2008 BMW X5 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 5%of 215 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2008 BMW X5, 5% of the 215 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
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 was told by the Bmw dealer, my driver side rear brake bulb socket is melted to the housing because of the bulb heating up and I need to replace both sides housing, the bulb can not be removed because the socket is melted to the housing. I can not even change my blown bulb and it is given me a blown bulb signal on my dash board?”
NHTSA complaint #10807972, filed 2015-12, 112,000 miles“My brake lights were out. Bmw has indicated that both sockets have melted to the point that they can't remove anything without breaking things. I did some research online and found that people have had this same thing and fires have started. Worth investigating!”
NHTSA complaint #10482336, filed 2012-10, 112,000 miles“The X5 displayed a digital message on the dash front panel stating: left brake light malfunction . I removed the panel where the back tail lights are located and found that the driver's brake light plastic carrier, where the bulb sits, was burnt brown, melted and cracked open. I then proceeded to check the passenger side and to my surprise, I found that the same exact circumstance had happened. I believe the bulb is too hot and too close to the plastic carrier, causing the melting. …”
NHTSA complaint #10557394, filed 2013-12, 52,543 miles“I had the light bulb sensor illuminate in my car. I brought the car to the local Bmw dealer for light bulb replacement. The rear parking brake lenses are fused to the parking brake light bulbs. The light bulb can not be removed. There is a possibility of this lens catching on fire there are marks on the lens cover that shows this. I spoke to Bmw north america and they would not replace. This is a safety issue it could catch on fire. I can not replace the bulb without replacing both lenses. My car will now not pass inspection in my state due to this issue..”
NHTSA complaint #10626886, filed 2014-08, 105,281 miles“A brake lamp malfunction light came on the dash board for, at first the left brake light, then later the right brake light. I opened the panel to replace the bulbs only to find that in both sides, the brake light housings were melted because the bulbs were so hot. The taillight housing were burned black and melted. This was less than an inches from the electrical wiring. I was surprised there wasn't a fire inside both panels. As goodwill, and to retain my loyalty, Bmw of alexandria replaced both at no charge. Each assembly cost $500, and I needed two. …”
NHTSA complaint #10475278, filed 2012-09, 62,186 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10057566Oct 1, 2014Bmw: some vehicles, with 552 option, are experiencing a malfunction of led headlight on one where it flickers on an doff during driving and the control check message is…
- 10147945Jan 1, 2014Delay in Automatic Driving Light Switching On/Off. When driving out of a tunnel or exiting underground parking, the automatic driving light remains switched on for two minutes…
- 10052363May 1, 2013Bmw: due to an error in software calibration, some vehicles are experiencing warning illumination of dsc, abs and brake and a possible warning in control display for chassis…
- 10150123Mar 1, 2013INFORMATION Note: Failures that result from the installation of non-approved accessories and/or non-original parts are not covered. Procedure A with Reprogramming and Encoding…
- 10040177Mar 1, 2013Bmw: the brake light fails and the bulb holder is deformed due to high temperatures and the composition of the holder. *rm updated on 4/25/2013.
- 10042704Sep 1, 2011Bmw: on certain vehicles, the xenon headlamp often have no trouble found when returned and tested thru warranty parts system. The root cause is not possible to be identify.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 5 | 4% |
| 2019 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 11 | 5% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 4 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 5 | 8% |
| 2003 | 6 | 6% |
| 2002 | 8 | 8% |
| 2001 | 9 | 6% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2008 BMW X5
66 complaintsAir bags
65 complaintsFuel system
41 complaintsElectrical system
35 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsOther or unknown
12 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 31, 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