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2008 BMW X5 engine problems

81 complaints (38% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 70,000.

owner complaints
81
of this car's complaints
38%
typical mileage
70,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Engine: other fuel types: turbo/supercharger
    1
  • Cooling system
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

BMW X5 engine problems in other years

200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 BMW X5 engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Overheating 28Stalling 26Check engine light 15Loss of power 9

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)Reported October 30, 2017 · 740,561 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk
An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 17V683000 · Recall details

What 2008 BMW X5 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 5, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 147,644 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that two minutes later the instrument panel went blank. The contact stated that the infotainment system failed to display an image and a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 147,644.

Filed Nov 17, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · PA · fire

X5 was off, parked and the engine compartment burst into flames. Car was totaled There was apparently a recall issues in 2022 in which I was unaware and had no direct contact from the BMW dealer I purchased it from. The recall states that in some vehicles, this part could cause a fire. Well, I had a fire and there was zero indication of anything wrong with the car.

Filed Jul 11, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · OR

My 2008 BMW X5 was taken to a shop to be diagnosed due to Diagnosis as followed:( low coolant light coming on) “coolant crossover pipe from timing belt cover leaking” it is available for inspection, although it is not safe to drive. The low coolant light went off after I put more in it and did not come back on. Me and my then 10 month old were picking my 14 year old up from school and I noticed smoke pouring out of the hood. There was no warning lights or anything. Then the air conditioner started to blow smoke out as well. I cut the car off and it continued to smoke for approximately an hour. The car was about to catch on fire with no warning lights and the hazardous smoke out of the vents. The problem was diagnosed by Dan’s Auto Center. I can not move my car because it will smoke at the engine and cause a fire risk. The low coolant sensor came on a few days after purchased. I took it to get it diagnosed and the cost from that place quoted approximately 3,000 dollars. I put coolant in it and did not drive it for awhile. The sensor went off and the coolant was still full. There were no signs, no sensor, no overheating, just all the sudden huge clouds of smoke coming from my hood of the car. BMW has a lot of recalls for this same situation, but my car (year) is not listed.I do not understand this. Please add my car to the list, this is a 2000 to 3000 job and I have to get my car towed to a place if I ever can. Can I take this to a BMW Place and ask them to fix due to other recalls? This was very scary for me and my children. “The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles, a melting intake manifold, and potentially fire,”according to BMW.

Filed Mar 20, 2023 · Engine · 167,964 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, she noticed an abnormally strong burning plastic odor inside the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact stated that she had stopped driving the vehicle. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 167,964. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Jan 4, 2023 · Engine · 115,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that she started to notice a burning odor throughout the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Filed Dec 23, 2022 · Engine · NJ

Open recall since March of 2022, no remedy yet still available

Filed Dec 11, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · TN · fire

On 12/10/2022 I was driving to work and my BMW started smelling of like electrical fire. I pulled over on a exit in Sweetwater, TN and upon exiting the vehicle I noticed flames under the hood of the car. The car was on fire somewhere in the engine. A passerbuyer stopped and called 911 for me Christianburg, TN fire Dept. done the report. But BMW has a recall on this vehicle for over 1yr with no remedy to fix knowing the car can catch on fire. Luckily I was not injured but I suffered a total loss from my vehicle. Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (pcv) the federal safety agency CAMPAIGN ID: 22V119000 Report Date: Mar 02, 2022 Consequence: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked. What You Should Do: This recall supersedes and expands previous the federal safety agency recalls 17V‑683 and 19V‑273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous the federal safety agency recalls 17V‑683 and 19V‑273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417. Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X

Filed Nov 18, 2022 · Engine · GA

when cold car will hesitate to start.

Filed Oct 18, 2022 · Engine · 152,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, there was a plastic smell while the heater was in use. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Sep 4, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · TX

This car is not safe to drive, when you accelerate lots of black smoke come from tail pipe and loose power at the same time, Its burning through spark plugs Im having to change them at least every 2 wks plugs cost 15$ a piece, Its burning through oil oil leaks popping up random all over every 2 weeks its burning through 5 quarts of oil ,oil is 18$ a quart, Do to the lose of power i have to take the access roads to and from work. Its causing me to miss a lot of work Im afraid for my wife and kids to be in the car with me its just not safe we got the letter from BMW 2 months ago about the recall what is considered a timely manner because 2 months is a ling time we need this resolved asap bmw just giving us the run arounds verses solving this issue. This car has been riding this unsafe way for at least 6 months and its getting worst by the day, its costing us to much money plus lose of work

Questions about the 2008 BMW X5 engine

Does the 2008 BMW X5 have engine problems?

Owners have filed 81 complaints about the engine of the 2008 BMW X5, 38% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2008 BMW X5 engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 70,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2008 BMW X5 engine?

Yes, 1 recall: 17V683000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the BMW X5 have bad engine?

The BMW X5 model years with the most engine complaints are 2011 (118 complaints), 2012 (104 complaints) and 2008 (81 complaints).

Other 2008 BMW X5 problems

Airbags 65Fuel system 41Electrical 35Brakes 16Transmission 16Lights 11Acceleration 8Seat belts 6Visibility 5Driver assistance 3Seats 3Suspension 3Steering 2Tires 2Body 1

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