2008 BMW 5 Series Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 48about this part
- Share
- 46%of 105 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 22,250miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the fuel system of the 2008 BMW 5 Series, 46% of the 105 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,250 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Gasoline is leaking from the fuel level sensor, which is accessed beneath the left rear passenger seat, due to a crack in the plastic housing. My independent mechanic who specializes in Bmw repair, tells me this is a common problem with Bmw and mercedes vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #10654546, filed 2014-11, 90,000 miles“I bought a brand new Bmw 525i m sport which has done 1000 miles. It is just 6 weeks old and the high pressure pump (hpp) went bust. I just can't believe it. I buy a car with my hard earned money and this happens. Bmw should realize the impact it has on someone who expects a lot from his car since he is paying out of his nose.”
NHTSA complaint #10243620, filed 2008-09, 1,059 miles“The n54 engine in the Bmw is a hazard-I almost got killed when my car stalled on the road-Bmw replaced the hp fuel pump 3x already and the car is less than 3 years old. These engines need to be replaced as there is a design flaw. Do people have to die to fix the problem?”
NHTSA complaint #10331304, filed 2010-05, 7,000 miles“The car showed engine malfunction sign without warning in middle of busy street. All power, steering, everything went dead without warning. I couldn't move the whatsoever. I was lucky enough to make a right turn before this happened and avoid potential accidents.”
NHTSA complaint #10366456, filed 2010-11, 35,000 miles“Have had 3 separate instances in the past 9 months where my car stalled or sputtered with loss of power , and once I had no steering or braking ability. Dangerous situation in freeway traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #10347519, filed 2010-08, 28,300 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10247567Dec 20, 2023Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the…
- 10039765Jan 1, 2012Bmw: the service engine soon light is on while driving. This is a programming issue. *rm updated 1/4/12. *pe updated 4/24/12.
- 10035009Jan 1, 2012Bmw vehicle: teileclearing for diagnostic module tank leakage (dmtl) system. Teileclearing process has been developed to help identify the root causes of customer complaints…
- 10039768Aug 1, 2011Bmw: after refueling the tank, the gauge will say 3/4 full inand not full. The guage reads full after driving a little while. The fuel level sensor arm is binding. *rm updated…
- 10040368Dec 1, 2010Bmw service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. There may be a problem with the fuel pump which could not meet emissions requirements. There may be a long…
- 10037049Aug 1, 2010Bmw: some models equipped with the n54 engine may have an excessive crank time before starting.
- 10029404Apr 1, 2010Bmw: special limited high pressure pump (hdp) emissions warranty of 10 years/120,000 miles. A potential problem that could affect the durability of the high pressure fuel pump…
- 10033130Dec 1, 2009Bmw vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. Where it is necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery…
- 10030612May 1, 2009Bmw vehicles: service engine soon lamp or check gas cap warning illuminated while driving. Software error in the dme for the tank leak diagnostic system. Models e60, e61 (5…
- 10029684May 1, 2009Bmw: service engine soon lamp or the check gas cap warnings are illuminated while driving. When diagnosed, the dme has stored faults for small leak, micro leak, super fine leak…
Fuel system: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 BMW 5 Series
36 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 BMW 5 Series
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology