2008 BMW 535I Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 8%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 118,524miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 BMW 535I, 8% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 118,524 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.
“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“Driving family down the highway around 65 MPH. I loose all power in the cabin. The car starts throwing all warning lights, ABS, steering,sway control, transmition, etc. Engine still running would not shift into neutral had to use e brake to pull over then it wanted to keep going had to turn car off to stop it. Called tow truck sent family home.”
NHTSA complaint #11115823, filed 2018-08, 132,047 miles“Pressing the shift (transmission) selector into the reverse position, causes the shifters electrical ribbon cable to get pinched and the lights in the shifter and sport button fail to work anymore. Repositioning of this ribbon cable or using a different insulation method would solve this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10575066, filed 2014-03, 67,000 miles“Vehicle was previously driven the day before drove perfect no problems, the day after the vehicle when you put in drive or reverse it would automatically go back to park on it's own and would not move the vehicle was parked in the drive way as normal. …”
NHTSA complaint #10850159, filed 2016-03, 105,000 miles“While driving on a rural highway to work the car shutdown completly. I had the car towed to the mechanic for a diagnotic check. The car needed alternator and water pump. I called Bmw because there is a recall on the water pump on my vehicle. The customer service rep stated that recalls are vendor specific. That does not make since to me since cars are made on an assembly line.”
NHTSA complaint #10899373, filed 2016-08Related service bulletins
- 10175267Apr 1, 2020Power Reduction FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2 A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The "Service Engine Soon" (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. This…
- 10148034Sep 1, 2014"Intelligent Battery Sensor Diagnosis Hints. The vehicle enters the workshop with one or more of the following complaints: * Check Control Message related to battery discharge *…
Transmission and drivetrain: 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 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 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