2008 BMW 7 Series Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 86,500miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 BMW 7 Series (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2008 BMW 7 Series. The part named most often is air bags, with 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by body and structure (2) and brakes (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 86,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 56 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Body and structure complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags3 27%
- Body and structure2 18%
- Brakes1 9.1%
- Equipment1 9.1%
- Exterior lighting1 9.1%
- Seat belts1 9.1%
- Seats1 9.1%
- Tires1 9.1%
Also reported: Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “Getting error fault in pass.-restraint system affecting airbag, belt tensioner or belt-force limiter. Fasten and continue to wear belts. Please contact the nearest Bmw center. It seems to be a common problem fixed on 06 07 Bmw 750li by recall what makes 08 different?”
NHTSA complaint #11155824, filed 2018-12, 185,500 milesBody and structure: “I previously filed a complaint with the NHTSA approximately 1 week ago to report that the driver's side door on my vehicle suddenly stopped latching closed. I took the vehicle to an authorized Bmw center in princeton nj to have this issue diagnosed and resolved. They replaced the door lock actuator and the door latched closed as it should for about a week. 1 week later (today) the same door latch exhibited the same problem, only this time it became unlatched while I was driving on a local road. The doors were locked prior to the driver side open swinging open and proceeding to unlock. …”
NHTSA complaint #10585592, filed 2014-04, 82,000 milesBrakes: “Just had an accident in my Bmw 750li, failing to come to a stop at a red light intersection and hitting rear of a ford explorer in front of me, causing damage to the center of my front bumper. I had my brakes jammed on for over 10 feet, going at a slow rate of speed, but brakes had no effect and car kept going until impact.”
NHTSA complaint #10358806, filed 2010-10, 37,214 milesMileage when problems were reported
17% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 65,470 and 185,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 10V446000Oct 1, 2010Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › VacuumCovers: BMW 7 Series 2002–2008, 5 Series 2004–2010, 6 Series 2004–2010
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, 6-series, and model year 2002-2008 7-series vehicles. A check valve of the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time this could result in contamination of the brake booster.
Recall details for the 2008 BMW 7 Series → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 56 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11016414Mar 27, 2025Engine. This bulletin outlines the Customer Care Package program that has been designed exclusively for BMWvehicles with the N63 engine. Vehicles with the N63 high performance engine are engineered with…
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024Electrical system. The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers…
- 10247567Dec 20, 2023Fuel system, Engine cooling. Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel…
- 10245422Nov 22, 2023Equipment, Electrical system. Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâÂÂs equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation…
- 10244242Oct 19, 2023Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Lane…. Various functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (ADCAM system) can lead to customer complaints.
- 10182619Oct 1, 2020Equipment, Electrical system. Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased…
- 10057338May 1, 2015Engine. Bmw: on certain vehicles, engine timing chain should be checked for early stages of wear, and a repair solution should be provided. *pe updated 9/25/15. *pe updated 10/6/15.
- 10058483Apr 1, 2015Fuel system, Other or unknown. Bmw: procedural information on the installation of fuel system low pressure sensor and not correctly installed will lead to failure of low pressure sensor and metal supply line. Model 2008-14.
- 10057527Jan 1, 2015Engine. Bmw: selective catalyst reduction module (scr) has a stored fault, pressure build up is low, causing service engine soon light to illuminate. *
Other model years of the BMW 7 Series
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 9 | 67,500 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 11 | 86,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 13 | 109,320 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 29 | 77,547 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 28 | 54,500 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 8 | 100,858 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 BMW 7 Series have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2008 BMW 7 Series as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 BMW 7 Series is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by body and structure with 2.
Has the 2008 BMW 7 Series been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2008 BMW 7 Series reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 86,500 miles and the middle half falls between 65,470 and 185,000 miles; 17% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.