All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.
Recall & Buyer Checklist
2008 BMW 5 Series · 3 recorded campaigns · Prepared 2026-11-08
Model-year records do not confirm VIN eligibility or completed repairs. Ask your dealer to check your VIN and the original filing's safety instructions.
Done
NHTSA Campaign
OEM Recall
Component
☐
17V683000
Ask dealer
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCA
☐
07V479000
Ask dealer
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
☐
13V407000
Ask dealer
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
☐ Confirm open recalls by VIN ☐ Schedule free repairs ☐ Keep completed repair orders
Buying used? ☐ Check title / accident / odometer history ☐ Arrange an independent inspection
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The PCV valve in your vehicle helps clean the air inside your engine. The heater for this valve is the part that could be causing problems in certain 2007-2011 BMW models.
Risk if Unfixed
If the PCV valve heater short circuits, it could melt the parts inside the valve, even when your car is parked and turned off. This could cause a fire.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty heater with a new one at no cost to you. You should schedule the repair once you receive the second recall notice, expected by the end of October 2018.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Your vehicle's V8 engine has a fuel rail system that can be damaged by a rare electrical discharge in extremely cold and dry conditions.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens, your engine could stall, making it hard to control your vehicle, and you might not be able to steer or accelerate. This could lead to a crash.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will add two extra grounding cables to your engine to prevent this issue, and the repair is completely free. You should schedule the fix as after confirming availability with your dealer as possible. This timing describes the original 2007 filing; contact your dealer now to confirm the free repair is available.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES, IN CONDITIONS OF BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH LOW HUMIDITY, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE TO OCCUR AT THE FUEL RAILS. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE ENGINE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) COULD BE AFFECTED SO THAT ENGINE STALLING COULD RESULT.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
IF STALLING WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE SPEED OR ACCELERATE AND THE POWER STEERING COULD FAIL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL ATTACH TWO GROUND CABLES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
The taillights in your vehicle have electrical contacts that can wear out over time, causing the lights to flicker or stop working.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens, your taillights might not work properly, making it harder for other drivers to know when you're braking or turning. This could increase your risk of being involved in a crash.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the taillight bulb carriers with new ones at no charge to you. You'll receive a notification about the recall, and you should contact the dealer to schedule the free repair.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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).
Original — Risk if Unfixed
Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
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.
What is the overall risk grade for the 2008 BMW 5 Series?
The 2008 BMW 5 Series has a risk grade of F. This grade is calculated from 3 NHTSA safety recalls, weighted by severity, recency, and temporal decay. Grades range from A+ (excellent) to F (avoid).
How many safety recalls does the 2008 BMW 5 Series have?
The 2008 BMW 5 Series has 3 known safety recalls on record. All recalls are repaired free of charge at authorized dealerships.
What is the most severe recall for the 2008 BMW 5 Series?
The most severe recall for the 2008 BMW 5 Series is classified as critical. This indicates a life-threatening safety issue that should be addressed promptly.
Is the 2008 BMW 5 Series safe to drive?
This model year has 3 recorded safety recalls. Model-level listings do not establish VIN-specific open recalls or whether this vehicle is safe to drive. Check your VIN and contact the manufacturer for recall instructions.
What is the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV) recall for the 2008 BMW 5 Series? (Campaign #17V683000)
The PCV valve in your vehicle helps clean the air inside your engine. The heater for this valve is the part that could be causing problems in certain 2007-2011 BMW models. If the PCV valve heater short circuits, it could melt the parts inside the valve, even when your car is parked and turned off. This could cause a fire. Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty heater with a new one at no cost to you. You should schedule the repair once you receive the second recall notice, expected by the end of October 2018.
What is the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING recall for the 2008 BMW 5 Series? (Campaign #07V479000)
Your vehicle's V8 engine has a fuel rail system that can be damaged by a rare electrical discharge in extremely cold and dry conditions. If this happens, your engine could stall, making it hard to control your vehicle, and you might not be able to steer or accelerate. This could lead to a crash. Your BMW dealer will add two extra grounding cables to your engine to prevent this issue, and the repair is completely free. You should schedule the fix as after confirming availability with your dealer as possible. This timing describes the original 2007 filing; contact your dealer now to confirm the free repair is available.
What is the EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS recall for the 2008 BMW 5 Series? (Campaign #13V407000)
The taillights in your vehicle have electrical contacts that can wear out over time, causing the lights to flicker or stop working. If this happens, your taillights might not work properly, making it harder for other drivers to know when you're braking or turning. This could increase your risk of being involved in a crash. Your BMW dealer will replace the taillight bulb carriers with new ones at no charge to you. You'll receive a notification about the recall, and you should contact the dealer to schedule the free repair.
