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2008 BMW 535XI

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
71Owner complaints

Model-year median: 15

0Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1
200771
200815
201035
2011
Compare all 535XI years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
26Engine
16Air Bags
13Fuel/propulsion System
13Exterior Lighting
11
All reported categories
Power Train
8Seat Belts
6Seats
5Engine And Engine Cooling
4Structure
3Visibility/wiper
3Fuel System, Gasoline
2Service Brakes
2Unknown Or Other
2Wheels
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Equipment
1Equipment Adaptive/mobility
1Steering
1Suspension
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Visibility
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

61 reports with mileage · 10 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 13 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 complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
37,000 miles · Mar 29, 2013
Visibility

I NOTICED THAT WHEN I DRIVE WITH THE SUNROOF COVER OPEN, NOT THE ACTUAL WINDOW, THERE IS A LOUD WHISTLING SOUND IN THE CAR. IT SOUNDS LIKE AN AIR GAP OR SOMETHING. WHEN I CLOSE THE SUNROOF COVER, IT IS NOT AS LOUD, BUT YOU CAN STILL HEAR WIND HOWLING. I KNOW THERE AREN'T ANY LEAKS BECAUSE WHEN IT RAINS, THERE IS NO WATER COMING …

Read full complaint

I NOTICED THAT WHEN I DRIVE WITH THE SUNROOF COVER OPEN, NOT THE ACTUAL WINDOW, THERE IS A LOUD WHISTLING SOUND IN THE CAR. IT SOUNDS LIKE AN AIR GAP OR SOMETHING. WHEN I CLOSE THE SUNROOF COVER, IT IS NOT AS LOUD, BUT YOU CAN STILL HEAR WIND HOWLING. I KNOW THERE AREN'T ANY LEAKS BECAUSE WHEN IT RAINS, THERE IS NO WATER COMING INTO MY CAR. I'M CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504968

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.