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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

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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

Visibility/wiper complaints

1 reports
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36,500 miles · Nov 30, 2012
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED LOUD POPPING NOISES, SIMILAR TO THE SOUND OF A GUN SHOT. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THE GLASS FROM THE SUNROOF BEGAN TO SHATTER, FALLING OVER HIM WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY AND CONFI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED LOUD POPPING NOISES, SIMILAR TO THE SOUND OF A GUN SHOT. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THE GLASS FROM THE SUNROOF BEGAN TO SHATTER, FALLING OVER HIM WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY AND CONFIRMED THAT THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT SOMETHING MUST HAVE STRUCK THE SUNROOF TO CAUSE THE GLASS TO SHATTER. THE CONTACT WAS PERSISTENT THAT NOTHING HAD STRUCK THE SUNROOF AND LATER WHILE PERFORMING RESEARCH, HE DISCOVERED THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE EXACT SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL HAD ALSO ENCOUNTERED THE SUNROOF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,500.

NHTSA ODI #10486618

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.