2008 BMW 535xiProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 71 owner complaints about the 2008 BMW 535xi, most often about the electrical system. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 28, 2024. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 BMW 535xi has problems

71 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system264
Engine161
Air bags130
Fuel/propulsion system130
Exterior lighting110
Power train80
Seat belts60
Seats51
Engine and engine cooling41
12 other systems190

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2008 BMW 535xi recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Mileage at failure

When do electrical system problems start?

89kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 21 electrical system complaints. 67% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
1under 30k miles14under 100k miles7100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2008 vs. every other 535xi year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 535xi median. How we score

'08'10'11'12'13'14
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What 535xi owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11508175 · Feb 20, 2023
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…
Complaint 11461541 · Apr 20, 2022
FOR OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE (SMALL) ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY & CONSTANTLY GOING ON/OFF. I'VE HAD SENSORS, SPARK PLUGS, TUBES & EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN REPLACED AND HAVE TAKEN (OR TOWED IN MOST CASES) THE CAR TO MANY DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS FOR MULTIPLE QUOTES & REPAIRS. THE LATEST…
Complaint 11279664 · Nov 12, 2019 · 116,000 miles

Own a 2008 535xi?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.