2008 Bmw X5 SAV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
70,049 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 20 complaints (45.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 20.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 10.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 9 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Seats | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
Air Bags: 9; Electrical System: 4; Engine: 4; Seats: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Service Brakes: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2014: 6; 2015: 2; 2016: 4; 2017: 7; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10573614 · 2014-03-19 (March 19, 2014)
MY CAR HAS A RECALL REPAIR ABOUT THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP LEAK. THE DEALER FOUND THE LEAK FROM THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP BEFORE DID THE RECALL REPAIR, BUT ONLY REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE AND LEAVE THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP LEAK UNREPAIRED AND QUOTED ME $2800 FOR REPAIRING THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP LEAK. I CALLED BMW USA CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULD CONTINUE TO TALK TO THE DEALER AND SAID IT'S THE DEALER DECISION. THIS SEEMS NOT RIGHT FOR ME SINCE THE ROOT CAUSE WAS NOT FIXED FOR THE RECALL. PLEASE ADVICE WHAT I SHOULD DO. [X…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10573614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10721584 · 2015-05-26 (May 26, 2015)
THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS MOUNTED IN THE TAILGATE FAILED. THIS IS DUE TO A KNOWN FAULT ON THE E70 MODEL, WHERE THE POOR QUALITY SEALANT AND METHOD USED TO PREVENT THE INGRESS OF WATER INTO THE LAMP HOUSING FAILS. THIS LEADS TO CORROSION OF THE CONNECTOR HOUSINGS AND THE FAILURE OF THE UNIT WHICH MUST BE REPLACED IN ITS ENTIRITY AT GREAT COST. AS BMW ARE AWARE OF THIS HAPPENING (INDEED THEY ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ADMITTING SAME ) SI B 63 11 10 AND THE ITEM IS A SAFETY COMPONENT, I FEEL THE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE WORK UNDERTAKEN AT THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 91,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10721584 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10627396 · 2014-08-22 (August 22, 2014)
I WAS TRAVELING ON I-78 EAST IN PENNSYLVANIA, APPROACHING EXIT 59, AND SUDDENLY THE CAR JERKED AND BEGAN TO DECELERATE. AT THAT TIME MY SPEED WAS 40 MPH. THAT PART OF THE INTERSTATE IS PRETTY MUCH UPHILL, THAT'S WHY I WAS DRIVING AT A REDUCED SPEED. WHEN I PRESSED DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL A LITTLE MORE THAT'S WHEN THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT APPEARED. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD A NEW TRANSMISSION WILL COST ME $7,776.45 EXCLUDING LABOR AND TAXES. IT'S BAFF…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,049 miles reported. Look up ODI 10627396 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10966379 · 2017-03-16 (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.
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10966379 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10595557 · 2014-06-02 (June 2, 2014)
WHEN I WAS DRIVING AROUND 30 MPH AND ABOUT TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY, AN ORANGE WARNING SIGN CAME UP THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING AND THEN IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD A RED SIGN CAME UP STATING THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATED AND I COULD HEAR THE LOUD NOISE FROM THE FAN. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. I WAITED FOR ABOUT 15 MIN. AND WHEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE FAN WAS STILL LOUD AND THE RED ENGINE OVERHEATED SIGN CAME UP AGAIN. I THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. THEY DIAGNOSED…
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10595557 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10606584 · 2014-06-27 (June 27, 2014)
TRAVELING ON EXPRESSWAY AT APPROX 60 MPH COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE HITTING HIM ON REAR. I SUSTAINED INJURY TO MY CHEST AS A RESULT OF IMPACT AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. I LEARNED THAT BMW HAS RECALLED AIRBAGS ON SEVERAL MODELS AND BELIEVE THE 2008 X5S SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MY VEHICLE IS AT A COLLISION CENTER BUT I CAN MAKE IT AVAILABLE IN CASE NHTSA EXPERTS WOULD LIKE TO INVESTIGATE IF AIRBAG SENSORS ARE WORKING PROPERLY ON THIS MODEL. IF INDEED THE AIRBAGS ON THE 2008 BMW X 5S ARE NOT WORKING PROPE…
Owner-reported narrative. 83,061 miles reported. Look up ODI 10606584 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10910984 · 2016-10-01 (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 M…
Owner-reported narrative. 118,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10910984 at NHTSA ↗