Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 BMW 5 Series owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My vehicle had a faulty PCV valve that was under "Stop Drive," order. I received no correspondence from the NHTSA nor from BMW of North America in regards to this. My BMW X-5 had significant issues that are directly associated with this issue. After contacting BMW of North America directly because I could not reach anyone at my nearest BMW Service Department, it was escalated twice to attempt to arrange for my vehicle that I unknowingly continued to drive. My vehicle has sat undriven since May of 2024. It was finally picked up, towed to the dealership for repairs related to the PCV recall. The PCV valve was replaced and my vehicle was returned to me in undriveable condition. None of the rough idle, burning smell or engine issues were attended to. They simply replaced the valve without further investigation into the damage done by continued driving of a "Stop Drive," order. …
I purchased a new BMW 535i on May 26, 2008 and on aug 8, 2008 while I was driving my car at 70 miles and hour the car started was shaking as if running on 3 cylinders. There was a message from the car stating engine malfunction reduced power! I waited 3 hours for a tow truck and after a few days I received a call from richmond BMW stating I needed a new high pressure fuel injection system. I said fine and then received a call the next day saying my car was ready. When I picked it up they didn't repair anything they said they were told by munich to just reset the light and claim atmospheric conditions!! On Friday September 5th while trying to cross an intersection I was almost t-boned when my car again lost power. Then on Saturday September 6th the engine lost power again and same message popped up on the idrive screen. …
I have a 2008 BMW 535i with sport package and premium package. I have had an "engine malfunction/reducing horsepower" issue with this car 3 times since purchasing it in August 2008. The first incident occurred within 3 weeks of delivery and only 600 miles. The second incident happened about a month later with approx 1500 miles; and the third incident occurred on 11/3/08 with approximately 2200 miles. BMW says each time that it's a misfire in one of the cylinders - but that they do not know how to fix it. So each time they reset the computer and send me away. This is a very dangerous situation. I drive on california freeways most of the time and when this engine malfunction occurs, the car starts "limping" and missing and I have to slow and pull to the side of busy, busy freeways that are very dangerous. …
Purchased new 535i 8/22/08. With less than 400 mile, received engine malfunction-power reduced warning while driving at interstate speed. Limped to dealer, who had car for 4.5 days. 1st question: what type of fuel? Shell. Response: May have to much ethanol. Service found an engine mis-fire code; replaced injector and swapped coils to validate inj. Replacement. 2nd occurrence at 3200 miles, again at hi-way speeds. Mis-fire code again found by dealer service. Injectors were "swapped"; I'm not sure to what end. The car was also "reprogrammed".I get the impression that service people do not know what is truly causing the problem. Or else that they are trying not to commit. Now have approx. 4100 miles w/o any recurrence. Apparently this is an issue that is not just with the 5 Series, but the 3 Series also, both types with the n54 turbo charged 3 liter engine. …
Engine malfunction -- reduced power and then the car either reduces power or dies completely. Also, cold engine rough start and rough idle. To date, fuel injectors were replaced, where upon it was recommended that I no longer buy sam's club 93 octane gas but a "name brand." I did -- problem re-occurred on July 24, 2010, out of the blue without warning, this time with my 6 year old in the car on a highway. I was able to get over to the right shoulder of the road without incident, and turn off the engine, wait a few moments and restart. The BMW dealer has had my car since late July, and have now replaced one of the turbos in the engine. I am hoping nobody has to die before BMW is asked to recall n54 engine BMW's or buy back the ones they have sold. The dealership has recommended that I write a complaint to BMW north America. I will. …
2008 BMW 535i "engine malfunction - reduced power!" message on 06/07/10. It has around 30K miles. I took it to the dealer, and they diagnosed the problem as a wastegate malfunction. I picked it up from the dealer on 06/08/10 and drove it to florida on 06/09/10. After being in florida for 4 days, the problem returned. The I-drive system froze and eventually powered off and came right back on. The car sat overnight, and I made it back to atlanta the next day without any issues (no error on the display). Took it to the dealer on Monday, 06/14 and this time a low pressure sensor was diagnosed as the problem. Picked it up from the dealer yesterday (06/16) and drove home without incident. Drove to work today (06/17), no problem. On the way home today, the problem resurfaced. The car will be going back to the dealer tomorrow. This will be the 3rd time in less than 2 weeks. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 BMW 535xi. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was engaged and the engine began to sputter with an extensive reduction in power. The contact continued with caution and the vehicle was taken to a dealer where they replaced the fuel pressure sensor, spark plugs and performed an oil change. The failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three times in which there were no resolutions. The high pressure pump was replaced on a different occasion. In addition, when encountering a bump in the road and down-shifting from third to second gear, an abnormal clicking noise would occur. Recently, the engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was in the process of being diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. Updated 01/28/11 updated 02/07/11
I purchased a certified, pre-owned 2008 BMW 535xi with approx. 22,000 miles on 10/23/10. Subsequent to my purchase, I discovered the high-pressure fuel pump in the vehicle had earlier failed and been replaced. On 10/28/10, just 5 days after purchasing - I was driving on a surface street when the car began violently shaking and rocking, the engine lost substantial power and nearly stalled, and the engine malfunction indicator lit. I took the vehicle in for service on 10/28/10 and the vehicle was returned 10/30/10. 3 of 4 fuel injectors were replaced along with all sparkplugs. At high speeds, this type of engine malfunction would pose an extreme safety risk in my opinion. I have contacted BMW USA and the dealership where I purchased the vehicle and I have not been satisfied with the response to-date.
We bought a certified pre-owned 2008 535xi in November 2010. It had 36,000 miles. At 59,000 miles while driving approximately 75 MPH on a majory highway in long island after sitting in traffic for an hour and a half on a 70 degree day, the car just shut down. It would barely steer and would not accelerate. We were lucky that the brakes worked and were able to glide over to the shoulder. Computer said engine overheated and it was the red indicator which is the worst. We got towed to a dealership and are told its the water pump. We did have the car serviced at a different dealership 4 days before this happened and told them about a clicking noise from the engine but they didn't hear it so nothing was done. The incident was very scary and makes me not want to drive the car anymore.
Car in for service for the third time. The first two times, high-pressure fuel pump was replaced. This time, 2 fuel injectors and plugs will be replaced. Symptoms have been the same each time - engine light comes on, low power message is displayed and car runs extremely rough. One incident required the vehicle to be towed to the shop as it stalled while driving and would not re-start. Based on information on this site and in the BMW forums, I am concerned that the car is not being adequately repaired, but just patched. I do not feel comfortable driving a car that might stall or lose significant power while driving in highway conditions.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon…
Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of…
Engine complaints in other 5 Series years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 BMW 5 Series?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 BMW 5 Series, 38% of the model year's 105 complaints. The component named most often is engine (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 BMW 5 Series engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 22V-119 (crankcase (pcv), Mar 2, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 BMW 5 Series engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 26,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.