Problem: BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
Risk: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
535i
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
535i
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine
27
0
2
0
81,068 mi
Exterior lighting
16
0
2
1
75,000 mi
Electrical system
15
0
2
0
67,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
13
0
0
0
60,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
9
0
0
0
81,000 mi
Air bags
7
0
0
0
94,900 mi
Power train
6
0
0
0
118,523 mi
Seat belts
6
0
0
0
98,000 mi
Unknown or other
5
0
0
0
62,500 mi
Steering
3
0
0
0
42,000 mi
Seats
3
0
0
0
—
Service brakes
2
0
1
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jul 1, 2023Unknown or other here is wisdom; traffic circles; eliminate collisions 98% cut pollution fossil fuels & signal electricity 98%; cut manhour prevailing wages 98% employee med sick vac and retirement 98% and equipment maintenance 98% yes 98% of wasted taxpayer revenue allotted to traffic signal intersections can begin to be wasted elsewhere for polititians hold fast to unearned income , a revelation uncle sams ears might be pricked or at least itch !!!! almighty saved the best for last MOTHER NATURE yes BLUE EARTH even GODS FOOTSTOOL and HEAVEN above will rejoice with all the beasts and things of the 12 stars on the womans' crown that is the ZODIAC;begin @ spring equinox 12 day n night MARCH 21-APRIL 20 aries…
Oct 2, 2021Air bags The vehicle front passenger seat sensor MAT (SRS) failure. This is a safety-related issue. The same item was recalled for prior years' models. A recall should issued be for this model and and year.
Aug 16, 2017 · 97,000 milesFuel/propulsion system HPFP IS GOING BAD ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON LONG CRANK START
Nov 4, 2020 · 138,000 miles · fireEngine TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, WHEN WARNING MESSAGE OF "ENGINE HOT AND DRIVE MODERATELY" WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUCTIONAL PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN SAW SMOKE EXITING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A BOTTLE OF WATER SHE HAD IN HAND. NO FIRE OR POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS CURRENTLY WAITING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
Sep 21, 2020 · 155,400 milesUnknown or other COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF SMOKE ARE RELEASED UPON START AND NOW IT SMOKES EVEN WORSE NO MATTER WHAT. IT USED TO STOP BUT NOT ANYMORE. SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS. I NOTICED MY CAR COULDN'T ACCELERATE AND THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING EVERYWHERE AND THEN IT RAN OK BUT AS SOON AS I GOT HOME MY CAR SMOKED AND SMOKED SO MUCH I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET INTO A SPOT
Mar 16, 2020 · 145,000 milesEngine I WAS DRIVING HOME STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT , THEN TURNED GREEN WENT TO ACCELERATE CAR TOOK OFF AND LOST ALL POWER WOULD NOT MOVE PRESSING ACCELERATOR AND 2 SEMI TRUCKS COMING REAL FAST FROM CROSS TRAFFIC ALMOST KILLED ME LIGHT TURNED RED FOR ME AND GREEN FOR SEMI TRAILERS WITH NO TIME TO EXIT CAR.
Feb 29, 2020 · 200,000 milesEngine TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 5351. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A MISFIRE CYLINDER # 2. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Apr 3, 2019Air bags THE NORTH AMERICAN BMW HAD RECALLED THE 2004-2006 BMWS WITH THE FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT, AS THEY HAD A RECURRING PROBLEM OF FAILING. BMW STATED THAT THEY "IMPROVED THE QUALITY OF MATERIALS, AND FIXED THE PROBLEM", BUT IT SEEMS THAT OTHER BMW OWNERS STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM INCLUDING MYSELF. MY BMW ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO HAD THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY WARNING LIGHT COME ON, AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY "FIXED" THE ISSUE, BUT MOST LIKELY INSTEAD OF ACTUALLY TAKING THE TIME TO IMPROVE THEIR PRODUCT, THEY PROBABLY JUST SLAPPED A NEW LABEL ON IT AND CALLED IT A DAY. AND WHAT EVEN MORE ANNOYING IS THE COST OF REPLACEMENT PARTS, WHICH ALONE COST UPWARDS OF $900. YOU WOULD…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.