Vehicle is 2008 528i sedan. The tire monitor pressure indicator was displayed. I took the car to a bmw dealership to check the tire pressure. They said the tire pressure was ok on all 4 tires. However, it continued to display the tmp indicator. Then for the next couple of days, when the vehicle was started, various alert indicators would display briefly and the date and time were not set. I took the car back to the dealership and they determined fluid (referred to by bmw as 'an outside influence') leaked from inside the trunk of vehicle into the rdc (communication) module, which is located under the trunk. The service advisor stated the submerged fluid shorted out the module and melted the harness. The rdc module and the harness were replaced. The trunk was not wet so I did not realize anything had leaked nor was I aware there were critical electrical components located directly under the trunk, which were not properly protected. To place the rdc module in an area where liquids can penetrate (I.e. Open drunk while raining, groceries spilling'), is extremely poor vehicle design. Since the problem was a result of 'an outside influence' it was not covered under warranty and it cost almost $1000 to fix.
2008 BMW 5 Series electrical complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 16 of 16, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Our 2008 bmw 528i has an electrical problem in which the vehicle does not have the capability of charging the battery if the vehicle is driven short distances or multiple stops. This causes the battery to run down and the vehicle to become inoperative. The vehicle will stop and not start. After four (4) trips to the dealer (trucked twice) the dealer has determined that it is an operator problem and the vehicle should be plugged into and electrical battery charger when not in use. Additionally, they indicated the vehicle should be taken daily for drives of more than 20 miles to hopefully charge the battery. The issue has us in fear of the vehicle stalling in traffic and creating a serious safety issue.
Vehicle is 2008 bmw 535xi wagon. Blocked sunroof drains meant that water drained into the vehicle, gathering in the trunk where the electronics sit. Car had multiple engine failures and warnings of transmission failure, electrical failure, sunroof error and tpm failure. Cause per bmw was blockage of rear sunroof drain. This is a common fault caused by poor design of the sunroof drains (too narrow and prone to blocking). A recall on the sedan 5 series moves the electronics to a higher position in the vehicle to prevent the electronics damage but bmw state there is no similar move possible for the wagon., also it impossible to diagnose the problem before it occurs and bmw has no suggested service steps t p[revent occurrence. When this happens its very dangerous and v expensive to remediate. Bmw occasionally covers a goodwill repair but won't cover under warranty. Advice from bmw is not park the vehicle under trees! Dealer indicates when this re-occurs bmw will not cover the cost again.
Have had 3 separate instances in the past 9 months where my car stalled or sputtered with loss of power , and once I had no steering or braking ability. Dangerous situation in freeway traffic.
2008 bmw 535i has an engine malfunction and a problem with the fuel valves. *nj the consumer stated the engine had very little power. Two months later, the consumer had to take the vehicle back to the dealer due to the same problem previously. The dealer informed the consumer again it was the fuel valves. The consumer experienced the problem for a third time, in he lost virtually all power in the engine. So far, the dealer has been unable to determine the cause of the failure.
1. Rough riding - loss of power on highway 2. Dozens of times over the last few months. Car has been in shop for two months out of last 12 for the same issue. 3. Bmw keeps trying different things but no final fixes as yet.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2008 BMW 5 Series?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history