2008 BMW 5 Series: misfire or rough idle

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 Sep 13, 2010 · Engine · 17,641 miles · FL

Engine malfunction -- reduced power and then the car either reduces power or dies completely. Also, cold engine rough start and rough idle. To date, fuel injectors were replaced, where upon it was recommended that I no longer buy sam's club 93 octane gas but a "name brand." I did -- problem re-occurred on july 24, 2010, out of the blue without warning, this time with my 6 year old in the car on a highway. I was able to get over to the right shoulder of the road without incident, and turn off the engine, wait a few moments and restart. The bmw dealer has had my car since late july, and have now replaced one of the turbos in the engine. I am hoping nobody has to die before bmw is asked to recall n54 engine bmw's or buy back the ones they have sold. The dealership has recommended that I write a complaint to bmw north america. I will. There is also a petition going -- http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?fixpump which I think will give you some idea about the scope of the problem. I do not have the old parts. Thank you. '

Filed Apr 26, 2010 · Fuel system · 38,202 miles · NC

While driving at highway speed, the car began to run very roughly. A warning light and warning message appeared, indicating that there was an engine problem. We pulled off the highway and into a parking lot. We stopped the engine, waited a few minutes and restarted the car. The car continued to run roughly but there was no warning light or message. We continued on to our destination (shopping). When we finished our shopping, I started the car and it continued to run roughly and the same warning light and message appeared. I wanted to drive the car to the dealer for service but when I pulled out of the parking space the car stalled. I restarted the car, drove it about 100 feet into another parking lot and had the car towed to the dealer. When I described the problem at the dealership, a service rep indicated that they thought it was the fuel pump. I heard that this has been a recurring problem. The dealer was not able to replace the pump without getting authorization from bmw because bmw had has so many fuel pump problems. A failure at highway speed that would cause the car to stall is a dangerous condition.

Filed Jul 20, 2009 · Fuel system · 22,000 miles · VA

2008 bmw 535i, with sport package with 3.0 ltr twin turbo engine. Twice since purchasing new on 1 august 2008 the "engine malfunction-reduced power" warning appeared. In both cases warning light disappeared after driving between 25 and 40 miles as did the lack of power. Car also occasionally starts with rough idle that disappears within less than a minute. Car is in the shop now for the first time and initial reports show record of "misfire" event. Issue could be very dangerous if it happens at a very inopportune time such as when acceleration is required to safely blend into traffic. Needs definitive fix immediately! Multiple complaints on line in many forums suggest that fix is not yet available from bmw. Perhaps a redesigned high pressure fuel pump is required vice a replacement with one of the current design.

Filed Nov 11, 2008 · Engine, Fuel system · 600 miles · CA

I have a 2008 bmw 535i with sport package and premium package. I have had an "engine malfunction/reducing horsepower" issue with this car 3 times since purchasing it in august 2008. The first incident occurred within 3 weeks of delivery and only 600 miles. The second incident happened about a month later with approx 1500 miles; and the third incident occurred on 11/3/08 with approximately 2200 miles. Bmw says each time that it's a misfire in one of the cylinders - but that they do not know how to fix it. So each time they reset the computer and send me away. This is a very dangerous situation. I drive on california freeways most of the time and when this engine malfunction occurs, the car starts "limping" and missing and I have to slow and pull to the side of busy, busy freeways that are very dangerous. Bimmerfest forum shows that there are lots of owners of the bmw 535i having this same problem - but bmw will not address the issue...... Each time the problem occurs, the bmw dealer asks me what kind of gas I'm using - and it's always been 91 octane. Then they ask me what brand - which is chevron, though I didn't realize the brand of gas would be a problem in modern day cars. This is a very dangerous situation to be occurring on the california freeway system, not to mention any freeway system given the speeds at which people drive and the danger of power loss in the middle of traffic and having to pull over on very small shoulders where other cars pass at high rates of speed within only a foot or two of my car when the engine malfunctions.

Filed Nov 10, 2008 · Engine · 2,500 miles · NY

Driving on the highway and the engine started to run rough. This is the second time this has occurred. The first time this happened was in july and brought it to dealer and could not find problem. Second time I had car towed and said it was faulty ignition coil. Replaced and seems ok now, but every so often it runs rough for a few moment.

Filed Nov 5, 2008 · Fuel system · 5,000 miles · KS

2008 bmw 535xi wagon. Engine misfiring/losing power at highway speeds. Dealer first reset computer..happened again. Dealer replaced fuel pump..happened again. Dealer replaced a cylinder injector....good so far.