2008 BMW 525i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2008 BMW 525i has 1 NHTSA complaint and 1 recall, giving it a complaint index of 33, ranked 5th worst out of 7 model years. It compares favorably to the 2006 and 2007 model years, which are rated Avoid with complaint indexes of 83 and 100.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #5 of 7 525i years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2008 BMW 525i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine1 (100%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report a burning smell coming from under the hood tied to the PCV valve heater recall.
- The reported engine issue surfaced around 84,722 miles, matching the median mileage at failure for this year.
2008 BMW 525i recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V683000Oct 30, 2017Engine740,561 vehicles
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.
Risk: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2008 compared with other 525i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 BMW 525i reliable?
- NHTSA lists only 1 complaint and 1 recall for the 2008 525i, giving it a complaint index of 33, the 5th worst of 7 model years tracked. This is better than the 2006 and 2007 525i, both rated Avoid with complaint indexes of 83 and 100.
- What problems does the 2008 BMW 525i have?
- The single reported complaint involves the engine, specifically a PCV valve heater issue tied to a recall, with an owner reporting a burning smell from under the hood at 84,722 miles.
- Does the 2008 BMW 525i have a recall?
- Yes. Recall 17V683000 covers 2008-2011 525i and related BMW models for a PCV valve heater; dealers replace the part free of charge.
- How does the 2008 525i compare to other years?
- The 2008 525i has a complaint index of 33 and ranks 5th worst of 7 years. The 2007 525i is worse, with a complaint index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, while the 2006 525i carries an index of 83, also rated Avoid.