2008 BMW 5 Series Engine Problems
NHTSA has 40 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2008 BMW 5 Series, 38% of all 105 complaints for this model year. That is the highest engine complaint count among 9 5 Series model years. Median mileage at failure: 25,000 miles.
- Engine complaints
- 40
- 38% of 105
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 25,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
When 2008 BMW 5 Series engine complaints were filed
First complaint Sep 11, 2008, latest Nov 5, 2025.
Engine recalls for the 2008 BMW 5 Series
- NHTSA 22V119000Mar 2, 2022Engine917,106 vehicles
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 (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk: 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.
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 charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Engine complaints by 5 Series model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
- 20050 (0%)
- 20069 (11%)
- 20071 (8%)
- 200840 (38%)
- 20092 (25%)
- 20102 (33%)
- 201110 (12%)
- 20123 (30%)
- 20230 (0%)
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2008 BMW 5 Series have engine problems?
- NHTSA has 40 owner complaints about the engine in the 2008 BMW 5 Series, 38% of all complaints for this model year. Median mileage at failure is 25,000 miles.
- Which BMW 5 Series year has the most engine complaints?
- The 2008 BMW 5 Series has the most engine complaints (40), compared with 40 for the 2008.
- Is there a engine recall for the 2008 BMW 5 Series?
- Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 BMW 5 Series concerns the engine: 22V119000.