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BMW M5Model year report

2008 BMW M5 Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
67,500miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
13 mpgcombined, 5.0L 10-cyl RWD · 11 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 BMW M5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2008 BMW M5. The part named most often is electrical system, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine (2) and air bags (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 67,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 56 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the cables and 26 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins 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.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “The sunroof drains of my vehicle overfill or clog causing water to leak in the trunk and wheel well. The cars wheel well holds the cars battery, rdc, and pdc modules. Surrounded by foam when water reaches the modules they arc and spark causing them to heat up and melt. Also located in the trunk is several other electrical components xm radio amp, etc. If not caught in time could cause fire and maybe even death. You can't tell when they are overfilled/clogged until it's to late. I have replaced them 2 times both times almost causing fire to the car. …”

NHTSA complaint #10732757, filed 2015-07, 65,000 miles

Engine: “The contact owned a 2008 Bmw M5. The contact stated while attempting to parallel park, the vehicle was shifted to reverse and a loud pop noise was heard as flames was seen coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated people outside of the vehicle began to scream to him that there was fire coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact parked, opened the hood and saw fire in the engine compartment. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. No one was injured and no medical treatment was needed. …”

NHTSA complaint #11413930, filed 2021-04, 45,000 miles

Air bags: “On sept 25, 2014, I was driving my 2008 Bmw M5 and turning into a parking lot when I was hit from the rear, shoved on top and over a median and into another vehicle. My vehicle was struck from the rear and then struck again from the front. I do not know how fast the driver that hit me was going, however, none of my airbags in my vehicle were deployed. I am unable to determine the exact characteristics in which each airbag would be deployed and I requesting the NHTSA to perform that review.”

NHTSA complaint #10641706, filed 2014-10, 70,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 45,000 and 80,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2533%25–5033%50–7533%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 67,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

201412015120181201912020120211
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 BMW M5 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
M5 RWD5.0L 10-cyl6-speed manual111713$6,300
M5 RWD5.0L 10-cyl7-speed automatic111713$6,300

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2008 BMW M5 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

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.

See all 56 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW M5

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2019844,4303—17—Not enough data
201867503—17—Not enough data
20131037,0002—17—Not enough data
2008667,5002—13—Not enough data
2007651,0001—13—Not enough data
20063955,1001—13Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2002626,0002—15—Not enough data

All BMW M5 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 BMW M5 have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2008 BMW M5 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 BMW M5 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine with 2.

Has the 2008 BMW M5 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 BMW M5 get?

The EPA rates the 2008 BMW M5 (M5, 5.0L 10-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 11 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $6,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 BMW M5 reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 67,500 miles and the middle half falls between 45,000 and 80,000 miles; 33% 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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

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.