2008 BMW X5 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 66about this part
- Share
- 31%of 215 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 66 complaints about the engine of the 2008 BMW X5, 31% of the 215 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The vehicle shakes, runs rough and turns itself off when braking/stopped at red lights. I have taken the car to Bmw naples and another repair shop. They requested I have a tune up and replace two sensors which I have done. Thousand of dollars later and the problem was not fixed. No one can tell me what the problem is. I have researched it online and found other people are having the same problem with their Bmw X5.”
NHTSA complaint #10679672, filed 2015-01, 80,000 miles“I was driving about 20 MPH and all of the sudden I heard a snap noise and steering wheel became hard to move, I managed to park the car safely and turns out the bolt that holds the tensioner pulley broke off. The repair is thousands of dollars, I almost had an accident and because I was only doing 20 MPH I managed to avoid an accident and others safety. Imagine if I was on the highway doing 70 MPH. I would like Bmw to pay for my repair and make it doesn't happen anymore to me or anyone else.”
NHTSA complaint #11195819, filed 2019-04, 85,232 miles“My 2008 X5 3.0si started just out of the blue to have this super loud fan noise while driving in town to pick up my kids. It was not even hot outside so I was wondering what's wrong with it. Also got the water overheating warning. Brought the car to the dealer and it was determined that the water pump was faulty. Cost me almost $1400.00 and the car had only 37000 miles on the clock. Why is there no recall for the 2008 6cylinder engine?”
NHTSA complaint #10807855, filed 2015-12, 37,000 miles“Overheating issue. I fixed the thermostat and the water hose but car immediately overheated once I got on the highway. This caused the car to immediately shut down on the freeway. This was a very dangerous situation.”
NHTSA complaint #10853625, filed 2016-04, 69,000 miles“Brought my 2008 X5 in for the crankcase (pcv) recall. The dealer (the Bmw store in cincinnati) told me the serpentine belt had to be removed for the repair and while removing the belt, the tensioner pully fell off. This was described as due to an existing broken bolt in the engine block. The dealer said I would either have to pay to repair or they would put the car back as found and can not be held if the car broke down. Is the dealer liable to repair this since the car was fully operational when it was brought in for the recall?”
NHTSA complaint #11253202, filed 2019-09, 104,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 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…
- 10162416Jul 9, 2019"Power Reduction, FC 2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC 2A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Faults are Stored in DME. The ""Service Engine Soon"" (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine…
- 10163026Jun 1, 2019N63 ENGINE: OIL CONSUMPTION CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR PROCEDURES. While engine oil consumption may create a customer inconvenience in the short term it should…
- 10149564Oct 1, 2018N63 AND N63T ENGINE: ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION, ENGINE OIL TOP-UPS AND REFILL CAPACITY. Customers with one of the vehicles above may complain that the engine's oil consumption is…
- 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…
- 10146527Feb 1, 2017"?N63, N63TU, N63R, S63 AND S63TU ENGINES: UPPER OIL PAN REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B11 17 15 dated October…
- 10147006Aug 1, 2016Service Action: S63 Engine - Check and Replace High- Pressure Injectors This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B13 08 15 dated January 2016. The high-pressure injectors…
- 10151303May 1, 2016"N63, N63TU and N63R Engines: Upper Oil Pan Removal and Installation Repair Instructions This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B11 17 15 dated August 2015.. INFORMATION…
- 10151300May 1, 2016N51, N52, N52K and N52T Engines: Various Eccentric Shaft Sensor Faults stored in the DME - Diagnostic Hints This Service Information bulletin and attachment supersedes SI B11 06…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 11% |
| 2025 | 3 | 5% |
| 2024 | 13 | 9% |
| 2023 | 5 | 15% |
| 2022 | 13 | 18% |
| 2021 | 25 | 23% |
| 2020 | 33 | 29% |
| 2019 | 52 | 27% |
| 2018 | 11 | 15% |
| 2017 | 12 | 16% |
| 2016 | 14 | 19% |
| 2015 | 42 | 28% |
| 2014 | 16 | 16% |
| 2013 | 45 | 30% |
| 2012 | 92 | 34% |
| 2011 | 110 | 42% |
| 2010 | 40 | 32% |
| 2009 | 30 | 22% |
| 2008 | 66 | 31% |
| 2007 | 9 | 13% |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 | 12 | 15% |
| 2004 | 9 | 14% |
| 2003 | 11 | 11% |
| 2002 | 7 | 7% |
| 2001 | 7 | 4% |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2008 BMW X5
65 complaintsFuel system
41 complaintsElectrical system
35 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsEngine cooling
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