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2008 BMW 7 SeriesProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 11 owner complaints about the 2008 BMW 7 Series, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2008 BMW 7 Series
–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints114 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage138kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 4, 2018. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 BMW 7 Series has problems

11 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
Air bags31
Structure20
Exterior lighting11
Latches/locks/linkages11
Power train10
Seat belts10
Seats10
Service brakes, hydraulic11
Tires10
2 other systems20

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

1 recall

2008 BMW 7 Series recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.

Best & worst years

2008 vs. every other 7 Series 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 7 Series median. How we score

'95'96'97'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2008 BMW 7 Series safety ratings

2008 BMW 7 Series 4-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2008 BMW 7 Series, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Vehicle RollawayEA12002 · closed Jan 24, 2013
    Led to recall 12V-502
  2. Vehicle RollawayPE11025 · closed Apr 23, 2012
    No recall
In owners' words

What 7 Series owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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?
Complaint 11155824 · Dec 4, 2018 · 185,500 miles
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…
Complaint 10604607 · Jun 19, 2014 · 91,000 miles
2008 BMW 750I. CONSUMER STATES AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS T-BONED AT AN INTERSECTION BY A CAR WHO RAN A RED LIGHT AT OVER 45 MPH. *JB THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A FROM THE SPECIAL PRODUCT INVESTIGATION WHICH STATED THE IMPACT WAS A RELATIVELY LIGHT…
Complaint 10356451 · Sep 20, 2010

Own a 2008 7 Series?

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