Vehicle Data Hub

2008 BMW 535I lighting problems

16 complaints about lighting have been filed for the 2008 BMW 535I, which is 14% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the 2nd most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
16 14% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
70,000 miles 15 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
0 and 2
Injuries and deaths
1 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When lighting problems show up

Lighting complaints by mileage, 2008 BMW 535I Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 70,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 2 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 1 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 2 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 3 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 2 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 3 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 2 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 0 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 0 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 70,000 miles
Based on 15 complaints that include mileage. 33% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles2
20k to 40k miles1
40k to 60k miles2
60k to 80k miles3
80k to 100k miles2
100k to 120k miles3
120k to 140k miles2
140k to 160k miles0
160k to 180k miles0
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 15 lighting complaints that report mileage, the median is about 70,000 miles, and 33% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 2 fires, 1 injury.

What owners wrote

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 BMW 535I. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, smoke emitted from the outside rear of the vehicle and the engine coolant warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician informed the contact that the rear passenger's side tail light wires had failed and were completely burned.

Reported at 70,000 miles, October 2013 Fire

Wire insulation inside the headlight housing is falling away leaving bare wires. Currently only affecting the drl. Searching BMW forums - this is not an uncommon problem. This is a dangerous condition being that the headlights could fail at any time. Replacement is prohibitively expensive at more than $700 per unit. With the number of complaints that I have seen in on-line forums, I feel this should warrant a safety related re-call. Thank you in advance for your time.

Reported at 122,000 miles, April 2017

Other problems reported for the 2008 BMW 535I

Lighting problems in other years

  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 1995
  • 1994
  • 1993
  • 1992
  • 1991
  • 1990

Lighting problems across all BMW models