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 X5 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, between 5-70 MPH, she smelled a plastic burning odor. The contact saw smoke coming out from underneath the hood. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road for thirty minutes. The contact then continued to drive. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that oil may have dropped in the engine compartment during an oil replacement, which led to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who informed the contact that they could not replicate the failure. …
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space, he saw smoke coming through the vents. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact then parked and opened the hood but could not find any issues. The contact was able to continue driving however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact stated while driving the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the valve cover gasket needed to be replaced and the failure was associated to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. …
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, she noticed an abnormally strong burning plastic odor inside the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact stated that she had stopped driving the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 167,964. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that two minutes later the instrument panel went blank. The contact stated that the infotainment system failed to display an image and a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 147,644.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, there was a plastic smell while the heater was in use. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that she started to notice a burning odor throughout the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
X5 was off, parked and the engine compartment burst into flames. Car was totaled There was apparently a recall issues in 2022 in which I was unaware and had no direct contact from the BMW dealer I purchased it from. The recall states that in some vehicles, this part could cause a fire. Well, I had a fire and there was zero indication of anything wrong with the car.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, she smelled a strong burning plastic odor coming through the A/C vents. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the engine emitted abnormal loud knocking sounds and the vehicle started shuddering. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove to her residence and turned the vehicle off. Upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle stalled. …
On 12/10/2022 I was driving to work and my BMW started smelling of like electrical fire. I pulled over on a exit in Sweetwater, TN and upon exiting the vehicle I noticed flames under the hood of the car. The car was on fire somewhere in the engine. A passerbuyer stopped and called 911 for me Christianburg, TN fire Dept. done the report. But BMW has a recall on this vehicle for over 1yr with no remedy to fix knowing the car can catch on fire. Luckily I was not injured but I suffered a total loss from my vehicle. Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (pcv) NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 22V119000 Report Date: Mar 02, 2022 Consequence: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked. …
This car is not safe to drive, when you accelerate lots of black smoke come from tail pipe and loose power at the same time, Its burning through spark plugs Im having to change them at least every 2 wks plugs cost 15$ a piece, Its burning through oil oil leaks popping up random all over every 2 weeks its burning through 5 quarts of oil ,oil is 18$ a quart, Do to the lose of power i have to take the access roads to and from work. Its causing me to miss a lot of work Im afraid for my wife and kids to be in the car with me its just not safe we got the letter from BMW 2 months ago about the recall what is considered a timely manner because 2 months is a ling time we need this resolved asap bmw just giving us the run arounds verses solving this issue. This car has been riding this unsafe way for at least 6 months and its getting worst by the day, its costing us to much money plus lose of work
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 and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018.
Engine complaints in other X5 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 BMW X5?
NHTSA has 85 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 BMW X5, 36% of the model year's 235 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 BMW X5 engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 22V-119 (crankcase (pcv), Mar 2, 2022); NHTSA recall 17V-683 (crankcase (pcv), Oct 30, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 BMW X5 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 8 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.