Page 4 of 5 · complaints 151–200 of 215

2008 BMW X5 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2008 record →

Engine
Filed Oct 29, 2014IL

I HAD ALREADY SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT UNDER 10586821 DUE TO THE RADIATOR BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THAT THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE REASON THAT RADIATOR WENT OUT WAS BECAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION OF THE WATER PUMP WHICH I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE. I WAS TOLD TO AMEND THE COMPLAINT ONCE RECEIVED BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING IN THE MAIL. BMW KNOWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO FIX IT. ALSO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR HAS BEEN ON FOR OVER A YEAR. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE AND HAVE THE AIRBAGS AND SENSORS REPLACE. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF HAVING SOMETHING THAT IS SUPPOSE TO BE FOR SAFETY BUT IT'S MALFUNCTIONING. THEREFORE I HAVE AIRBAGS THAT ARE NOT GOING TO PROTECT ANYONE IN THE COURSE OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS ALSO A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW. THIS IS NOT AN AGE OF CAR ITEM BECAUSE I HAD LESS THAN 40,000 MILES WHEN THE INDICATOR CAME ON. *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 10, 201466,000 milesVA

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 IN PHILADELPHIA PENNSYLVANIA JUST NORTH OF THE AIRPORT MY VEHICLE SIMPLY SHUT OFF IN POST GAME RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AND THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAILED. IT WAS NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE THAT ME AND MY SON WERE NOT HARMED AND THAT WE WERE ABLE TO MUSCLE TO CAR OFF THE ROAD. THIS CAR HAD 66,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND ACCORDING TO BMW, AFTER MY CALL, WAS NOT PART OF THE 2008 X5'S VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THIS MODEL YEAR WITH NORMALLY ASPIRATED IN-LINE 6 CYLINDER ENGINES TO REPLACE THE LOW- PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS. INTERESTINGLY, IN THE BMW PRESS RELEASE DATED OCTOBER 26, 2010 - 1130 AM EDT THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD NOTIFIED THE NTSBA THAT THESE PUMPS FAIL ON MY MAKE AND MODEL OF WHICH THEY RECALLED 20,800 CARS, THE ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING AND THE DRIVER WILL LOSE POWER ASSIST FOR THE STEERING AND BRAKES. WOW, AT 50 MPH ON A SUPER HIGHWAY THAT WAS A NIGHTMARE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 20, 2014105,281 milesMA

I HAD THE LIGHT BULB SENSOR ILLUMINATE IN MY CAR. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALER FOR LIGHT BULB REPLACEMENT. THE REAR PARKING BRAKE LENSES ARE FUSED TO THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT BULBS. THE LIGHT BULB CAN NOT BE REMOVED. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF THIS LENS CATCHING ON FIRE THERE ARE MARKS ON THE LENS COVER THAT SHOWS THIS. I SPOKE TO BMW NORTH AMERICA AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IT COULD CATCH ON FIRE. I CAN NOT REPLACE THE BULB WITHOUT REPLACING BOTH LENSES. MY CAR WILL NOW NOT PASS INSPECTION IN MY STATE DUE TO THIS ISSUE.. *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 17, 201452,000 milesMD

ON A RECENT RIDE HOME FROM VACATION (SUMMER 2014), MY FAMILY AND I HAD TO ENDURE OUR 2008 BMW X5 STALLED OUT AND SLOWED TO ABOUT 30 MPH ON INTERSTATE 95. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS OF A POTENTIAL PROBLEM OR ANY UPCOMING MAINTENANCE NEEDED. THE INFORMATION SCREEN STATED CRUISE CONTROL/ENGINE MALFUNCTION. WE WERE EXTREMELY SURPRISED, OVERLY ALARMED AND FRIGHTENED AS THIS WAS A DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE EVENT. WE WERE NOT USING AND HAVE NEVER USED THE CRUISE CONTROL. MY FAMILY WAS SCARED OF THIS UNSAFE ORDEAL BUT THANK GOD, NO ONE WAS INJURED. AFTER RESEARCHING THESE CONDITIONS, WE FOUND THIS SIMILAR INCIDENT OCCUR TO MANY OTHER X5 BMW OWNERS AND DATE BACK AS FAR AS 2001. THIS THROTTLE BODY DEFECT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND CAN CAUSE BODILY HARM OR DEATH. IF THIS CAR DECREASES IN POWER, ESPECIALLY ON AN INTERSTATE, SERIOUS AND DEADLY ACCIDENTS CAN OCCUR. QUITE INTERESTING IS THAT THIS SAME DIAGNOSIS WAS IDENTIFIED WITH PREVIOUS OWNERS WHO'VE ONLY OWNED THEIR VEHICLES LESS THAN A YEAR. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS AND BMW HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED, RECALLED AND CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. MY 2008 BMW X5 HAS ABOUT 52,000 AND RECEIVE REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON TIME AND AS REQUIRED. MORE IMPORTANT, THE DAY BEFORE THE INCIDENT WE CHECKED THE VEHICLE SYSTEM CHECK AND ALL SYSTEMS WERE "OK." AND TWO DAYS LATER, THE CAR SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING. MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO NORTHWEST BMW IN OWINGS MILLS WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A THROTTLE BODY DEFECT. *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 7, 201450,330 milesVA

THE 2008 X5 3.0L STARTED TO SOUND LIKE A JET ENGINE WITH THE SUPER LOUD FAN NOISE. I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO BLOW UP. TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR, AND LUCKILY THE ENGINE HADN'T OVERHEATED YET. THEY FOUND THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS FAULTY, WHICH CAUSED THE WIRING TO BURN OUT, AND OBSERVED OIL LEAKAGE NEAR ENGINE. IF I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR ANY MORE, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE. BMW SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, AND OTHER PARTS INCLUDING GASKET SOMETHING. THANK YOU. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 5, 201476,660 milesKS

I GET THE SEAT BELT ON LIGHT AND SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THAT BUT WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON. THIS IS ONLY ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. NO PASSENGER BUT LIGHT IS ON WITH THE CHIME AS WELL. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 22, 201482,000 milesLA

MY BMW OCCASIONALLY STALLS AT A LOW SPEED AFTER A BRAKE OR IN A TURN. THE ENGINE IS QUIETLY OFF AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. WHEN I RESTART THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE LIGHT IS OFF AND IT DRIVES NORMAL. IT LOOKS LIKE A MINOR PROBLEM, BUT CAN BE HAZARDOUS. AT ONE TIME, MY CAR STALLED AFTER I MADE A BRAKE AND STARTED TO TURN. SUDDENLY I FEEL THE STEER WHEEL IS LOCKED AND I LOST SOME BRAKE FORCE. I ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE BRICK FENCE AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT WAS REALLY SCARY. I THINK IT COULD BE EVEN MORE DANGEROUS IF IT HAPPEN IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR EXAMPLE, BRAKE BEFORE ENTERING A HIGHWAY, SLOW TURNING ON A BRIDGE. I'VE SENT MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY TRACED NO ERROR AND PROBLEMS, AND ASK ME TO DRIVE UNTIL THE PROBLEM BECOME MORE OBVIOUS. I WOULDN'T DO THIS BECAUSE WITH THIS PROBLEM THE CAR MAY BECOME A KILLING MACHINE FOR MYSELF AND OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. I DO HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME TO CONTACT BMW TO FIND A SOLUTION. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 27, 201477,800 milesGA

RIGHT REAR SUNROOF DRAIN DID NOT DRAIN PROPERLY CAUSING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION INCLUDING FAILURE OF ALL SAFETY AND DASH GAUGES - (INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE) ON INTERSTATE AT FREEWAY SPEED. REPAIRS EXCEED $1,500.00. *TR

Air Bags
Filed May 23, 201479,000 milesLA

WHEN A PEOPLE SEAT ON THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE LIGHT "AIRBAG OF THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OFF" IS ON. AND THE LED PANEL SHOWS "RESTRAIN SYSTEM MALFUNCTION". I GET MY CAR CHECKED AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THIS IS DUE TO THE FAULT OF THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT AND WILL MAKE THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. ACTUALLY, THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN THERE FOR A WHILE BUT ONLY HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY (ONE TIME A MONTH), AND CAN BE SOLVED BY CHANGE SITTING POSITION A LITTLE BIT. WHEN I CHECKED IN THE SERVICE, NOTHING WRONG WAS FOUND. HE SAID THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTS IN OLDER MODELS (E.G. 2005, 2006), WHICH ARE IN THE RECALL LIST OF BMW. BUT MINE IS NOT IN AND I NEED TO PAY $1400 TO GET IT REPAIRED. I THINK THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUE SINCE IT DISABLES THE AIRBAG, WHICH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY EQUIPMENT. MY CAR IS IN A VERY GOOD CONDITION AND SERVICED REGULARLY. THERE IS NO REASON IT FAULTS IN SUCH A LOW MILEAGE AND AGE. MANY USERS IN THE BMW FORUM HAS THE SAME ISSUE, BUT IS UNDER RISK OR GOT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I HOPE BMW CAN TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE TO RECALL THE CARS THAT ARE POTENTIALLY IN RISK. *TR

Engine
Filed May 6, 201446,000 milesIL

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM STORE WHEN THE COOLANT FAN CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. DISPLAY STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVER HEATING AND IF IT CONTINUES TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE. THE NEXT MORNING I TURNED ON THE CAR AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND WAS TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE COULD DAMAGE THE ENGINE. HAD THE CAR TOWED AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE RADIATOR. WAS TOLD THAT BMW RESIGNED THE RADIATOR THERE FOR THE HOSES HAD TO BE DONE OVER. THERE WAS NEVER ANY OTHER INDICATION PRIOR TO THIS. WAS ON MY WAY DRIVING OUT OF TOWN. LOOKED ONLINE AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING WITH ONLY 46,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 21, 201449,000 milesHI

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH A LOUD NOISE STARTED COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, SOUNDED AS IF THE FAN WAS RUNNING AT WARP SPEED. A FEW MILES LATER A WARNING CAME ON STATING ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT, I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ALLOWED IT TO COOL DOWN. AFTER IT COOLED DOWN I DROVE 2 MORE MILES TO MY OFFICE AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO SEND TO BMW DEALERSHIP. BMW INFORMED ME THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP WENT OUT AND NEED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $1400.00. INTERNET SHOWS 38,000 RECALLS OF X-5 FOR WATER PUMP PROBLEM BUT JUST MY LUCK MY CAR IS EXCLUDED. I AM WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM BMW USA REGARDING MY REQUEST TO HAVE ISSUE COVERED. MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 40,000 MILES AND WE HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, THE FUEL PUMP RELAY AND NOW THE WATER PUMP. THIS CAR WAS OVER $70,000 WHEN PURCHASED AND YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 8, 201419,150 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND ENGAGED INTO LIMP MODE. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED AS THE PARKING BRAKE AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED AND THERE WAS AN XDRIVE MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V518000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE ) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,150.

Power Train
Filed Mar 28, 201460,000 milesNJ

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, AROUND 40MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I STARTED TO LOOSE THE POWER TO MY CAR TO THE POINT THAT IT SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND THERE WAS NOTHING WE COULD DO TO START THE CAR TO MOVE IT TO THE SIDE. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO RESET SOME ELECTRONICS AND WAS TOLD ITS A SAFETY ISSUE ON THE CAR. I ASKED THEM TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I WAS ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE OR STATEN ISLAND EXPRESSWAY OR ROUTE 17 IN NJ WHAT WOULD HAPPEN . NO EXPLANATION WELL I CAN EXPLAIN IT . I WOULD PROBABLY BE REAR ENDED AND CAUSE A PILE UP. I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. I WONDER HOW MANY TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED AND THE ACCIDENTS IT HAS CAUSED. *TR

Engine
Filed Mar 20, 201474,000 milesGA

CAR WAS DRIVEN AT 25 MPH. STOPPED AT DESTINATION FOR APPROX 10 MIN. WHEN RESTARTED MADE LOUD BLOWER SOUND BUT KEPT DRIVING AT 25 MPH. AFTER ABOUT 10-15 SECS, MESSAGE CAME THAT " ENGINE IS OVERHEATED AND DRIVE AT MODERATE SPEEDS" . IN ABOUT 10 SECS AFTER THAT, MESSAGE CHANGED TO " ENGINE OVERHEATED, STOP TO LET IT COOL DOWN" . STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HAT CAR BE TOWED TO THEIR GARAGE PROBLEM HAS STILL NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. CAR IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED. *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 30, 201465,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BWI X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEN ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE WOULD RESIST AND FEEL AS IF IT WAS ATTEMPTING TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST SENOR AND FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 3/28/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED IN AUGUST 2013, WITH NO WARNING ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS DETERMINED THE WATER PUMP FAILED. UPDATED 04/22/14

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 2, 201489,000 milesCA

MY CAR IS STOCK INSIDE MY GARAGE WITH A PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION ERROR. THE PARKING BRAKES WILL NOT RELEASE EVEN WHEN I TRIED MANUALLY. I HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I CALLED BMW US BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS TO FIX THIS COMMON PROBLEM WHICH MANY OWNER ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 27, 201352,543 milesTX

THE X5 DISPLAYED A DIGITAL MESSAGE ON THE DASH FRONT PANEL STATING: "LEFT BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTION". I REMOVED THE PANEL WHERE THE BACK TAIL LIGHTS ARE LOCATED AND FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S BRAKE LIGHT PLASTIC CARRIER, WHERE THE BULB SITS, WAS BURNT BROWN, MELTED AND CRACKED OPEN. I THEN PROCEEDED TO CHECK THE PASSENGER SIDE AND TO MY SURPRISE, I FOUND THAT THE SAME EXACT CIRCUMSTANCE HAD HAPPENED. I BELIEVE THE BULB IS TOO HOT AND TOO CLOSE TO THE PLASTIC CARRIER, CAUSING THE MELTING. IN MY OPINION, ON TOP OF MAYBE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT DUE THE MALFUNCTION OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS, IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE, THAT IN THE WORST CASE SCENARIO CAN CAUSE A FIRE. I BELIEVE THIS MATTER SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY THE AGENCY. I CALLED BMW AG, MANUFACTURERS AND THEY REPLIED THAT THEY DON'T HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. I OWE A 528I, 2010 AS WELL, AND I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER LAST WEEK TO TAKE IT BACK FOR, AS THEY STATED > THIS RECALL INVOLVES THE BULB CARRIER ("BULB HOLDER") WITHIN THE REAR LAMP. WITHIN THE BULB CARRIER, THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION DUE TO AGING AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES. I TOOK THE 528I TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND BOTH TAIL LIGHTS BULB CARRIERS WERE REPLACED, DUE TO THE RECALL NOTICE I RECEIVED, SO IT WAS FIXED TO STANDARDS. I TOOK 8 VERY CLEAR PICTURES OF THE MELTED PLASTIC BULB CARRIER OF THE X5, 2008, I CAN SEND YOU IF NEEDED, TO BACK UP MY COMPLAINT. THANKS FOR THE KIND ATTENTION YOU GIVE TO THIS MATTER AND HOPING

Air Bags
Filed Dec 27, 201352,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER HAD TO ORDER THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THERE MONTHS LATER, THE DEALER STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE AIR BAG REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

Exterior LightingFire
Filed Dec 26, 201352,200 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED. THE BULB HOLDER HAD TURNED BLACK AND WAS SLIGHTLY MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,200.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 5, 2013112,000 milesWA

I HAD RECALL SERVICE DONE AT SEATTLE BMW. BRAKE BOOST HOSE REPLACED ON MAY 2013 THEY SAID THEY DON'T HAVE BRAKE BOOSTER PART YET SO THEY GOING TO CALL ME. TODAY I TAKE MY CAR TO SK MOTORSPORT IN BELLINGHAM WA. THEY SAID OIL LEAK ON BRAKE BOOST PUMP. SO I CALLED SEATTLE BMW. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL NWBMW. SO I CALLED THEM THEY SAID THEY DON'T HAVE RECALL SO TOLD ME TO FIX WITH MY MONEY. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 26, 2013101,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ENGINE OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE BRAKE VACUUM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED, HOWEVER WAS SERVICED RECENTLY UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 21, 201346,000 milesVA

I WAS ABOUT LESS THAN 2 MILES AWAY FROM HOME AND I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH. I HEARD A LOUD FAN SOUND AND IN FEW SEC I GOT A MESSAGE IN THE DISPLAY BOARD SAYING ENGINE OVER HEATING DRIVE SLOWLY. AFTER FEW SECONDS ANOTHER MESSAGE SHOWED IN RED THAT ENGINE IS OVER HEATED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE EVEN PRESSING THE PEDAL HARD. THEN I STOPPED THE VEHICLE BY PULLING IT TO THE SIDE AND LET THE ENGINE COOL FOR 15 MIN. THEN I DROVE BACK HOME. WHEN I WAS 50 YARDS AWAY FROM HOME I GOT THOSE TWO MESSAGES BACK ONE AFTER THE OTHER. BUT, I DROVE IT SLOWLY TO THE DRIVE WAY MY HOUSE. THEN I CALLED THE BMW DEALER, LET THE VEHICLED TOWED THEIR AND THE DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS VEHICLE WATER PUMP IS GONE BAD AND IT CAUSED THE OVER HEAT OF THE ENGINE. BECUSE OF THIS THERMO STAT IS ALOS GONE BAD. THERE IS SOME OTHER PART GONE BAD BECAUSE OF THIS BUT I DID NOT REMEBER IT. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT COST ME 1700 TO FIX THE ISSUE. I CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND SEVERAL TENS OF PEOPLE HAD THIS ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY BMW. *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 16, 201360,000 milesWI

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE DISPLAY THE MESSAGE THAT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS TOO HOT AND ADVISE ME TO PULL OVER. WITHIN 2 SECONDS, THE CAR SLOW ITSELF DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC DESPITE MY FOOT WAS PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE BMW AND IT TURN OUT THE WATER PUMP HAD STOP PUMPING WATER TO THE ENGINE, CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT. BMW CHARGED ME $1200 TO FIX IT BIT I FEEL LIKE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE SINCE A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEAL NUMEROUS PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS MINE. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT BMW DID ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL AS MINE BUT ONLY ON THE LESS POPULAR, BIGGER ENGINE VERSION. *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 11, 201391,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CONTINUED TO MOVE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS OFF, AND THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER RESET THE MAIN COMPUTER, REMOVED THE DASHBOARD AND REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD RELAY MODULE; HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURES; THEREFORE, THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 91,000. UPDATED 10/31/13*LJ

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 30, 201380,000 milesWA

AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO A LOCAL SHOP CONWAY MOTORS IN EVERETT, WA. CONWAY MOTORS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FUEL PUMP AND THE WIRING WAS BURNT CONNECTING THE FUEL PUMP. MARK AT CONWAY MOTORS CALLED BMW TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND WAS SURPRISED WHEN BMW PARTS IN SEATTLE STATED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL BUT THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM AND THERE HAD BEEN OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH BURNT WIRING CONNECTED TO THE FUEL PUMP. MARK ADVISED WE COULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND WE WERE LUCKY THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXPLODED. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS VEHICLE DAILY TO WORK AND BMW IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT HAS NOT DONE A RECALL IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND PUT MY WIFE'S LIFE IN DANGER.

Engine
Filed Aug 21, 2013104,000 milesTN

THIS MORNING WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE I NOTICED A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE NEAR THE PULLEYS. IT SOUNDED IF THOUGH SOMETHING WAS COMING A LOOSE. WHEN I GOT OUT TO CHECK IT THE SOUND CLEARED OR TONED DOWN. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM THE WATER PUMP. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY A LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OFF AND CHECKED THE COOLANT LEVEL AND IT WAS IN BETWEEN LOW AND MAX. I FILLED THE COOLANT LEVEL UP TO MAX. THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT REMAINED ON AFTER PARKING IT FOR TWO HOURS. I'M TAKING IT TO THE DEALER IN THE MORNING TO SEE IF ITS WHAT I THINK IT IS, ( THE WATER PUMP ). THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE , I'VE READ TOO MANY COMPLAINTS. CAN ANYBODY HELP ME WITH ANY UPDATED INFO ON THIS? *TR

Engine
Filed Jun 8, 201372,000 milesNM

WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MILES WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ENGINE MALFUNCTION NOTIFICATION, ENGINE OVERHEATED ... TO DRIVE MODERATELY. I PULLED OVER WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND DROVE OFF AGAIN. 5 MINUTES LATER LIGHT COMES BACK UP AND SAYS ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP...CALL FOR SERVICE. CAR NOW IN SHOP. *TR

Engine
Filed Jun 4, 201360,000 milesOH

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APX 65 MPH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, RED INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, AND ENGINE OVERHEATING NOTIFICATION DISPLAYED. VEHICLE SLOWED TO 20MPH AND WOULD NOT DRIVE. AFTER SITTING FOR 20 MINUTES, ATTEMPTED TO RESTART VEHICLE, OVERHEATING MESSAGE STILL PRESENT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SHOP, WHERE DIAGNOSED WITH FAULTY WATER PUMP. CALLED BMW TO NOTIFY THEM OF THE PROBLEM, AND MENTIONED RECALL 11V521000 - OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. INCIDENT HAPPENED AT APX 60K MILES. *TR

Engine
Filed May 30, 201349,324 milesTX

2008 BMW X5 WITH 49K MILES WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON FREEWAY WHEN YELLOW ENGINE OVERHEAT WARNING CAME ON ALONG WITH INSTRUCTION TO DRIVE MODERATELY. AFTER 20 SECONDS, RED ALERT CAME ON INDICATING ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CAR STALLED TO 20 MPH ON BUSY FREEWAY. THE CAR WAS STOPPED ON SIDE OF FREEWAY AND ALLOWED TO COOL DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES. WHEN CAR WAS RESTARTED, SAME WARNINGS CAME ON, AND CAR HAD TO BE STOPPED. THE BREAKDOWN CAUSE WAS DIAGNOSED TO A FAILED WATER PUMP. *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 26, 201372,000 milesTX

WILL IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC, THE YELLOW ENGINE OVERHEAT LIGHT APPEARED. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THAT YELLOW LIGHT TURNED TO RED ENGINE OVERHEAT, TURN OFF THE VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN. I DID MY BEST TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND PULL OVER WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I WAITED NEARLY 2 HOURS BEFORE I COULD GET TOWED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. I HAD THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND THE BMW OF AUSTIN DEALERSHIP ADVISED I WILL NEED A WATER PUMP REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $766!! SINCE MY CAR HAS OVER 50K MILES, I AM OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2010-2011 V8 VERSION OF THE SAME CAR I HAVE FOR THE SAME FAULTY PART--ELECTRIC WATER PUMP. I BELIEVE THIS SAME FAILURE AFFECTS MY 2008 4.8I X5 SAV. PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO HELP THOSE OF US WHO HAVE PUT OUR LIVES AT RISK ON HIGHWAYS WITH THIS SUDDEN WATER PUMP FAILURES. *TR

Engine
Filed Feb 28, 201331,300 milesSD

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON - VEHICLE STALLED ABRUPTLY. AFTER SOME MINUTES WAITING FOR THE CAR TO COOL DOWN, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO A NEARBY PARKING AREA. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FURTHER. CONTACTED NEAREST DEALER WHO WAS 345 MILES AWAY. THEY AGREED TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO GET IT FIXED. THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY WATER PUMP. THE WATER PUMP, COOLANT AND THERMOSTAT WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. WE PAID A DEDUCTIBLE AND THE CAR WAS REPAIRED. JUDGING BY THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THE EXISTING RECALL FOR THE SAME VEHICLE MODEL YEARS 2010-2011, BMW SHOULD EXTEND THE RECALL TO ALL AFFECTED E70 (X5) MODELS INCLUDING THIS 2008 ONE. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE ON WHAT IS CLEARLY A DANGEROUS DEFECT. HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEED, AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED GIVEN THE WAY IT STALLED. *TR

Engine
Filed Feb 19, 201336,494 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH A MESSAGE STATING THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,494. UPDATED 03/20/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE MIGHT BE RELATED TO RECALL CAMPIGN NUMBER 11V-521: ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP. UPDATED 05/08/2013 *JS

Engine
Filed Jan 28, 201328,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V521000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

Engine
Filed Jan 25, 201370,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP AND THE THERMOSTAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Engine
Filed Jan 22, 201347,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Dec 3, 201226,734 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE WATER PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,734.

Engine
Filed Nov 12, 201247,000 milesCO

THE WATER PUMPED FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4 LANE DIVIDED HWY THE VEHICLE IS A 2008 BMW X5 AND ONLY HAS 47000 MILES ON IT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 26, 2012112,000 milesNJ

MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE OUT. BMW HAS INDICATED THAT BOTH SOCKETS HAVE MELTED TO THE POINT THAT THEY CAN'T REMOVE ANYTHING WITHOUT BREAKING THINGS. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME THING AND FIRES HAVE STARTED. WORTH INVESTIGATING! *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Oct 19, 201257,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE PASSENGER RESTRAIN SYSTEM ERROR MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ERROR MESSAGE ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 12, 201227,000 milesMD

VEHICLE IS SHOWING PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE. THE ERROR WAS INTERMITTENT EARLIER DURING THE YEAR I.E IT WILL SHOW UP WHILE DRIVING BUT WILL GO AWAY UPON RESTARTING THE CAR. MY 4 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD EXPIRED IN APRIL 2012. WHEN I HAD TAKEN IT FOR FINAL WARRANTY SERVICE I HAD MENTIONED IT TO THE DEALER (BMW OF ROCKVILLE) BUT AT THAT TIME THEY SAID THAT NOTHING IS WRONG SINCE VEHICLE DIAGNOSES IS NOT SHOWING ANYTHING. NOW WITHIN 5 MONTHS THIS FAILURE IS PERMANENT AND DEALER IS ASKING $454 FOR REPAIR - WHAT A PIECE OF GARBAGE THIS CAR IS. NEVER AGAIN AM I BUYING A BMW. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 13, 201262,186 milesVA

A BRAKE LAMP MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH BOARD FOR, AT FIRST THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHT, THEN LATER THE RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT. I OPENED THE PANEL TO REPLACE THE BULBS ONLY TO FIND THAT IN BOTH SIDES, THE BRAKE LIGHT HOUSINGS WERE MELTED BECAUSE THE BULBS WERE SO HOT. THE TAILLIGHT HOUSING WERE BURNED BLACK AND MELTED. THIS WAS LESS THAN AN INCHES FROM THE ELECTRICAL WIRING. I WAS SURPRISED THERE WASN'T A FIRE INSIDE BOTH PANELS. AS GOODWILL, AND TO RETAIN MY LOYALTY, BMW OF ALEXANDRIA REPLACED BOTH AT NO CHARGE. EACH ASSEMBLY COST $500, AND I NEEDED TWO. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CHECK TO ENSURE THIS IS NOT HAPPENING IN THEIR CAR BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. *TR

Engine
Filed Jun 12, 201254,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND LOST POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES BEFORE THE CONTACT HAD REACHED HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE WATER PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Apr 30, 2012TX

I WAS DRIVING UNDER HEAVY RAIN ON APRIL 20, 2012 IN HOUSTON, TX. I FIRST SAW ENGINE OVERHEATING WARNING SIGN ON THE DASH AND THEN MISTY SMOKE CAME OUT UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND DROVE TO A NEARBY REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY WATER PUMP. I HAD A FRIEND WHO HAS A 2008 BMW X5 AND RECENTLY HAD THE SAME ISSUE. WE BELIEVE THAT RECALL #11V521000 THAT CONCERNS ONLY 2010-2011 BMW X5 NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO X5S OF EARLIER YEARS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR *JS

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 30, 201252,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A LOUD FAN NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS.THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 8, 201265 milesMD

I WAS LEFT STRANDED ON THE 695 BALTIMORE BELTWAY AFTER MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED AN OVER-HEATING SIGNAL IN MY DASH. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND A RED "ENGINE OVERHEATED" SIGNAL APPEARED ON MY DASH AND I WAS ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE LESS THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR TO MOVE TO SAFETY (IN THE MIDST OF MANY CARS FLYING BY ME DOING WELL OVER 65 MPH). VERY SCARY SITUATION. THE OTHER SCARY SITUATION IS THAT I AM 3,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE AND I FEEL THAT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY REPORTED INCIDENT OF THIS TYPE, BMW SHOULD REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT NO COST TO ME. A PART SUCH AS THIS SHOULD NOT FAIL AT 53000 MILES. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 28, 201269,000 milesCA

THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE SIGNALS A MALFUNCTION AND THE DEALER QUOTED $1,600 TO FIX. THERE IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW IN THIS NEW FEATURE - AN ELECTRONIC BRAKE - ON THE BMW X5 2008. TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT RELEASE; THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR RE-PROGRAMMING. NOW, THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE IS NOT WORKING AND BMW WANTS TO CHARGE TO FIX THE BRAKE. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PARKING BRAKE FAIL AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING SINCE 1976; CLEARLY BMW HAS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THEIR ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE. I RECOMMEND THAT THE NHTSB INVESTIGATE THE ISSUES RELATED TO THE BMW ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE AND TAKE THE NECESSARY ACTIONS TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER. *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 15, 201135,846 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN DIRECTLY TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE ALL OF THE POWER STEERING MECHANISMS WERE REINSTALLED BUT AGAIN, THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF DIAGNOSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,846.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Aug 8, 201152,000 milesTX

CAR OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AND ONBOARD COMPUTER DISABLED THE ACCELERATOR AND MESSAGE WAS FLASHED FOR THE OPERATOR TO STOP DRIVING. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Jul 13, 2011MA

2008 BMW X5. CONSUMER STATES ENGINE LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HER DAUGHTER WHO WAS DRIVING, ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, BUT TO NO AVAIL. AS SHE STEERED THE VEHICLE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE, THE ENGINE WAS NON-RESPONSIVE. THE GEAR SHIFTED AUTOMATICALLY INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN INTO PARK FROM WHICH IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. AN INSPECTION REVEALED FAILURE OF THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF A NATIONWIDE RECALL. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Apr 14, 2011CA

2008 BMW X5 3.0SI. ATTORNEY WRITES ON BEHALF OF CLIENT IN REGARDS TO INCOMPETENT REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. PURSUANT TO A VOLUNTARY NATIONAL BMW RECALL, THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL DELIVERY UNIT ON THE VEHICLE. EIGHT DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AT TRYING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AS IT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. A BMW TECHNICIAN CAME TO THE CONSUMERS LOCATION AND HIS INSPECTION REVEALED AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM. THE EXACT ISSUE THAT THE DEALER HAD SUPPOSEDLY ADDRESSED A WEEK PRIOR. THE GAS GAUGE SHOWED THE GAS LEVEL AT A LITTLE UNDER HALF A TANK, WHEN IN FACT THE VEHICLE HAD RAN OUT OF GAS. APPARENTLY, THE LEVEL FLOAT WAS STUCK ON THE TANK SIPHON WHICH OBSTRUCTED A PROPER READING OF HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN THE TANK. *JB

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2008 BMW X5 → · Every X5 year → · How the figures are calculated →