Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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. …
Tl contact owns a 2008 BMW 535xi (na). While driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine began smoking. The dealer made three attempts to diagnose the failure. The high pressure fuel pump was replaced but it cracked again. The vehicle was being repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer had not been notified. The current mileage was 30,100. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.
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. …
2008 BMW 535i took my car into dealership due to car running rough. They couldn't find anything and sent me on my merry way. Took my car in on Monday, May 4 due to car running rough and ticking noise in engine...told them we were going on a 1,000 mile road trip the end of the week. They couldn't find anything but did replace some brake items. Driving home at the end of our trip, on acceleration my car 'skipped' three times....a couple of minutes later I tested it and accelerated again (on fl turnpike) it 'skipped' hard again three times. Got off at the next exit...at the light I got a 'engine malfunction' light and limped into the 7-11. Put gas in car, called BMW concierge. We were close enough to home to have it towed to the dealership, get a driver to help us transfer all our luggage etc, and take us home. …
Engine malfunction! Reduced power was the message I received on my dash display. I took photos of the displayed message. Car went from 65 MPH down to 18 MPH in a matter of seconds in the far left lane of the interstate highway. Could have been killed. Had to chug and lurch over three lanes of speeding traffic to get to the right shoulder of the road. I've already had the fuel pump replaced by BMW recall (a recall that I was never notified by BMW that the recall existed). Apparently the fuel pump recall was not all of the problem as this same engine malfunction still occurs and the car still behaves the same as before the fuel pump recall. Took the car to the dealer the very next day. He cleared a code in my onboard computer and did nothing to fix this problem. This problem with my BMW 535xi wagon is going to get someone in my family killed or seriously injured. …
While driving at highway speed, the car began to run very roughly. A warning light and warning message appeared, indicating that there was an engine problem. We pulled off the highway and into a parking lot. We stopped the engine, waited a few minutes and restarted the car. The car continued to run roughly but there was no warning light or message. We continued on to our destination (shopping). When we finished our shopping, I started the car and it continued to run roughly and the same warning light and message appeared. I wanted to drive the car to the dealer for service but when I pulled out of the parking space the car stalled. I restarted the car, drove it about 100 feet into another parking lot and had the car towed to the dealer. When I described the problem at the dealership, a service rep indicated that they thought it was the fuel pump. …
I had my car in for routine service two weeks ago, and I mentioned that the car had been slow to start in the morning, and idled roughly. I was told that the car was 'reprogrammed" and that should take care of the issue. Yesterday, while I was driving on the highway, the engine malfunction light came on, and the car lost acceleration, and I had to pull over on the right, through 3 lanes of rush hour traffic with a car that barely accelerated. I took the car to the dealer who said it was a bad sensor. This morning, my wife was driving the car with my 3 month old daughter and the engine malfunction light came on again. My wife tried to find a safe place to pull over, but the engine died at the light. She started the car again, and made it halfway into the intersection, and the car died again. She was very worried that she was going to get hit while stuck in the intersection. …
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. …
Purchased a 2008 BMW 535i in June 2008. Vehicle has 30,000 miles on it. About six months after purchasing the vehicle, started to have the "engine malfunction/reduced power" light come on about every three months. Two months ago, the same thing happened but the vehicle shut off at a stop light. Had the vehicle towed and the fuel pump was replaced. Had the vehicle back for approx two weeks and same thing happened again. Had the vehicle towed. They replace some fuel injectors and spark plugs. Had the vehicle back approx 3 weeks. Happened again. Luckily still not on the freeway. Drove the vehicle in to the dealer. They replaced more fuel injectors. Had the vehicle back a week and the vehicle shut off on the freeway in traffic in los angeles going 65 MPH and almost was in a major traffice accident. Called the dealer today (Saturday) and the service dept is not in on weekends. …
We were driving on a 55 MPH speed limit road. We were going up a slope, our car ( BMW 5 Series) suddenly lost power and we were unable to drive the car beyond 30 MPH. We had to pull to the side of the road. After contacting BMW, they informed us that they can not take it to the dealer as all the dealers are closed on sundays. So we drove the car slowly to the house ( 3 miles away). The car was towed to the dealer next day, were told that it is a high pressure fuel pump failure. The pump was replaced. Now we have the car back. BMW dealer mentioned that there is nothing we can do to prevent this from happening again, BMW is aware of the problem. Also mentioned that such a failure is an acceptable price for the car's great engine. My wife stopped driving the car because the engine May fail with the children with her in the car, it will be dangerous. …
Fuel System complaints in other 5 Series years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2008 BMW 5 Series?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2008 BMW 5 Series, 46% of the model year's 105 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 BMW 5 Series fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2008 BMW 5 Series, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 BMW 5 Series fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 23,000 miles, and 57% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.