NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 BMW X5 SAV Recalls & Complaints

The 2008 BMW X5 SAV has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 20 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 BMW X5 SAV. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2008 BMW X5 SAV owner complaints

Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 BMW X5 SAV, describing incidents dated February 15, 2014 to February 13, 2019.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 9 complaints
Electrical System 4 complaints
Engine 4 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 3 complaints
Seats 3 complaints
Service Brakes 3 complaints

Of the 20 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 20 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11183395 · Filed March 1, 2019
BWW HAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ITS SEAT SENSOR MAT. THESE SENSORS ARE CRITICAL TO THE SAFETY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. BMW HAS ONLY ISSUED RECALLS FOR SELECT MODEL OF ITS VEHICLE ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. IT HAS FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM…
ODI #11044739 · Filed November 8, 2017
TAKATA RECALL I CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA LAST YEAR TO COMPLAIN ABOUT NOT RECEIVING A REPLACEMENT AIRBAG FOR MY 2008 BMW X5 3.0 SI. THEY TOLD ME IT WILL BE AVAILABLE TOWARDS THE END OF SUMMER 2016. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION OF ITS AVAILABILITY UP TO NOW (LATE FALL 2017). I THINK THEY…
ODI #11011505 · Filed July 30, 2017
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE REPLACE MY KEY FOB TWO TIME IN ONE YEAR EACH TIME IT COST ME $275.00 BY BMW WHY CAN'T BMW REPLACE THE KEY WITH A $2.00 LIKE ALL ITS OTHER MODELS. ONLY THE 2008 MODELS COST THAT MUCH

Read all 20 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 BMW X5 SAV in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

PCV Heater May Short Circuit

NHTSA #22V119000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System — Emission Control — Crankcase (PCV) · NHTSA notice

Reported March 2, 2022 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 917,106 vehicles

Repair completion: 35.82% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified July 22, 2022

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Safety consequence

An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.

Manufacturer remedy

This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #16V071000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported February 5, 2016 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 840,000 vehicles

Repair completion: 49.28% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified November 1, 2016 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Leaking Brake Vacuum Pump/Loss of Power Assist

NHTSA #13V045000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Power Assist · NHTSA notice

Reported February 7, 2013 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 30,265 vehicles

Owners notified March 29, 2013 · Vehicles built September 12, 2006 – March 18, 2010 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

BMW is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 X5 SAV vehicles, manufactured September 12, 2006, through March 18, 2010 and equipped with an 8-cylinder engine. The brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil into the hose. The contamination could result in a loss of power assist braking.

Safety consequence

The loss of power assist in braking could increase stopping distance and lead to a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake vacuum line with one that contains a check valve, free of charge. The recall began during March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2008 BMW X5 SAV. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

20 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 BMW X5 SAV.

Air Bags; Seat Belts; Seats

ODI #11183395

Incident: February 13, 2019 · Filed: March 1, 2019

BWW HAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ITS SEAT SENSOR MAT. THESE SENSORS ARE CRITICAL TO THE SAFETY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. BMW HAS ONLY ISSUED RECALLS FOR SELECT MODEL OF ITS VEHICLE ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. IT HAS FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AFFECTING ALL OF ITS VEHICLES ACROSS YEARS AND MODELS. I BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ACT TO FORCE BMW TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. HUMAN LIVES ARE BEING PUT IN DANGER. THANK YOU.

Air Bags

ODI #11044739

Incident: April 12, 2016 · Filed: November 8, 2017

TAKATA RECALL I CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA LAST YEAR TO COMPLAIN ABOUT NOT RECEIVING A REPLACEMENT AIRBAG FOR MY 2008 BMW X5 3.0 SI. THEY TOLD ME IT WILL BE AVAILABLE TOWARDS THE END OF SUMMER 2016. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION OF ITS AVAILABILITY UP TO NOW (LATE FALL 2017). I THINK THEY COMPLETELY IGNORED MY COMPLAINT. THE CATASTROPHIC RISK STILL EXISTS WITH MY CAR. I NEED NHTSA'S ASSISTANCE FOR BMW TO ACT ON THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE WAITED FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AND STILL NO ACTION FROM BMW.

Electrical System

ODI #11011505

Incident: June 30, 2017 · Filed: July 30, 2017

TAKATA RECALL I HAVE REPLACE MY KEY FOB TWO TIME IN ONE YEAR EACH TIME IT COST ME $275.00 BY BMW WHY CAN'T BMW REPLACE THE KEY WITH A $2.00 LIKE ALL ITS OTHER MODELS. ONLY THE 2008 MODELS COST THAT MUCH

Engine

ODI #10979346

Incident: March 31, 2017 · Filed: April 19, 2017

ENGINE SUDDENLY OVERHEATS DUE TO DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP AND SHUTS DOWN QUICKLY. OVER HEAT WARNING CAME ON A FEW SECONDS BEFORE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY DERATED AND WENT TO IDLE. VERY DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF HARMS WAY WITH NO ACCELERATION AT ALL. ONLY 37,700 ON VEHICLE. BMW OWNERS REPORTING HIGH FREQUENCY OF PREMATURE WATER PUMP FAILURES. REPAIRS COST $1,499 WITH ADDITIONAL TOWING CHARGES OF $285. THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMPS HAVE POOR QUALITY PLASTIC IMPELLERS. BMW SHOULD RECALL THIS COSTLY REPAIR DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. MY FAMILY AND I WERE STRANDED FOR HOURS WAITING ON A TOW DURING UNSAFE CONDITIONS.

Power Train; Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #10966379

Incident: March 16, 2017 · Filed: March 16, 2017

WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION CODE COMES ON AND VEHICLE INSTANTLY LOSES POWER. ALMOST BEEN REAR ENDED ON HIGHWAY SEVERAL TIMES.SPENT 1000 RECENTLY ON TRANSMISSION PARTS. RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A SOFT WARE ISSUE AND BMW HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED ALTHOUGH THOUSANDS OF REPORTS HAVE BEEN FILED-SOME BY OWNERS WITH ONLY 1000 MILES ON THEM THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT BMW HAS IGNORED.

Air Bags

ODI #10966098

Incident: March 15, 2017 · Filed: March 15, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS NOTIFIED OVER A YEAR AGO, SINCE HAVE BROUGHT IN MY CAR TWICE FOR SERVICE. DEALER SAYS THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR ME YET. I AM CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY.

Air Bags; Service Brakes; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10958745

Incident: January 26, 2017 · Filed: March 6, 2017

"TAKATA RECALL" AIRBAGS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED NOR SERVICED. RECALL CAMPAIGN 13V-045: INSPECT BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY LINE. INVOLVES THE E70 (X5) WITH THE N62TU ENGINE PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 2006 TO MARCH 2010. SI B34 04 13 (LABOR OPERATION 00 61 028)- BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY LINE WAS REPLACED IN JULY 2013 AT BMW HAWAI'I ... REQUESTING SAFETY RECALL REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR LABOR OPERATIONS 00 61 029 AND SUBLET CODE 4. DUE TO BRAKE BOOSTER 'TOTAL FAILURE'. VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO SLIGHTLY MOVE FORWARD WITH BRAKE PEDDLE FULLY PRESSED. VEHICLE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH BRAKE PEDDLE FULLY PRESSED WHEN VEHICLE IS PLACED IN DRIVE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO TRAVEL UPHILL OR DOWN HILL BECAUSE VEHICLE WILL NOT REMAIN STATIONARY WITH BRAKE FULLY PRESSED. OWNER UNAWARE OF BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE DUE TO HAVING NO KNOWLEDGE OF BRAKE MECHANICS. ANNOTATED TOTAL FAILURE OF BRAKE BOOSTER AND POSSIBLE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. SI B34 04 13 - IF A PRIOR REPAIR WAS PERFORMED- APPLICABLE RECALL PROCEDURESMUST BE STILL PERFORMED. THE REPAIR DESCRIBED IN THIS BULLETIN IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY REGARDLESS OF TIME OR MILEAGE (P. 4-5).

Air Bags

ODI #10957439

Incident: March 15, 2016 · Filed: February 27, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION BY MAIL FROM BMW THAT MY VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S FRONT AIRBAGS WILL BE REPLACED. I RECEIVED THE LETTERS IN MARCH 2016 (RECALL CAMPAIGN # 16V-071) AND JULY 2016 (CAMPAIGN RECALL # 16V-364). I CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA REGARDING THESE RECALLS AND I WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULD BE RECEIVE A LETTER OF THE AVAILABILITY OF THE REPLACEMENT PARTS TOWARDS THE END OF SUMMER 2016. WE ARE APPROACHING THE START OF SUMMER 2017 AND I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM BMW REGARDING THIS MATTER. I DO NOT KNOW IF BMW IS STILL GOING TO FIX THIS DEFECT. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT MATTER THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Air Bags

ODI #10920384

Incident: October 31, 2016 · Filed: October 31, 2016

TAKATA RECALL. BMW NORTH AMERICA AND MY LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP IN IRVINE, CALIFORNIA HAVE NOT PROVIDED OPTIONS FOR ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION WHILE WAITING FOR PARTS TO BECOME AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE AIR BAG REPLACEMENT. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10910984

Incident: September 2, 2016 · Filed: October 1, 2016

ON SEPTEMBER 2, AROUND MIDNIGHT, AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AT THE BORDER, MY 2008 BMW SAV X5 AWD 4DR 3.0I COUGHED, CHOKED, STOPPED AND REFUSED TO BE REVIVED. WE WERE AT THE FRONT OF A LONG LINE OF FOLKS HEADING THROUGH CUSTOMS INTO CANADA. YES, AT THE HEAD OF THE LINE. IT WAS SO EMBARRASSING! AFTER FUSSING FOR ANOTHER 30 MINUTES TRYING TO GET IT INTO NEUTRAL, SEVERAL ABLE BODIED CANADIAN CUSTOMS OFFICERS PUSHED IT INTO THEIR COUNTRY. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER CAME ANOTHER 40 MINUTES LATER AND TOOK US TO A BMW SERVICE SHOP IN MONTREAL. SIRS, WHAT'S SO HARD TO SWALLOW ABOUT THIS BREAKDOWN IS THAT WE COMPLETED THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE SERVICE ON THE CAR JUST 7 DAYS BEFORE AT NEW COUNTRY BMW IN HARTFORD, CT. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A NEGLIGIBLE OIL LEAK THAT THEY SAID WAS NO PROBLEM, I WAS ASSURED THAT MY CAR WAS FINE. BUT, IT TURNS OUT THAT IT WAS NOT; AND LIKE AN INCREASINGLY LARGE NUMBER OF BMWS, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. WHAT'S MORE, IT IS CLEAR TO ME NOW THAT, BACK IN 2014, THE CAR WAS FAILING TO START AND WOULD CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AROUND MY TOWN (I WAS TOO AFRAID TO TAKE IT ON THE HIGHWAY AT THAT TIME). ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICING AND EVENTUALLY IT WAS 'FIXED (THOUGH THE FUEL PUMP WAS NEVER REPLACED UNTIL THIS LAST FAILURE). AND SO, I SUSPECT THAT I HAVE PAID FOR A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AT LEAST THREE TIMES AND I'M SICK OF IT. I THINK THAT BMW SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR AND THE COST OF TOWING AND THE RENTAL TO LEAVE CA AND RETURN TO PICK UP THE CAR.

Other BMW X5 SAV model years

Check your 2008 BMW X5 SAV VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW X5 SAV at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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