2008 BMW 535I Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 4%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the steering of the 2008 BMW 535I, 4% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2008 535I power steering pump at 49,560 miles. I fluid dripping (brownish-reddish) on my garage floor and looked under the car and noticed leak developed under the car engine left side, sipped thru the under carriage cover plate. I contacted Bmw dealership, set up appointment for service analysis. I was told by the service rep and his master mechanic that they could not find any visible leakage and could be just from another vehicle parked on the spot before and just top off all fluids . I insisted that the drips was on my garage clean floor and un-satisfied with the answer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10490473, filed 2012-12, 49,560 miles“The active steering stops working without warning, dramatically changing the handling of the car. It randomly starts & stops working. The dealer first denied that there was a problem, then after 3 visits fixed it with updated software, but the problem persists. I have gone off the road, but not hit anything...yet.”
NHTSA complaint #10429256, filed 2011-10, 25,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10194296Apr 1, 2021Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking…
- 10151323May 1, 2016ELV Does Not Release. The customer complains of a no-crank, no-start situation. The condition may be intermittent. The ELV (Electric Steering Lock) warning is shown in the…
- 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…
- 10147941Jan 1, 2014ELV Does Not Release. Cause 1: The steering column is held against the steering lock because of torque from the steering gear. In such cases, a yellow check control warning (CC…
Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 BMW 535I
27 complaintsExterior lighting
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 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 29, 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