2008 BMW 535i Electrical System Problems
The 2008 BMW 535i logged 25 electrical system complaints, 34% of its 74 total complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 70,000. NHTSA recall 13V407000 covers rear taillight bulb carriers on this model, and three fires and one injury were reported.
- Electrical System complaints
- 25
- 34% of 74 complaints
- All complaints this year
- 74
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 70,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Rear taillight and turn signal wiring corrodes or burns out, triggering dash warning lights for brake, turn signal, or reverse lamp failure.
- Owners report the rear passenger tail light wires failing, in one case with smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle while driving.
- Some drivers experienced sudden loss of exterior lighting function (turn signals, reverse light) that recurred intermittently without warning.
- A headlight was found with rotted internal wiring and a fallen lens after a burning smell was noticed near the driver's side.
- One owner described the shifter's electrical ribbon cable getting pinched when shifting into reverse, disabling the shifter and sport button lights.
- Owners connected these lighting failures to NHTSA recall campaign 13V407000, though not all confirmed their vehicle was included.
When 2008 BMW 535i electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Jul 5, 2012, latest Aug 5, 2018.
Electrical System recalls for the 2008 BMW 535i
- NHTSA 13V407000Sep 11, 2013Electrical System134,100 vehicles
Exterior lighting:tail lights
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
Risk: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
Electrical System complaints by 535i model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are electrical problems on the 2008 BMW 535i?
- NHTSA lists 25 electrical system complaints for the 2008 535i, which is 34% of all 74 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2008 BMW 535i electrical system?
- Yes. Recall 13V407000 covers 2008-2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 models for rear lamp electrical contacts that gain resistance over time; BMW replaces the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge.
- At what mileage do electrical issues typically show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median failure mileage of 70,000 for electrical system complaints on this model year.
- Did the electrical problems cause any fires or injuries?
- NHTSA complaint data for this model year records 3 fire reports and 1 injury tied to reported issues, with 0 crashes.
- What specific electrical failures do owners describe?
- Owners describe taillight and turn signal wiring failures, intermittent loss of rear lighting, a headlight with rotted wiring, and a shifter ribbon cable that gets pinched and disables shifter lights.