YearToAvoid

2008 BMW X5 Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA has 18 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2008 BMW X5, 8% of all 235 complaints for this model year. That is #6 highest transmission complaint count among 21 X5 model years. These complaints report 1 crash. Median mileage at failure: 52,801 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
18
8% of 235
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
52,801 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2008 BMW X5 transmission complaints were filed

First complaint May 24, 2008, latest Dec 18, 2024.

2008 BMW X5 transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2May 2008Nov 2009Feb 2010Mar 2014Nov 2015Dec 2016Mar 2017Jun 2023
18 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2008 to Dec 2024; peak Mar 2017 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2008 BMW X5

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by X5 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20059 (11%)
  2. 20067 (4%)
  3. 20079 (7%)
  4. 200818 (8%)
  5. 200910 (6%)
  6. 20108 (6%)
  7. 201165 (23%)
  8. 201262 (21%)
  9. 201337 (23%)
  10. 201412 (12%)
  11. 201514 (9%)
  12. 201613 (18%)
  13. 201710 (14%)
  14. 201810 (14%)
  15. 201918 (10%)
  16. 202017 (15%)
  17. 202128 (26%)
  18. 202224 (35%)
  19. 20237 (22%)
  20. 202416 (11%)
  21. 20257 (11%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 BMW X5 have transmission problems?
NHTSA has 18 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2008 BMW X5, 8% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 52,801 miles.
Which BMW X5 year has the most transmission complaints?
The 2011 BMW X5 has the most transmission complaints (65), compared with 18 for the 2008.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2008 BMW X5?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 BMW X5 is classified under transmission & powertrain. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.