There are no safety recalls for the 2008 BMW 535xi, but owners have filed 71 complaints with NHTSA.
2008 BMW 535xi problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Electrical System | 26 | |
| Engine | 16 | |
| Air Bags | 13 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 13 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 11 | |
| Power Train | 8 | |
| Seat Belts | 6 | |
| Seats | 5 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | |
| Structure | 3 | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 | |
| Wheels | 2 | |
Most reported parts
- Structure › Body — 2
- Equipment › Mechanical › Integrated Jack/Leveler/Stabilizer — 1
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 1
- Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments — 1
- Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 93,003 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2008 BMW 535xi complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Exterior Lighting · reported May 27, 2024
the taillight, blinker and reverse light all went out and when I pulled the components out To check to see if the bulbs are burnt all of the bulbs are perfectly fine, but the aluminum pieces were sparking, and the whole component will not work
Electrical System · reported Feb 20, 2023
Station wagon lift gate has severe wiring failures between the lift gate and body. This problem is well known throught the blog community. Broken wires cause failures, and electrical danger, to the rear lighting system that includes brake, running, back up, and turn signals. Also effected is the rear wiper, defroster, and operation access to open and close the lift gate. Tailgate failure would prohibit emergency opening and access to spare tire and fuses. I have already spent $3,000 on one harness replacement (dealer) and am looking at another $3,000 to repair (dealer) more wiring that will…
Air Bags · reported May 6, 2022
The passenger seat occupancy sensor stopped working. On the NHSTA website I found where BMW offered a 15 year warranty for this part. What was the negotiation with NHSTA that BMW offered this warranty? It is warranty SI B01 01 18. My car on the list is the E60 and E61 with option 456 (Comfort Seat). BMW refuses to honor this warranty and want to charge me $2,700 to repair this. Note that the front passenger seat is rarely occupied. Why should this part fail prematurely?
Engine · reported Apr 20, 2022
The vehicle's engine caught fire approximately 13 1/2 hours after last having been driven. I parked it in my driveway at 9pm on April 15, 2022. I was alerted to a fire in the engine by my neighbor at 10:30am on April 16, 2022. The entire engine was engulfed in flames, melting all of the plastic components. It burned through my hood and affected every part of the engine. We were able to get the fire out with a garden hose before it spread to the house and my parents' two other vehicles parked next to it. No one was burned while putting out the fire, but several neighbors and family members did…
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Apr 8, 2020
My bmw is a 2008 bmw 535xi that was manufactured on 02/2008. I have had an issue with cylinder 4 misfiring so I changed all 6 spark plugs and cylinder 4 ignition coil only to have cylinder misfiring still. I took it to a mechanic and they checked and stated that I had a bad ignition coil because my spark plug and ignition coil smelled like fuel. My friend is a tech at a local bmw dealership and told me not to repair it yet because bmw has issued a recall for my vehicle which is a e61 sports wagon. I will provide the document that shows that my vehicle is under the affected vehicles. When at…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2008 BMW 535xi have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2008 BMW 535xi as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 BMW 535xi?
Owners report electrical system problems most often (26 reports), followed by engine (16). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 93,003 miles.
Are BMW recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.