Table 1 shows one common equipment related problems of the 2008 BMW 5 Series.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Equipment problems |
Fraud activity possible clone refinanced identity theft remote access was put on unauthorized threat safety for owner. Two loan start dates one in repo.
On or about may 2013 I was traveling at 60mph on the freeway when suddenly I heard a loud bang sound and my vehicle came to an automatic stop. Scared as vehicle behind me screeched and turn away avoiding me. I remained in the middle of the road for approximately 30 minutes before the vehicle restarted and I traveled fearfully to complete my assignment. Same day on my return home vehicle stopped about 3 times but I drove straight to dealership. Without inspecting my vehicle I was told my alternator and battery was gone. I was quoted very high amount but something told me a bad alternator and battery would not start a vehicle so I offered to take my vehicle home. My vehicle stayed home for about 4 months without use only warm ups reverse and park. I did extensive research to avoid the frivolous amount the dealers quoted and found that the integrated module (ivm) was bad. I got it for $144 and replaced it and problem was fixed after 4 months. Until April 2014 I drove the out to work and barely two miles away from home I stopped at a traffic light and when released the vehicle sounded a huge banged sound this with transmission malfunction light active brake lights and several other lights on dash board. Once again I survived being ran over in the early morning rush. Took vehicle to BMW dealership. Told gear shifter was bad and replaced for $915 and thereafter I received a call the transmission was out. I was advised cost will be $15000 then later that it cannot be fixed and advice to sale it as is to some guy. I owe $17900 on vehicle. Called BMW north America to complain was told new transmission cost $9200 and I'm asked to pay $7400 best deal. There's no reason for transmission on 2008 to go out. Since dealers took my car they gave me a rental for 4 days and took it from me but kept my vehicle for additional 2 weeks and are still holding it calling to accept deal.
2008 BMW 535i - car has had 3 fuel pumps, 3 separate visits for plugs / injectors, last visit for replaced fuel pump created large fuel leak in car which resulted in tow to dealer. Engine malfunction light problem. Hpfp, repeated engine program.
My BMW 535xi started having fuel pump issues starting around 14 months after purchase, at 12,000 miles. The first time it went into safety mode, casing it to slow down to a snails pace. A new fuel pump was installed. The second time it would not start in a parking lot after turning it off for 10 minutes after a 20 minute drive. I called road side assist and they sent a technician who was able to get it started. He told me to take to the dealer but it should be fine to drive home. I left the lot and within 3 minutes it completely seized and lost all power while accelerating in the left lane. My 11 year old daughter and I were in the car. I am thankful we survived. I called the technician back and he convinced me to drive the car with him following to the dealer (approx 3 miles). When I complained to BMW they did not showed no concern that we were put in harms way. In this instance the fuel temperature sensor/pressure sensor had a permanent failure. At 19,000 miles, the check engine light went on and I took it in to the service department. They suspected the fuel pump but could not replicate the check engine light, so corporate would not allow replacement. Again at 20,370 mile, check engine plus "cold start not running on all cylinders" no action because not tripping corporate specifications. At, 21,092, high pressure pump permanent malfunction. Engine was flooded with fuel. Five days and 100 miles later, the engine flooded again. This time the fuel injector was leaking and all the spark plugs were soaked with gas and half were not working. At that time (Nov. 2010) I asked BMW to take the car back. BMW agreed to a "trade assist" that will cost us an additional $33,000 to be get a new car. We do no understand how after almost killing us we cannot get out of this car without spending more money. We refuse to sell our problem to someone else.
The vehicle has been hard starting; most recently the engine stopped completely and suddenly while driving at high speeds during morning traffic from new hampshire to boston, MA. And had to be towed. There was possibly some indication of gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The BMW dealership reports numerous complaints about the fuel delivery system in its late model vehicles yet I have had no warnings or recall notice from the factory. Two attempts were made to correct this condition but the problem still exists . The wagon will visit the shop for a third time tomorrow attempting to correct the malfunction.
1. Vehicle loses power 2. Engine malfunction light comes one. 11/2008, 2/2009 & 4/2010 3. Gas fuel pump replaced 3 times in 18 months.
Purchased new 535i 8/22/08. With less than 400 mile, received engine malfunction-power reduced warning while driving at interstate speed. Limped to dealer, who had car for 4. 5 days. 1st question: what type of fuel? shell. Response: may have to much ethanol. Service found an engine mis-fire code; replaced injector and swapped coils to validate inj. Replacement. 2nd occurrence at 3200 miles, again at hi-way speeds. Mis-fire code again found by dealer service. Injectors were "swapped"; I'm not sure to what end. The car was also "reprogrammed". I get the impression that service people do not know what is truly causing the problem. Or else that they are trying not to commit. Now have approx. 4100 miles w/o any recurrence. Apparently this is an issue that is not just with the 5 Series, but the 3 series also, both types with the n54 turbo charged 3 liter engine. First fixes involved the high pressure fuel pump, now they are appear to be swapping/replacing injectors and reprogramming the ecu. It is also a common point of discussion in on-line BMW forums when searched under engine malfunction.