Most common 2008 BMW 7 Series problems
Share of the 11 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 7 Series complaints by model year
Best 7 Series years: 2010, 2003. Years to avoid: 2004, 2006. Compare all years →
2008 BMW 7 Series recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
BMW is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, 6-series, and model year 2002-2008 7-series vehicles. A check valve of the brake vacuum pump May leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time this could result in contamination of the brake booster.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on November 24, 2010. Owners May contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2008 BMW 7 Series:
Vehicle Rollaway
In response to the Office of Defects Investigation's (ODI) Information Request (IR) for PE11-025, BMW provided ODI with 1 complaint and 46 field reports relating to either incidents of unattended vehicle rollaway or vehicle movement after the driver expected the vehicle gearshift to automatically shift to park. ODI's analysis of the data provided by BMW identified 14 crashes and 5 alleged injuries.
Vehicle Rollaway
In a letter dated October 16, 2012, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in MY 2005 through 2008 BMW 7-Series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access Option.The Comfort Access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by…
What 2008 BMW 7 Series owners say
Air bags
Getting error "fault in pass.-restraint system affecting airbag, belt tensioner or belt-force limiter. Fasten and continue to wear belts. Please contact the nearest BMW center." it seems to be a common problem fixed on 06 07 BMW 750li by recall what makes 08 different?
The very same issue that BMW has recalled their 2006 - 2007 7 Series is affecting my 2008 7 Series and BMW is refusing the fix the issue. Http://brandilawblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/BMW-recall.pdf the front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash May fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure. Consequence: should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bags would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury. NHTSA campaign number: 13v-564 components: air bags air bags:frontal:sensor/control module.
2008 BMW 7 Series engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 23 / 18 |
| 6.0L 12-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 20 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 BMW 7 Series a good car?
Based on 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 7 Series rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the 7 Series at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 BMW 7 Series?
The air bags — 3 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about side/window. Next are the wheels & tires (2) and body & structure (2).
How many recalls does the 2008 BMW 7 Series have?
There is 1 recall for the 2008 BMW 7 Series, the most recent from October 1, 2010 (vacuum). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 7 Series?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2004 and 2006. See the full BMW 7 Series years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 BMW 7 Series problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 91,000 miles; 17% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.