Total Complaints
34 filings
BMW X5 SAV · model year
34 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2008BMWX5 SAV carries 34 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 X5 SAV is air bags with 9 filings, followed by engine (4) and electrical system (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2008 X5 SAV. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
34 filings
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 9 |
| ENGINE | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4 |
| SEATS | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
BMW is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 X5 SAV vehicles, manufactured September 12, 2006, through March 18, 2010 and equipped with an 8-cylinder engine. The brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil into the hose. The contamination could result in a loss of power assist br
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons,
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
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);
BWW HAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ITS SEAT SENSOR MAT. THESE SENSORS ARE CRITICAL TO THE SAFETY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. BMW HAS ONLY ISSUED RECALLS FOR SELECT MODEL OF ITS VEHICLE ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. IT HAS FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AFFECTING ALL OF ITS VEHICLES ACROSS YEARS AND MODELS. I BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ACT TO FORCE BMW TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. HUMAN LIVES ARE BEING PUT IN DANGER. THANK YOU.
Mileage: 61,250
BWW HAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ITS SEAT SENSOR MAT. THESE SENSORS ARE CRITICAL TO THE SAFETY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. BMW HAS ONLY ISSUED RECALLS FOR SELECT MODEL OF ITS VEHICLE ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. IT HAS FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AFFECTING ALL OF ITS VEHICLES ACROSS YEARS AND MODELS. I BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ACT TO FORCE BMW TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. HUMAN LIVES ARE BEING PUT IN DANGER. THANK YOU.
Mileage: 61,250
BWW HAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ITS SEAT SENSOR MAT. THESE SENSORS ARE CRITICAL TO THE SAFETY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. BMW HAS ONLY ISSUED RECALLS FOR SELECT MODEL OF ITS VEHICLE ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. IT HAS FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AFFECTING ALL OF ITS VEHICLES ACROSS YEARS AND MODELS. I BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ACT TO FORCE BMW TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. HUMAN LIVES ARE BEING PUT IN DANGER. THANK YOU.
Mileage: 61,250
TAKATA RECALL I CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA LAST YEAR TO COMPLAIN ABOUT NOT RECEIVING A REPLACEMENT AIRBAG FOR MY 2008 BMW X5 3.0 SI. THEY TOLD ME IT WILL BE AVAILABLE TOWARDS THE END OF SUMMER 2016. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION OF ITS AVAILABILITY UP TO NOW (LATE FALL 2017). I THINK THEY COMPLETELY IGNORED MY COMPLAINT. THE CATASTROPHIC RISK STILL EXISTS WITH MY CAR. I NEED NHTSA'S ASSISTANCE FOR BMW TO ACT ON THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE WAITED FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AND STILL NO ACTION FROM BMW.
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE REPLACE MY KEY FOB TWO TIME IN ONE YEAR EACH TIME IT COST ME $275.00 BY BMW WHY CAN'T BMW REPLACE THE KEY WITH A $2.00 LIKE ALL ITS OTHER MODELS. ONLY THE 2008 MODELS COST THAT MUCH
ENGINE SUDDENLY OVERHEATS DUE TO DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP AND SHUTS DOWN QUICKLY. OVER HEAT WARNING CAME ON A FEW SECONDS BEFORE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY DERATED AND WENT TO IDLE. VERY DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF HARMS WAY WITH NO ACCELERATION AT ALL. ONLY 37,700 ON VEHICLE. BMW OWNERS REPORTING HIGH FREQUENCY OF PREMATURE WATER PUMP FAILURES. REPAIRS COST $1,499 WITH ADDITIONAL TOWING CHARGES OF $285. THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMPS HAVE POOR QUALITY PLASTIC IMPELLERS. BMW SHOULD RECALL THIS COSTLY REPAIR DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. MY FAMILY AND I WERE STRANDED FOR HOURS WAITING ON A TOW DURING UNSAFE CONDITIONS.
Mileage: 37,700
WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION CODE COMES ON AND VEHICLE INSTANTLY LOSES POWER. ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED ON HIGHWAY SEVERAL TIMES.SPENT 1000 RECENTLY ON TRANSMISSION PARTS. RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A SOFT WARE ISSUE AND BMW HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED ALTHOUGH THOUSANDS OF REPORTS HAVE BEEN FILED-SOME BY OWNERS WITH ONLY 1000 MILES ON THEM THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT BMW HAS IGNORED.
Mileage: 85,000
WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION CODE COMES ON AND VEHICLE INSTANTLY LOSES POWER. ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED ON HIGHWAY SEVERAL TIMES.SPENT 1000 RECENTLY ON TRANSMISSION PARTS. RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A SOFT WARE ISSUE AND BMW HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED ALTHOUGH THOUSANDS OF REPORTS HAVE BEEN FILED-SOME BY OWNERS WITH ONLY 1000 MILES ON THEM THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT BMW HAS IGNORED.
Mileage: 85,000
WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION CODE COMES ON AND VEHICLE INSTANTLY LOSES POWER. ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED ON HIGHWAY SEVERAL TIMES.SPENT 1000 RECENTLY ON TRANSMISSION PARTS. RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A SOFT WARE ISSUE AND BMW HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED ALTHOUGH THOUSANDS OF REPORTS HAVE BEEN FILED-SOME BY OWNERS WITH ONLY 1000 MILES ON THEM THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT BMW HAS IGNORED.
Mileage: 85,000
TAKATA RECALL. I WAS NOTIFIED OVER A YEAR AGO, SINCE HAVE BROUGHT IN MY CAR TWICE FOR SERVICE. DEALER SAYS THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR ME YET. I AM CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY.
"TAKATA RECALL" AIRBAGS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED NOR SERVICED. RECALL CAMPAIGN 13V-045: INSPECT BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY LINE. INVOLVES THE E70 (X5) WITH THE N62TU ENGINE PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 2006 TO MARCH 2010. SI B34 04 13 (LABOR OPERATION 00 61 028)- BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY LINE WAS REPLACED IN JULY 2013 AT BMW HAWAI'I ... REQUESTING SAFETY RECALL REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR LABOR OPERATIONS 00 61 029 AND SUBLET CODE 4. DUE TO BRAKE BOOSTER 'TOTAL FAILURE'. VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO SLIGHTLY MOVE FORWARD WITH BRAKE PEDDLE FULLY PRESSED. VEHICLE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH BRAKE PEDDLE FULLY PRESSED WHEN VEHICLE IS PLACED IN DRIVE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO TRAVEL UPHILL OR DOWN HILL BECAUSE VEHICLE WILL NOT REMAIN STATIONARY WITH BRAKE FULLY PRESSED. OWNER UNAWARE OF BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE DUE TO HAVING NO KNOWLEDGE OF BRAKE MECHANICS. ANNOTATED TOTAL FAILURE OF BRAKE BOOSTER AND POSSIBLE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. SI B34 04 13 - IF A PRIOR REPAIR WAS PERFORMED- APPLICABL
"TAKATA RECALL" AIRBAGS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED NOR SERVICED. RECALL CAMPAIGN 13V-045: INSPECT BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY LINE. INVOLVES THE E70 (X5) WITH THE N62TU ENGINE PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 2006 TO MARCH 2010. SI B34 04 13 (LABOR OPERATION 00 61 028)- BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY LINE WAS REPLACED IN JULY 2013 AT BMW HAWAI'I ... REQUESTING SAFETY RECALL REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR LABOR OPERATIONS 00 61 029 AND SUBLET CODE 4. DUE TO BRAKE BOOSTER 'TOTAL FAILURE'. VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO SLIGHTLY MOVE FORWARD WITH BRAKE PEDDLE FULLY PRESSED. VEHICLE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH BRAKE PEDDLE FULLY PRESSED WHEN VEHICLE IS PLACED IN DRIVE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO TRAVEL UPHILL OR DOWN HILL BECAUSE VEHICLE WILL NOT REMAIN STATIONARY WITH BRAKE FULLY PRESSED. OWNER UNAWARE OF BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE DUE TO HAVING NO KNOWLEDGE OF BRAKE MECHANICS. ANNOTATED TOTAL FAILURE OF BRAKE BOOSTER AND POSSIBLE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. SI B34 04 13 - IF A PRIOR REPAIR WAS PERFORMED- APPLICABL
"TAKATA RECALL" AIRBAGS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED NOR SERVICED. RECALL CAMPAIGN 13V-045: INSPECT BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY LINE. INVOLVES THE E70 (X5) WITH THE N62TU ENGINE PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 2006 TO MARCH 2010. SI B34 04 13 (LABOR OPERATION 00 61 028)- BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY LINE WAS REPLACED IN JULY 2013 AT BMW HAWAI'I ... REQUESTING SAFETY RECALL REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR LABOR OPERATIONS 00 61 029 AND SUBLET CODE 4. DUE TO BRAKE BOOSTER 'TOTAL FAILURE'. VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO SLIGHTLY MOVE FORWARD WITH BRAKE PEDDLE FULLY PRESSED. VEHICLE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH BRAKE PEDDLE FULLY PRESSED WHEN VEHICLE IS PLACED IN DRIVE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO TRAVEL UPHILL OR DOWN HILL BECAUSE VEHICLE WILL NOT REMAIN STATIONARY WITH BRAKE FULLY PRESSED. OWNER UNAWARE OF BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE DUE TO HAVING NO KNOWLEDGE OF BRAKE MECHANICS. ANNOTATED TOTAL FAILURE OF BRAKE BOOSTER AND POSSIBLE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. SI B34 04 13 - IF A PRIOR REPAIR WAS PERFORMED- APPLICABL
TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION BY MAIL FROM BMW THAT MY VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S FRONT AIRBAGS WILL BE REPLACED. I RECEIVED THE LETTERS IN MARCH 2016 (RECALL CAMPAIGN # 16V-071) AND JULY 2016 (CAMPAIGN RECALL # 16V-364). I CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA REGARDING THESE RECALLS AND I WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULD BE RECEIVE A LETTER OF THE AVAILABILITY OF THE REPLACEMENT PARTS TOWARDS THE END OF SUMMER 2016. WE ARE APPROACHING THE START OF SUMMER 2017 AND I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM BMW REGARDING THIS MATTER. I DO NOT KNOW IF BMW IS STILL GOING TO FIX THIS DEFECT. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT MATTER THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
TAKATA RECALL. BMW NORTH AMERICA AND MY LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP IN IRVINE, CALIFORNIA HAVE NOT PROVIDED OPTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION WHILE WAITING FOR PARTS TO BECOME AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE AIR BAG REPLACEMENT. *TR
ON SEPTEMBER 2, AROUND MIDNIGHT, AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AT THE BORDER, MY 2008 BMW SAV X5 AWD 4DR 3.0I COUGHED, CHOKED, STOPPED AND REFUSED TO BE REVIVED. WE WERE AT THE FRONT OF A LONG LINE OF FOLKS HEADING THROUGH CUSTOMS INTO CANADA. YES, AT THE HEAD OF THE LINE. IT WAS SO EMBARRASSING! AFTER FUSSING FOR ANOTHER 30 MINUTES TRYING TO GET IT INTO NEUTRAL, SEVERAL ABLE BODIED CANADIAN CUSTOMS OFFICERS PUSHED IT INTO THEIR COUNTRY. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER CAME ANOTHER 40 MINUTES LATER AND TOOK US TO A BMW SERVICE SHOP IN MONTREAL. SIRS, WHAT'S SO HARD TO SWALLOW ABOUT THIS BREAKDOWN IS THAT WE COMPLETED THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE SERVICE ON THE CAR JUST 7 DAYS BEFORE AT NEW COUNTRY BMW IN HARTFORD, CT. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A NEGLIGIBLE OIL LEAK THAT THEY SAID WAS NO PROBLEM, I WAS ASSURED THAT MY CAR WAS FINE. BUT, IT TURNS OUT THAT IT WAS NOT; AND LIKE AN INCREASINGLY LARGE NUMBER OF BMWS, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. WHAT'S MORE, IT IS CLEAR TO ME NOW THAT, BACK I
Mileage: 118,000
I OPENED THE DRIVERS SIDE PANEL TO REPLACE THE BULBS BUT FOUND THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING WAS BURNED AND MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER LOOKING OVER OTHER LIGHTENING COMPLAINTS, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2008 BMW X5 AND A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY BMW BEFORE THERE ARE ANY FIRES AS A RESULT OF THE DEFECTIVE TAIL LIGHT HOUSING
Mileage: 61,000
AFTER PARKING SUV, DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK/OPEN WITH DOUBLE PULL, HOWEVER, USING UNLOCK BUTTON (UNLOCKS ALL DOORS) DOOR WILL UNLOCK. IN AN ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY ONE INVOLVING FIRE, THIS COULD BE A FATAL SAFETY ISSUE. WORKED FINE UP UNTIL YESTERDAY, NOW IT WON'T UNLOCK; MADE THREE TRIPS IN THE VEHICLE YESTERDAY AND THE ISSUE OCCURRED ALL THREE TIMES AFTER PARKING.
Mileage: 70,806
THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS MOUNTED IN THE TAILGATE FAILED. THIS IS DUE TO A KNOWN FAULT ON THE E70 MODEL, WHERE THE POOR QUALITY SEALANT AND METHOD USED TO PREVENT THE INGRESS OF WATER INTO THE LAMP HOUSING FAILS. THIS LEADS TO CORROSION OF THE CONNECTOR HOUSINGS AND THE FAILURE OF THE UNIT WHICH MUST BE REPLACED IN ITS ENTIRITY AT GREAT COST. AS BMW ARE AWARE OF THIS HAPPENING (INDEED THEY ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ADMITTING SAME ) SI B 63 11 10 AND THE ITEM IS A SAFETY COMPONENT, I FEEL THE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE WORK UNDERTAKEN AT THE COST OF BMW AND NOT THE UNFORTUNATE OWNERS. THEY SHOULD AT THE VERY LEAST, REPLACE THE SEALS WITH THE UPDATED ITEM (A NEOPRENE GASKET RATHER THAN SOMETHING RESEMBLING BATHROOM CAULK) AT THE NEXT SHEDULED SERVICE BEFORE THE DRIVER FINDS THEMSELVES WITH TWO FAILED BRAKE LIGHT UNITS?
Mileage: 91,000
THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS MOUNTED IN THE TAILGATE FAILED. THIS IS DUE TO A KNOWN FAULT ON THE E70 MODEL, WHERE THE POOR QUALITY SEALANT AND METHOD USED TO PREVENT THE INGRESS OF WATER INTO THE LAMP HOUSING FAILS. THIS LEADS TO CORROSION OF THE CONNECTOR HOUSINGS AND THE FAILURE OF THE UNIT WHICH MUST BE REPLACED IN ITS ENTIRITY AT GREAT COST. AS BMW ARE AWARE OF THIS HAPPENING (INDEED THEY ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ADMITTING SAME ) SI B 63 11 10 AND THE ITEM IS A SAFETY COMPONENT, I FEEL THE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE WORK UNDERTAKEN AT THE COST OF BMW AND NOT THE UNFORTUNATE OWNERS. THEY SHOULD AT THE VERY LEAST, REPLACE THE SEALS WITH THE UPDATED ITEM (A NEOPRENE GASKET RATHER THAN SOMETHING RESEMBLING BATHROOM CAULK) AT THE NEXT SHEDULED SERVICE BEFORE THE DRIVER FINDS THEMSELVES WITH TWO FAILED BRAKE LIGHT UNITS?
Mileage: 91,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.