2008 BMW 5 Series electrical system problems
Owners reported electrical system problems in 16 complaints for the 2008 BMW 5 Series, 11% of the complaints on file. It is the 3rd most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 16 11% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 49,000 miles 15 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When electrical system problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 4 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 15 electrical system complaints that report mileage, the median is about 49,000 miles, and 53% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 2 fires.
What owners wrote
Ground wire for passenger side tail light burned up. Ground wire, both sides of electrical connector, and tail light bulb holder all burned up. Passenger side brake light, tail light, turn signal and back up light do not function at all. Improperly rated fuse did not blow before circuit burned up and melted. This circuit is not designed correctly. This is a safety hazard to myself and anyone driving behind me. Car model is a 2008 528xi.
Vehicle is 2008 BMW 535xi wagon. Blocked sunroof drains meant that water drained into the vehicle, gathering in the trunk where the electronics sit. Car had multiple engine failures and warnings of transmission failure, electrical failure, sunroof error and tpm failure. Cause per BMW was blockage of rear sunroof drain. This is a common fault caused by poor design of the sunroof drains (too narrow and prone to blocking).
Other problems reported for the 2008 BMW 5 Series
- Fuel system 48 complaints
- Engine 40 complaints
Electrical system problems in other years
- 2023
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
- 2004
- 1997
- 1996