2008 BMW 5 Series engine problems

Filed Nov 5, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

My vehicle had a faulty PCV valve that was under "Stop Drive," order. I received no correspondence from the federal safety agency nor from BMW of North America in regards to this. My BMW X-5 had significant issues that are directly associated with this issue. After contacting BMW of North America directly because I could not reach anyone at my nearest BMW Service Department, it was escalated twice to attempt to arrange for my vehicle that I unknowingly continued to drive. My vehicle has sat undriven since May of 2024. It was finally picked up, towed to the dealership for repairs related to the PCV recall. The PCV valve was replaced and my vehicle was returned to me in undriveable condition. None of the rough idle, burning smell or engine issues were attended to. They simply replaced the valve without further investigation into the damage done by continued driving of a "Stop Drive," order. BMW of North America is placing blame solely on the federal safety agency for not sending me correspondence relative to this recall. My vehicle was identified as having the faulty Takata airbags and I received all of the documents sent by both the federal safety agency and BMW USA. I now have a undriveable, unsafe vehicle due to the servicer simply replacing a recalled object but not the damage caused by continuing to drive a vehicle that should have had immediate service. Please advise what steps should be taken. Tara Catalano-Smith

Filed Apr 21, 2014 · Body, Engine · 77,021 miles · WI

I took my car to the dealership for regular maintenance (oil change etc). They found right side engine mount bolt broken which can cause additional damage to the car. This was reported as a safety concern. I am the sole driver and have never had any issues or unusual road conditions. I searched on internet and I found a lot of complaints with 2008 bmws (5 series as well as 3 series). Definitely should be a safety recall !!!

Filed Dec 18, 2013 · Engine · 45,000 miles · WI

Water pump failure with less than 50k miles, repair cost $1200, ridiculous! See the federal safety agency id number: 10472497, this gentleman had the same complaint and just like him, my car was out of warranty by 1.5 months.

Filed May 15, 2012 · Engine · 59,000 miles · NJ

We bought a certified pre-owned 2008 535xi in november 2010. It had 36,000 miles. At 59,000 miles while driving approximately 75 MPH on a majory highway in long island after sitting in traffic for an hour and a half on a 70 degree day, the car just shut down. It would barely steer and would not accelerate. We were lucky that the brakes worked and were able to glide over to the shoulder. Computer said engine overheated and it was the red indicator which is the worst. We got towed to a dealership and are told its the water pump. We did have the car serviced at a different dealership 4 days before this happened and told them about a clicking noise from the engine but they didn't hear it so nothing was done. The incident was very scary and makes me not want to drive the car anymore.

Filed Dec 28, 2011 · Engine · 59,500 miles · OH

Tl- the contact owns a 2008 bmw 535. The contact was driving 60 MPH when the vehicle overheated and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the dealer advised the contact that the electrical water pump and thermostat malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. There were no recalls for the failure of the vehicle. The failure mileage was 59,500. Kmj

Filed May 26, 2011 · Engine, Fuel system · 28,700 miles · NJ

Three wks ago my 08 528i was making a rattling sound in the engine, tin-can sounding. Took the car for service & they replaced my lifters and related parts. They said that the lifters are "known" for going bad on the 5 series and it's typically due to seasonal changes. When my husband brought the car home to me I was very upset because the noise was still there, not as loud as before. I called bmw and made another appointment, citing that this problem had not been resolved and it needed to be looked at again. The appointment with a loaner could not be scheduled for another 10 days, so we waited. During those 10 days the vehicle started to take longer to turnover at start up. I would also feel the engine lightly shuttering as I drove at speeds averaging 35-50 miles per hour. Monday 05/23/11 was my requested appointment; however because my 15 mo. Old baby was ill we had to cancel. Thank goodness we did because my car would not have made it the 20 miles of freeway to the dealership. Today, 05/25/11, I made a left out of my neighborhood and as I accelerated approx. 50 yards, my engine bucked (felt like the bottom fell out), I lost speed dramatically. Suddenly, steering became nearly impossible and I was forced to "turn" into a small shopping center. However, I lost ability to steer upon entering the parking lot. My car would respond to nothing but the brakes (thank god those atleast worked). I looked down at my gear shift to attempt to reverse away from the curb and maneuver into a parking space, though my car was thrown into neutral & would not respond to anything but "park". I attempted to startup again but engine wouldn't turn over. It was dead. Within moments my ABS, check eng, and battery lights illuminated & corresponding msgs came onto my communication screen. Car was towed. Awaiting dealership response in the am. After seeing prior complaints, I see someone needs to be fired. The us government needs to step in before people die! Thank god my baby wasn't with me!

Filed May 2, 2011 · Engine · 66,490 miles · MI

Rattle from engine compartment that dissipates once engine warms up. Advised that the turbo chargers are failing and need to be replaced, only 66k miles! Estimated $3k in repair cost!

Filed Jan 24, 2011 · Engine · 22,000 miles · FL

Car check engine light came on, reduced power on dash, and sluggish. Towed car to dealer, replaced spark plugs and high pressure fuel pump. Check engine light came on again, took to dealer, needed pressure sensor. This has occurred 4 times now, dealer states this is ongoing problem with this engine, and have I would have to bring the vehicle in whenever this occurred, no loaner car available. I do not feel safe in the vehicle when this occurs.

Filed Nov 16, 2010 · Engine, Fuel system · 35,000 miles · CA

The car showed engine malfunction sign without warning in middle of busy street. All power, steering, everything went dead without warning. I couldn't move the whatsoever. I was lucky enough to make a right turn before this happened and avoid potential accidents.

Filed Nov 15, 2010 · Engine, Fuel system · 45,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 535xi. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was engaged and the engine began to sputter with an extensive reduction in power. The contact continued with caution and the vehicle was taken to a dealer where they replaced the fuel pressure sensor, spark plugs and performed an oil change. The failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three times in which there were no resolutions. The high pressure pump was replaced on a different occasion. In addition, when encountering a bump in the road and down-shifting from third to second gear, an abnormal clicking noise would occur. Recently, the engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was in the process of being diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. Updated 01/28/11 *bf updated 02/07/11