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2008 BMW 535I problems

The most common problem on the 2008 BMW 535I is engine and cooling, typically around 81,068 miles. It has 1.4 times the complaints of a typical 535I model year.

Typical year1.4x the typical complaints
Year score
64/100
Owner complaints
74
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
66
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
20mpg

The worst 2008 BMW 535I problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 BMW 535I

Loss of power 14Overheating 11Headlights 9Fuel pump 7Stalling 7Check engine light 5

Recalls 1

Exterior lighting: tail lightsReported September 11, 2013 · 134,100 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. 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 more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
Risk
Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1‑800‑525‑7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

Recall number 13V407000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2008 BMW 535I

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 BMW 535I 66

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 66 bulletins for the 2008 BMW 535I

2008 BMW 535I fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.0L 6‑cylRWD172620

What 2008 BMW 535I owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 1, 2023 · NV

here is wisdom; traffic circles; eliminate collisions 98% cut pollution fossil fuels & signal electricity 98%; cut manhour prevailing wages 98% employee med sick vac and retirement 98% and equipment maintenance 98% yes 98% of wasted taxpayer revenue allotted to traffic signal intersections can begin to be wasted elsewhere for polititians hold fast to unearned income , a revelation uncle sams ears might be pricked or at least itch !!!! almighty saved the best for last MOTHER NATURE yes BLUE EARTH even GODS FOOTSTOOL and HEAVEN above will rejoice with all the beasts and things of the 12 stars on the womans' crown that is the ZODIAC;begin @ spring equinox 12 day n night MARCH 21-APRIL 20 aries RAM 1st. then 4-21 to may 20 taurus BULL 5-21 to june 20 gemini TWINS/summer solstice that is 15 day 9 nite 6-21 to july 20 cancer CRAB//7-21 to august 20 leo LION 8-21 to sept 20 virgo VIRGIN/autumn equinox 12 night and day 9-21 to oct 20 libra SCALES 10-21 to nov20 scorpio SCORPION 11-21 to dec 20 saggitarius ARCHER /winter solstice 9 day 15 nite12-21 to jan 20 capricorn GOAT 1-21 to feb 20 aquarius WATER 2-21 to march 20 pisces FISHES. the end!@#$%^&*() I DIGRESSED sorry

Filed Oct 2, 2021 · Airbags, Seats · MI

The vehicle front passenger seat sensor MAT (SRS) failure. This is a safety-related issue. The same item was recalled for prior years' models. A recall should issued be for this model and and year.

Filed Feb 24, 2021 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 97,000 miles · FL

Hpfp is going bad engine light comes on long crank start

Filed Nov 4, 2020 · Engine · 138,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 535i. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH, when warning message of "engine hot and drive moderately" was illuminated on the instructional panel. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and then saw smoke exiting the front passenger side of the hood. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with a bottle of water she had in hand. No fire or police report was filed. The contact was currently waiting to have the vehicle towed to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired as of yet. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 138,000.

Filed Sep 21, 2020 · 155,400 miles · GA

Copious amounts of smoke are released upon start and now it smokes even worse no matter what. It used to stop but not anymore. So many people have a problem with this. I noticed my car couldn't accelerate and then smoke started coming everywhere and then it ran ok but as soon as I got home my car smoked and smoked so much I was barely able to get into a spot

Filed Mar 18, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 145,000 miles · CA

I was driving home stopped at a red light , then turned green went to accelerate car took off and lost all power would not move pressing accelerator and 2 semi trucks coming real fast from cross traffic almost killed me light turned red for me and green for semi trailers with no time to exit car.

Filed Mar 6, 2020 · Engine · 200,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 5351. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The contact was informed of a misfire cylinder # 2. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was contacted and stated the vehicle was not subjected to a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Jun 29, 2019 · Airbags, Seat belts · CA

The north american bmw had recalled the 2004-2006 bmws with the faulty passenger seat occupancy mat, as they had a recurring problem of failing. Bmw stated that they "improved the quality of materials, and fixed the problem", but it seems that other bmw owners still have the same problem including myself. My bmw about 4 months ago had the passenger seat occupancy warning light come on, and I am very disappointed that they "fixed" the issue, but most likely instead of actually taking the time to improve their product, they probably just slapped a new label on it and called it a day. And what even more annoying is the cost of replacement parts, which alone cost upwards of $900. You would think that for $900 the past wouldn't have a propensity to break. The newer models that still have this problem should be covered under recall or at least have a reduced price to compensate for the poor craftsmanship of a product known to fail.

Filed Mar 7, 2019 · Acceleration · 65,000 miles · CA

Car reduced power, shakes and will not run anymore. Is so unsafe to be driving this specially in the fwy very scary.

Filed Oct 20, 2018 · Engine · 131,000 miles · CA

Driving if freeway 65 MPH, all the sudden car stalled lost power I drove it off the freeway the steering wheel was very hard to turn, try to startup the car did not start called aaa for tow truck after 15 min I start the car, start fined and no problem, to bmw USA made appointment with bmw dealer 4 days later was available for service, the day before my appointment, after dropped my daughter the car stalled in middle of the street cause bad traffic called tow truck again waited after 15 min started everything was fined but I tow it to bmw dealer to check it. Idrive should fuel pump once flashed. This is very dangerous .

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Compare the 2008 BMW 535I

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Questions about the 2008 BMW 535I

Is the 2008 BMW 535I reliable?

Owners have filed 74 complaints about the 2008 BMW 535I, 1.4 times a typical 535I model year.

What is the 2008 BMW 535I year score?

The 2008 BMW 535I scores 64 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 535I: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 BMW 535I?

Engine and cooling, with 27 complaints, typically around 81,068 miles. Next is lights (16).

How many recalls does the 2008 BMW 535I have?

1 recall, covering exterior lighting.

What year does the BMW 535I have bad engine?

The BMW 535I model years with the most engine complaints are 2011 (41 complaints), 2009 (28 complaints) and 2008 (27 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2008 BMW 535I get?

Official estimates for the 2008 BMW 535I range from 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 17 city and 26 highway.

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