The Lemon Index2008 BMW X5.
The 2008 BMW X5 has too few complaints to score: 19 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 16 to 18 mpg combined. The best BMW X5 year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 235 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every BMW X5 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 49K to 104K miles on the car (142 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 61K–114K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 48K–86K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 54K–109K miles
Recalls 10
- airbags 2020
These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and hig.
- airbags 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2019
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
Show all 10 recalls
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- engine 2017
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- fuel system, gasoline 2016
The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimpe.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- fuel system, gasoline 2010
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 X5 SAVs VEHICLES WITH 6-CYLINDER ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2007 THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2008.
- suspension 2008
BMW IS RECALLING 55 MY 2008 X5 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR AXLE STABILIZER (ANTI-SWAY BAR).
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 249 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Delayed engagement and harsh jolt when accelerating from a stop
- Replacement of front outer cv joint
- Various electrical problems are possible on the vehicle: warning lamps illuminated
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4400–5000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
2008 BMW x5 has a faulty fuel injector pump and battery.
2008 BMW X5 owner · NHTSA complaint 10268129
More owner reports
2008 BMW x5. Consumer states engine lost all power while driving
NHTSA complaint 10412688
Quick answers
Is the 2008 BMW X5 reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 19 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2008 BMW X5 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (37%), fuel system, gasoline (37%) and electrical (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 BMW X5 have?
10 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 BMW X5 get?
16 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 BMW X5 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 49,000 and 104,200 miles. The middle report was at 72,000 miles, from 142 complaints.
Does the 2008 BMW X5 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 37% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 BMW X5 cost in fuel a year?
About $4400 to $5000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 BMW X5 have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl.
What BMW X5 year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2016 and 2015.
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