2008 BMW X5 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 7%of 215 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 103,575miles
- 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 cooling of the 2008 BMW X5, 7% of the 215 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 103,575 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was about less than 2 miles away from home and I was driving 35 MPH. I heard a loud fan sound and in few sec I got a message in the display board saying engine over heating drive slowly. After few seconds another message showed in red that engine is over heated and the vehicle did not move even pressing the pedal hard. Then I stopped the vehicle by pulling it to the side and let the engine cool for 15 min. Then I drove back home. When I was 50 yards away from home I got those two messages back one after the other. But, I drove it slowly to the drive way my house. …”
NHTSA complaint #10548795, filed 2013-10, 46,000 miles“I was left stranded on the 695 baltimore beltway after my vehicle displayed an over-heating signal in my dash. A few seconds later, the engine shut down and a red engine overheated signal appeared on my dash and I was only able to drive less than 5 miles an hour to move to safety (in the midst of many cars flying by me doing well over 65 MPH). Very scary situation. The other scary situation is that I am 3,000 miles out of warranty for this issue and I feel that because my vehicle is not the only reported incident of this type, Bmw should repair the problem at no cost to me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10454459, filed 2012-04, 65 miles“I was driving under heavy rain on april 20, 2012 in houston, tx. I first saw engine overheating warning sign on the dash and then misty smoke came out under the hood. I had to get off the highway and drove to a nearby repair shop. It was determined that the failure was due to a faulty water pump. I had a friend who has a 2008 Bmw X5 and recently had the same issue. We believe that recall #11v521000 that concerns only 2010-2011 Bmw X5 needs to be expanded to x5s of earlier years. Thank you for your consideration.”
NHTSA complaint #10456850, filed 2012-04“The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that two minutes later the instrument panel went blank. The contact stated that the infotainment system failed to display an image and a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #11665037, filed 2025-06, 147,644 miles“The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, she smelled a strong burning plastic odor coming through the A/C vents. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11466460, filed 2022-05, 75,000 milesRelated recalls
- 17V683000Oct 30, 2017BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si…Covers: BMW X5 2007–2011, 328I 2007–2011, Z4 2007–2011 +5 more
Related service bulletins
- 10247567Dec 20, 2023Engine 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…
- 10225107Sep 1, 2022Coolant is leaking from under the car which is equipped with the S63 engine. A low coolant warning might also be displayed (CC Message ID166).
- 10211851Mar 1, 2022This bulletin outlines the procedure for checking the engine timing chains for wear, and should be completed in conjunction with SI B11 06 14, "N63 Customer Care Package." The…
- 10199287May 1, 2021CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N54/N54T/N55 ELECTRIC ENGINE COOLANT PUMP . With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered a nationwide settlement with…
- 10198894May 1, 2021CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N54/N54T/N55 ELECTRIC ENGINE COOLANT PUMP . With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered a nationwide settlement with…
- 10181214Sep 1, 2020Power Reduction, FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The ?Service Engine Soon? (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. This…
- 10162417Jul 9, 2019N63 Engine: Oil Consumption and/or Rough Running Complaints. The vehicle may consume engine oil above the permissible specification, and may run rough at times. White or blue…
- 10146573Mar 1, 2017N20, N26, N55, N63TU, S63TU and S55 Engines: Bosch Injector ETK Part Number Error What's New: ? Procedure change: indentifying injector type using an ISTA test plan. . The…
- 10146535Feb 1, 2017"? NO REGENERATION OF THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B18 03 10 dated November 2010. . The Service Engine Soon lamp is…
- 10146534Feb 1, 2017"? DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) CLEANING . The following performance issues may be noticed by the customer: CC-Message ""Drive faulty"" Engine jerking or a lack of power over…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 3 | 4% |
| 2021 | 7 | 6% |
| 2020 | 15 | 13% |
| 2019 | 12 | 6% |
| 2018 | 9 | 12% |
| 2017 | 4 | 5% |
| 2016 | 7 | 9% |
| 2015 | 9 | 6% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 6 | 4% |
| 2012 | 12 | 4% |
| 2011 | 10 | 4% |
| 2010 | 13 | 10% |
| 2009 | 6 | 4% |
| 2008 | 16 | 7% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 2 | 3% |
| 2003 | 24 | 24% |
| 2002 | 21 | 21% |
| 2001 | 31 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2008 BMW X5
66 complaintsAir bags
65 complaintsFuel system
41 complaintsElectrical system
35 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsExterior lighting
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 BMW X5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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