2008 BMW 535I Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 36%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,068miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the engine of the 2008 BMW 535I, 36% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,068 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11318544, filed 2020-03, 145,000 miles“While driving at 45 MPH, yellow warning light indicating the car was overheating came on. A few seconds later the light turned red and indicated to stop the vehicle and shut the engine off. Vehicle lost all power and I came to a stop. It was towed to the shop and I was informed that the water pump and thermostat needed to be replaced adding that it was a common failure in the Bmw. Vehicle had recently been serviced at Bmw dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10705056, filed 2015-04, 88,000 miles“During highway traveling upon acceleration to change lanes the car began to lose power and stall. A engine malfunction light came/reduced power. I had to drive the car about 45 MPH because it began to shake as if it was going to cut off. Dealership advised that is was not the hpfp (high pressure fuel pump). I was told that all six fuel injectors needed to be replaced. This car can be very dangerous to drive on the highway because of its unreliability!”
NHTSA complaint #10606648, filed 2014-06, 98,000 miles“While driving, the car stopped accelerating and a transmission malfunction warning came up on. The fan on the engine also came on very loud and there was lots of exhausted coming out. I drove slowly to a shop. Once at the shop they stated they could not get the car to shift into gear. They did diagnostics on it and said it was a shift module that needed replaced, I had it replaced and it did not fix the problem. They then said it needed a reset that could only be done at the Bmw dealership. Bmw performed the reset and that did not fix the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11061640, filed 2018-01, 1 miles“Engine malfunction-driving with reduced power notice. Have previously been told that service engine light and shaking and stalling during acceleration was due to ignition coils. I have had those replaced and after replacing those the water pump failed and left me stranded on interstate....vehicle shut down while driving 70 MPH. Was able to coast to safety. Now engine malfunction. From looking at recall information it appears that I should have been notified to issues with water pump and replacement but was never contacted. …”
NHTSA complaint #10936686, filed 2016-12, 160,123 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10162416Jul 9, 2019"Power Reduction, FC 2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC 2A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Faults are Stored in DME. The ""Service Engine Soon"" (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine…
- 10151068Feb 1, 2016This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B07 03 14 dated October 2015. Diagnosing Stored Fault Codes to Help Avoid Repeat Repair Visits. Fault codes stored in vehicles…
- 10147598Jan 1, 2015"SUBJECT N62TU: ISTA Service Function for DME ""RAM Backup"". The ISTA Service Function test plan should be performed to clear stored values in the DME RAM memory after repairs…
- 10149286Oct 1, 2014INFORMATION This section only applies to vehicles that require cleaning the intake valve and intake ports. Refer to the applicable Service Information bulletin or ETK if carbon…
- 10150035Jul 1, 2013Voluntary Emissions Recall Campaign 10E-A02: N54 Inspection and Replacement of Injectors. The piezo injectors may cause misfire faults with erratic engine operation.
- 10150065Jun 1, 2013"BMW NA has agreed to extend the emissions warranties of the turbocharger's wastegate to: ??8 years or 82,000 miles, whichever occurs first, as determined from the vehicle's…
- 10149589May 1, 2013"N54 Engine: Diagnosis of Cold Start Rough Running with Misfire Faults. The customer may complain that during the cold start in the morning, the engine runs very roughly and the…
- 10150100Mar 1, 2013The customer may complain that during the cold start in the morning, the engine runs very roughly and the Service Engine Soon lamp is illuminated. Various misfire fault codes…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 BMW 535I
16 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 BMW 535I
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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