The Lemon Index2008 BMW 5 Series.
The 2008 BMW 5 Series is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 97 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 214, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about fuel system, gasoline, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 18 to 21 mpg combined. The best BMW 5 Series year is 2016.
Lemon alert. 2.1× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2016
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 431 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every BMW 5 Series year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 35K to 100K miles on the car (355 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 52K–104K miles
- lights complaints mostly came at 55K–104K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 59K–118K miles
Recalls 6
- engine 2022
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.
- engine 2017
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- lights 2013
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 mo…
Show all 6 recalls
- engine 2012
A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink.
- electrical 2012
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES.
- brakes 2010
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems BMW told dealers about
BMW sent dealers 140 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist System Diagnosis Information
- External Engine Oil Leaks and Repairs
- Battery Replacements
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3800–4400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
2008 BMW 535i-engine power failure, engine shuts down and loss of power steering and maneuvering ability.
2008 BMW 5 Series owner · NHTSA complaint 10363695
More owner reports
Failure of the high pressure fuel pump (hpfp) in my 2008 BMW 535i. Car lost power on the highway and caused a unsafe reduction of speed being the car by design will reduce power during the failure to save the engine.
NHTSA complaint 10294946
2008 535i BMW repeated engine malfunction warning lights and numerous visits to the dealership, problem has been hpfp, software programming and injectors. Still not 100% resolved.
NHTSA complaint 10265995
Quick answers
Is the 2008 BMW 5 Series reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.1× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 214; 100 is average, lower is better). The best BMW 5 Series year by this measure is 2016.
What are the most common 2008 BMW 5 Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, gasoline (43%), engine (37%) and electrical (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 BMW 5 Series have?
6 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 BMW 5 Series get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 BMW 5 Series problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 35,000 and 100,400 miles. The middle report was at 67,000 miles, from 355 complaints.
Does the 2008 BMW 5 Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 BMW 5 Series cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $4400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 BMW 5 Series have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl.
What BMW 5 Series year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2016, 2015 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works