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2008 BMW 535I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
74Owner complaints

Model-year median: 5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
74
200871
200958
2010112
2011
Compare all 535I years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine
27Exterior Lighting
16Electrical System
15Fuel/propulsion System
13Vehicle Speed Control
9
All reported categories
Air Bags
7Power Train
6Seat Belts
6Unknown Or Other
5Seats
3Steering
3Fuel System, Gasoline
2Service Brakes
2Structure
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

67 reports with mileage · 7 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports

Steering complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
49,560 miles · Dec 29, 2012
Steering

2008 535I POWER STEERING PUMP AT 49,560 MILES. I FLUID DRIPPING (BROWNISH-REDDISH) ON MY GARAGE FLOOR AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND NOTICED LEAK DEVELOPED UNDER THE CAR ENGINE LEFT SIDE, SIPPED THRU THE UNDER CARRIAGE COVER PLATE. I CONTACTED BMW DEALERSHIP, SET UP APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE ANALYSIS. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REP…

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2008 535I POWER STEERING PUMP AT 49,560 MILES. I FLUID DRIPPING (BROWNISH-REDDISH) ON MY GARAGE FLOOR AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND NOTICED LEAK DEVELOPED UNDER THE CAR ENGINE LEFT SIDE, SIPPED THRU THE UNDER CARRIAGE COVER PLATE. I CONTACTED BMW DEALERSHIP, SET UP APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE ANALYSIS. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REP AND HIS MASTER MECHANIC THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY VISIBLE LEAKAGE AND COULD BE "JUST FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED ON THE SPOT BEFORE AND JUST "TOP OFF ALL FLUIDS". I INSISTED THAT THE DRIPS WAS ON MY GARAGE CLEAN FLOOR AND UN-SATISFIED WITH THE ANSWER. I TOLD THE SERVICE REP THAT I WILL E-MAIL HIM A PICTURE I TOOK OF THE CARS UNDER CARRIAGE SHOWING THE FLUID DRIPPING. AFTER AN HOUR, HE CALLED AND ADMITTED THAT THE PICTURE HELP THEM TO "TROUBLE-SHOOT" AND THEY UN-INSTALL THE UNDER CARRIAGE COVER PLATE AND FOUND A LEAK ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP (PART COST $1,250.00 NOT INCLUDING LABOR, $1,630.00 TOTAL) AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. FORTUNATELY IT'S ALL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE AND CAUSE ACCIDENT OR EVEN LIVES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490473

42,000 miles · Jan 11, 2012
Steering

THE CAR PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT AND NOW SHAKES ABOVE 20MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10443457

25,000 miles · Oct 9, 2011
Steering

THE ACTIVE STEERING STOPS WORKING WITHOUT WARNING, DRAMATICALLY CHANGING THE HANDLING OF THE CAR. IT RANDOMLY STARTS & STOPS WORKING. THE DEALER FIRST DENIED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM, THEN AFTER 3 VISITS "FIXED" IT WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I HAVE GONE OFF THE ROAD, BUT NOT HIT ANYTHING...YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10429256

Official recalls

1

13V407000 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Sep 11, 2013

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.