2008 BMW X5 Engine Problems
NHTSA has 88 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2008 BMW X5, 37% of all 235 complaints for this model year. That is #3 highest engine complaint count among 21 X5 model years. These complaints report 1 crash and 8 fires. Median mileage at failure: 69,000 miles.
- Engine complaints
- 88
- 37% of 235
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 8
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 69,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
When 2008 BMW X5 engine complaints were filed
First complaint Jul 25, 2010, latest Jun 5, 2025.
Engine recalls for the 2008 BMW X5
- 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.
- 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.
Engine complaints by X5 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2008 BMW X5 have engine problems?
- NHTSA has 88 owner complaints about the engine in the 2008 BMW X5, 37% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 69,000 miles.
- Which BMW X5 year has the most engine complaints?
- The 2011 BMW X5 has the most engine complaints (130), compared with 88 for the 2008.
- Is there a engine recall for the 2008 BMW X5?
- Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2008 BMW X5 concern the engine: 22V119000 and 17V683000.