2008 BMW 535XI Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 23%of 71 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,442miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the engine of the 2008 BMW 535XI, 23% of the 71 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,442 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Car over heated and I called a mechanic and he told me the electric water pumps go out on them at around 100,000 miles. He told me how to trouble shoot the issue and it is the pump. Wonder if there is a recall for this...”
NHTSA complaint #10703806, filed 2015-04, 107,000 miles“On january 5, 2014 driving on the highway approx. 55 MPH the vehicle's displayed engine and transmission malfunction dropped my rate of speed to approximately 20 MPH (safety mode) almost sustained a rear end collision I then pulled over onto the shoulder I turned the car off waited 10 minutes and turned it on without any issues. I took the car to Bmw of tenafly, nj they inspected the vehicle made some adjustments and said the car was good to drive on the way home traveling approx. …”
NHTSA complaint #10597035, filed 2014-06, 66,000 miles“I started my car and upon starting it began rattling and shaking violently. I took a video of the message that appeared on the dash saying. Engine malfunction reduced power.”
NHTSA complaint #10701538, filed 2015-03, 114,106 miles“While driving the 2008 Bmw 535XI, there was a loud sound from the engine. A message appeared car overheated and the car stopped in the middle of the road. The water pump failed with absolutely no warning. The acceleration would not work at all and the car was essentially inoperable. It was a very difficult situation with vehicles approaching me from behind especially with no shoulder space available to pull the car over. I managed to turn ont he hazard lights and barely managed to escape this situation without an incident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10560707, filed 2014-01, 58,000 miles“I own a 2008 Bmw 535XI. Only months after the bumper-to-bumper factory warranty expired, the water pump failed. A car is rendered inoperable without this critical component. Because of this failure, I was left stranded on the side of a major highway, with my wife and kids in the car, unable to drive the car to the nearest exist. The water pump failed immediately and completely with little-to-no warning. I was extremely surprised and disappointed that the original Bmw water pump could not even last for 50,000 miles. How could this be? …”
NHTSA complaint #10472497, filed 2012-08, 46,802 milesEngine: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 BMW 535XI
26 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsExterior lighting
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsSeats
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 BMW 535XI
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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