes and not only that I've already spent thousand of dollars into this car for it to react like that while driving! Please ?? hear me out and help me resolve this as soon as possible.. thank you [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Newark, CA, USA

problem #27

Aug 102022

X5

  • miles
PCV MY safety of my self and my 5 yr 17 yr I use my BMW X5 to take my kids or doctors and school and I work too and something need to be happen about this bc My family are AT RISK OF GETTING CAUGHT ON FIRE when iam starting up the car black smoke or white smoke comes out and when iam driving and people who are behind in they car get smoke out my lots of smoke that comes from my car in back and yes ita a RECALL on my car Manufactuer NO warning just smoke and driving very and had it look at then i was told

- Sa, TX, USA

problem #26

Mar 222021

X5

  • 130,000 miles
Vehicle shut off while stopped. A smell of hot electrical was present immediately before the shut off. Inspection of the vehicle showed a blown fuse for the fuel pump circut, as well as melting of the plastic power connection to the fuel pump, and the insulation on the power wires themselves. The bare wires were exposed at the connection. The wiring harness was stiff from the connector of the fuel pump to the rubber seal on the body.

- Spanaway, WA, USA

problem #25

Jan 192020

X5

  • miles
My car started leaking gasoline from back under rear passenger tire, after I was running for more than one hour, I experienced gasoline smell and I checked it out and I saw a gasoline dripping from the area, the car was on and running but when I stopped the car I smelled gasoline so I fallowed the smell and I saw the dripping, I turned off and waited for the car to cool down, and I started after and the leak stopped, now I'm worried about it, because I can't drive the car to far or for to long because I might get bigger issues, because the leak is right before the muffler and the muffler gets hot, and maybe if a drip gets to the muffler something bad can happen, I just need some help with this issue, thank you

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #24

Sep 162019

X5

  • 111,000 miles
I was driving in interstate 4 hwy. Going about 50 mph trying to speed but no control of the accelerator. Thankfully I managed to merge rights in the car switch from driving park. I called BMW headquarter and they said days no recall for this vehicle. Also I contacted may warranty company "concord auto protect" they said it's not covered because it's under recall. So I have no idea how's right?! please help me. Thanks

- Winter Garden, FL, USA

problem #23

Oct 022018

X5

  • 141,244 miles
Kept getting mail about a recall my car had didnt think it was that important so I stalled the process a little until I kept getting mail non stop about the matter so I finally find the time to take my car to get the recall done of course I imagined it will be a walk in the park due to the fact that it was free of charge, so after I get the recall done for fuel pump and airbags I pick vehicle up from the dealer everything seems to be fine, next day comes my car leaves me stranded on a random block and completely shuts down on me, what makes matters worst now im stuck somewhere and have to get a tow truck to take me somewhere im not bothering or move me out the way, I contact the dealer tel them whats going on they make me pay a tow truck to bring the car to them again, so I bring the car to the dealer and let them check over the work they just did on my car because I wasnt having any problems with my car before this literally none maybe a lightbulb went out that was about it nothing else even passes inspection with flying colors, so anyways pass that now they telling me that the problem is in the fuel system that they just was suppose to replace mind you I never had a problem with my vehicle and ive owned it a few years, so now I got this recall done and now this problem comes up, so now I agree to pay them 1100$ just to fix something that was suppose to be free which im not happy about one bit not only they take longer then they suppose too working on my car but few days after I pay them and take my vehicle now the same problem again !! get stranded so now im not thinking going back because I cant afford to have something else come up and have to pay once again ! so as of now I had to take my car to my own personal mechanic so he can fix a problem my car never had prior to this recall visit im furious and spend over 3000 trying to clean up the dealers mess !

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #22

Jan 292018

X5

  • miles
While driving my vehicle in motion, a warning sensor came on stating that my vehicle engine was overheating. Then, my vehicle came to a complete stop, making it unable to drive.

- Lakewood, CO, USA

problem #21

Jan 162018

X5

  • miles
We had a defective in-tank fuel pump replace in September 2016 by an independent mechanic. We then received a recall from BMW usa in December 2016. We've since had BMW san diego review the installation and they determined that the part installed was not a BMW part so BMW usa denied reimbursement under the tread act. We then confirmed with our mechanic that BMW parts were used and forwarded this info to BMW but they still refuse to reimburse. We replace a defective part and should be compensated. Reference; BMW correspondence [1-8113168403]. I asked for photos and their denial in writing and they refused to provide either. I saw the part initially removed and it was burned up inside the gas tank!!!

- Lafayette, CA, USA

problem #20

Nov 302017

X5

  • miles
My car was apart of the recall takata. Part was repaired by bloomfield dealership, took a week. Pick up car on Thursday, by Friday morning the coolant light turned on. I called the office Friday, no response left message, Saturday called twice no response or call back. I called today Monday 12/4 left a message with the receptionist as the service manager was unavailable. Was told I'd receive a call back, I have yet to hear back.. due to their faulty repair my car is unsafe to drive

- Newark, NJ, USA

problem #19

Nov 012017

X5

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V071000 (air bags), 16V746000 (fuel system, gasoline), and 17V020000 (air bags). The parts do to the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair because the recall notices were received over a year ago. The dealer (BMW greenwich) and (BMW mamaroneck, 110 midland ave, port chester, NY 10573 (914) 881-3600) were contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedies. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact received a postcard from tk holdings, alerting him that they filed for bankruptcy. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available for NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V746000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 17V020000 (air bags). Parts distribution disconnect for NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags).

- Rye, NY, USA

problem #18

Apr 072012

X5

  • miles
Takata recall sludge forming in oil unit

- Oro Valley, AZ, USA

problem #17

Dec 202016

X5

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V071000 (air bags), 16V364000 (air bags), and 16V746000 (fuel system, gasoline). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Jackie cooper BMW MINIin Oklahoma city, Oklahoma was made aware of the recall and stated that the parts were available; however, the vehicle could not be serviced for eight to ten weeks. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the dealer. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Midwest City, OK, USA

problem #16

Dec 012016

X5

  • miles
Takata recall received notified March 2016 driver's front air bag module recalled, July 2016 passenger's front air bag module recalled, and December 2016 in-tank fuel pump recalled. No notices to fix any of these items. Takata recall

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #15

Mar 012016

X5

  • miles
Bill pearce BMW (billpearcebmw.com/) in reno, nv has in no way resolved these recalls in a timely manner. I have made at least 10 calls over the last 17 months to their service/parts department to inquire on availability of replacement parts. The engine is not running at its optimal level and is potentially getting damaged as a result of the faulty fuel pump that is under recall. I am driving at my and my family's risk due to both airbags and fuel pump not meeting safety regulations and BMW is being negligent in treating these 3 recalls as a priority. I have also escalated the matter to BMW customer relations on 7/26/17 and am awaiting their response. There is no incident related to this complaint, but I strongly believe the vehicle is not safe to drive. I have indicated the date of the first communication received by BMW as well as uploaded a pdf version of their initial notification.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #14

Jun 192017

X5

  • 130,000 miles
We are smell gasoline inside the cabin while we were driving and also when we stop we could still smell gasoline. We took in to the BMW shop on July 5, 2017, but they said they didn't the recall in-tank fuel pump part yet

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #13

Feb 262016

X5

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V071000 (air bags), 16V746000 (fuel system, gasoline), and 17V020000 (air bags). The parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect and VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #12

Mar 272017

X5

  • miles
Computer system does not function properly, causing vehicle to go into transmission error mode-vehicle abruptly loses power and speed while driving. This has happened on highway (saw our lives flash before our eyes as semis bore down on us and almost drove over us/other vehicles trying to avoid collisions and in town with several near-collisions involving ours' and other vehicles. Vehicle has had several recalls and computer system has been updated at our expense with problem not resolved and we are told we need new tranny. We do not believe this is so as when you turn off vehicle and turn it back on-code disappears and car drives fine until you go up a hill or let foot off accelerator/ accelerate, ect. Instead of addressing the problem with the computer system, dealerships make bank on replacing transmissions that soon fail again due to the computer issues.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #11

Nov 162016

X5

  • 7,300 miles
My 2008 X5 sport 4.8I with 76,000 miles in nor ca has had 3 petrifying episodes of engine stalling in the middle of the street while driving my kids to school and myself to work at low speed -sub 40mph in middle of 2016 and early 2017! thanks god we were saved and did not get rear ended from oncoming traffics because I was able to quickly pull the vehicle over into a side street and store plaza, but the incidents were frightful and traumatized our well-being! 2 out of 3 incidents, the vehicle could not be driven (made loud engine noise and could not start with engine light lid up) and it was towed to a BMW certified shop for repair. First and second incidents were the faulty fuel pump and the faulty oxygen sensor was for the third incident and both parts were replaced with the repair cost was more than $2000. I have had the faulty fuel pump issues repaired because safety of our family and safety of other drivers on the road comes first. BMW has recently issue the recall on faulty fuel pump late 2016 and the part will not be available until late spring 2017. BMW should voluntarily issue reimbursement notice for all of the repair costs on any recalled issues that were taken prior to the recalls posted to illustrate good faith to its customers. In early March 2017 we have decided to buy a reliable and safer vehicle (not a BMW) because our 2008 X5 4.8I is not safe and too distressful for us to drive and also for the safety of other drivers on the road. For the amount of money we have paid for this sport 4.8I X5 brand new in 2008, we nor anyone else would not expect that it has had many faulty and malfunction on its basic safety parts and also on other parts. BMW should get its act together and be accountable for all of these basic safety and reliable parts to live up to its name and theme as the ultimate driving machine and not as a potential ultimate killing machine!

- San Jose, CA, USA

Read the next 10 complaints »