Representative model. Photo: MrWalkr, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2008 BMW M5 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2008 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 2
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 6
Latest campaign: Sep 11, 2013

Recall summary by component2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Exterior lighting	1	Sep 11, 2013	13V407000
Electrical system	1	Mar 26, 2012	12V126000

Safety recalls2

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Sep 11, 2013Latest campaign


Sep 11, 201313V407000	Exterior lighting: tail lights Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 13V407000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 13V407000 · Sep 11, 2013
Mar 26, 201212V126000	Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery cables OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. DetailsHide details for campaign 12V126000 What's wrong BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT. Risk OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE. Remedy BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417. Campaign NHTSA 12V126000 · Mar 26, 2012

Sep 11, 201313V407000

Exterior lighting: tail lights

Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 13V407000

What's wrong: 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.
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.
Campaign: NHTSA 13V407000 · Sep 11, 2013

Mar 26, 201212V126000

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery cables

OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE.

DetailsHide details for campaign 12V126000

What's wrong: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
Risk: OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign: NHTSA 12V126000 · Mar 26, 2012

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2008 BMW M5? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component6

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

6Complaints filed

1Involving a crash

2Involving a fire

0Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires
Engine	2	33	0	1
Electrical system	2	33	0	1
Steering	1	17	0	0
Electronic stability control (ESC)	1	17	0	0
Service brakes	1	17	0	0
Exterior lighting	1	17	0	1
Power train	1	17	0	0
Seats	1	17	0	0
Air bags	1	17	1	0
Equipment adaptive/mobility	1	17	1	0

An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Engine
“Tl* the contact owned a 2008 bmw m5. The contact stated while attempting to parallel park, the vehicle was shifted to reverse and a loud pop noise was heard as flames was seen coming from underneath the vehicle.”
Filed 04/26/2021 · ODI 11413930
Steering
“While driving my bmw m5, the vehicle became momentarily unstable while driving on state route 52 between walker valley and ellenville around a turn @ ~50mph. Shortly after the abs and dsc lights became illuminated.”
Filed 06/08/2020 · ODI 11327721
Electrical system
“All wires leading into the headlights have deteriorated and are bare. It keeps shorting out the lights and seems to be a major fire hazard. This is a garage kept car with 80k miles.”
Filed 09/27/2019 · ODI 11258658

Other BMW M5 model years

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2008 BMW M5 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2008 BMW M5 have?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns for the 2008 BMW M5. The most recent, 13V407000 (reported September 11, 2013), concerns exterior lighting. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2008 BMW M5?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 2 complaints out of 6 filed with NHTSA (33%). Across all complaints, owners reported 1 crash and 2 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2008 BMW M5?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised BMW dealer.

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