Vehicle Data Hub

2008 BMW X5 engine problems

Owners reported engine problems in 82 complaints for the 2008 BMW X5, 26% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
82 26% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
70,000 miles 62 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
0 and 9
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2008 BMW X5 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: 6 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 15 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 14 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 9 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 7 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 3 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 3 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 3 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 70,000 miles
Based on 62 complaints that include mileage. 37% 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 miles6
40k to 60k miles15
60k to 80k miles14
80k to 100k miles9
100k to 120k miles7
120k to 140k miles3
140k to 160k miles3
160k to 180k miles3
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 62 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 70,000 miles, and 37% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 9 fires.

What owners wrote

I was driving under heavy rain on april 20, 2012 in houston, tx. I first saw engine overheating warning sign on the dash and then misty smoke came out under the hood. I had to get off the highway and drove to a nearby repair shop. It was determined that the failure was due to a faulty water pump. I had a friend who has a 2008 BMW x5 and recently had the same issue. We believe that recall #11v521000 that concerns only 2010-2011 BMW x5 needs to be expanded to x5s of earlier years. Thank you for your consideration.

April 2012 Fire

While driving the vehicle at apx 65 MPH, check engine light came on, red indicator light came on, and engine overheating notification displayed. Vehicle slowed to 20MPH and would not drive. After sitting for 20 minutes, attempted to restart vehicle, overheating message still present. Vehicle was towed to shop, where diagnosed with faulty water pump. Called BMW to notify them of the problem, and mentioned recall 11v521000 - offered no assistance. Incident happened at apx 60k miles.

Reported at 60,000 miles, May 2013

Other problems reported for the 2008 BMW X5

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all BMW models