2008 BMW 535XI Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 4%of 71 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the body and structure of the 2008 BMW 535XI, 4% of the 71 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 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.
“I discovered multiple severed wires in the tailgate/rear window wiring harnesses. Through research online I have found this is a common problem with this vehicle over several model years - search for Bmw e61 tailgate wiring problems. The failures are caused by a poor design where the wires entering the hinge guides (4) for the glass and tailgate are repeatedly flexed at a sharp angle until the insulation, then the copper wire breaks. …”
NHTSA complaint #10557118, filed 2013-12, 75,000 miles“While driving at 55mph not close to the vehicle in front of me and with no oncoming traffic, and with the sunroof closed, there was a sudden explosion above my head. It was a very loud noise and my first thought was that the sunroof had been shot. Before I had time to pull over, the shattered glass of the sunroof blew off the roof onto the road behind me. I did not see anything come off the vehicle in front of me, there was no oncoming traffic, and I was not going under a bridge of any kind. It was as if the sunroof spontaneously exploded. …”
NHTSA complaint #10706690, filed 2015-04, 121,054 miles“The contact owns a 2008 Bmw 535XI. The contact stated that after exiting the vehicle and touching the handle to lock the doors via the keyless entry feature, the contact failed to realize that the passenger had not exited the vehicle. The passenger was unable to unlock the doors and remained trapped in the vehicle with the windows up for approximately 15 minutes until the driver came back to unlock the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was explained that what the contact perceived as a failure was a security feature of the vehicle and was not considered a defect. …”
NHTSA complaint #10749098, filed 2015-08, 100,000 milesBody and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 3 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2008 BMW 535XI
26 complaintsEngine
16 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 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