2008 BMW X5 Electrical System Problems

Last night my 2008 BMW X5 caught fire while parked in a parking lot - the fire was in the engine compartment and appeared to be an electrical fire - police and fire were at the scene and a report was made.

The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that two minutes later the instrument panel went blank. The contact stated that the infotainment system failed to display an image and a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 147,644.

Mileage: 147,644

My 2008 bmw x5 4.8i almost caught fire. The fuel pump connector is burnt into the fuel pump harness. My local mechanic said this was like a ticking time bomb. The issue is these trucks are known for this problem and there was a recall for this but my vin coming up with no recalls when this truck is clearly apart of the bad batch , I have pictures for proof.

X5 was off, parked and the engine compartment burst into flames. Car was totaled There was apparently a recall issues in 2022 in which I was unaware and had no direct contact from the BMW dealer I purchased it from. The recall states that in some vehicles, this part could cause a fire. Well, I had a fire and there was zero indication of anything wrong with the car.

My 2008 BMW X5 was taken to a shop to be diagnosed due to Diagnosis as followed:( low coolant light coming on) “coolant crossover pipe from timing belt cover leaking” it is available for inspection, although it is not safe to drive. The low coolant light went off after I put more in it and did not come back on. Me and my then 10 month old were picking my 14 year old up from school and I noticed smoke pouring out of the hood. There was no warning lights or anything. Then the air conditioner started to blow smoke out as well. I cut the car off and it continued to smoke for approximately an hour. The car was about to catch on fire with no warning lights and the hazardous smoke out of the vents. The problem was diagnosed by Dan’s Auto Center. I can not move my car because it will smoke at the engine and cause a fire risk. The low coolant sensor came on a few days after purchased. I took it to get it diagnosed and the cost from that place quoted approximately 3,000 dollars. I put coolant in it and did not drive it for awhile. The sensor went off and the coolant was still full. There were no signs, no sensor, no overheating, just all the sudden huge clouds of smoke coming from my hood of the car. BMW has a lot of recalls for this same situation, but my car (year) is not listed.I do not understand this. Please add my car to the list, this is a 2000 to 3000 job and I have to get my car towed to a place if I ever can. Can I take this to a BMW Place and ask them to fix due to other recalls? This was very scary for me and my children. “The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles, a melting intake manifold, and potentially fire,”according to BMW.

I've been experiencing drive train problems with my vehicle and upon research I've concluded that not just only me but many people with the same vehicle as mine have been having transfer case/driveshaft/differential problems and the scary part is that no codes pop up for this issue!! I've already took it to many shops I've even took it to an official BMW dealership and they don't seem to help but the real reason I'm reaching out is because I nearly had a near death experience related to this issue on the freeway.. the vehicle seemed to shake violently and felt like it wanted to seize up while driving and had to do an emergency pull over but once again it doesn't throw no codes and not only that I've already spent thousand of dollars into this car for it to react like that while driving! Please 🙏🏻 hear me out and help me resolve this as soon as possible.. thank you [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

On 12/10/2022 I was driving to work and my BMW started smelling of like electrical fire. I pulled over on a exit in Sweetwater, TN and upon exiting the vehicle I noticed flames under the hood of the car. The car was on fire somewhere in the engine. A passerbuyer stopped and called 911 for me Christianburg, TN fire Dept. done the report. But BMW has a recall on this vehicle for over 1yr with no remedy to fix knowing the car can catch on fire. Luckily I was not injured but I suffered a total loss from my vehicle. Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (pcv) NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 22V119000 Report Date: Mar 02, 2022 Consequence: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked. What You Should Do: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X

This car is not safe to drive, when you accelerate lots of black smoke come from tail pipe and loose power at the same time, Its burning through spark plugs Im having to change them at least every 2 wks plugs cost 15$ a piece, Its burning through oil oil leaks popping up random all over every 2 weeks its burning through 5 quarts of oil ,oil is 18$ a quart, Do to the lose of power i have to take the access roads to and from work. Its causing me to miss a lot of work Im afraid for my wife and kids to be in the car with me its just not safe we got the letter from BMW 2 months ago about the recall what is considered a timely manner because 2 months is a ling time we need this resolved asap bmw just giving us the run arounds verses solving this issue. This car has been riding this unsafe way for at least 6 months and its getting worst by the day, its costing us to much money plus lose of work

this vehicle is dangerous and I cannot drive it without it smoking and overheating, exhaust or fumes get inside the vehicle not safe for my family, I bought it last year and have had problems since and I cant get it fixed. I tried to call the BMW office last year to no avail and no returned calls, I constantly had to fill coolant when driving and afraid to drive no more because smoke from engine and smell of smoke is frightening while on the road. can't drive this vehicle anymore

suspension warning came up. air suspension bags. and air pump fail while driving at 65m/h. car was hard to control. I had to slow down to 40m/h. to drive safely.

ear conditioning will not work while driving in the desert.

Car engine stalled. Needed to be jumped. The battery was brand new, was changed a few days ago.

VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE STOPPED. A SMELL OF HOT ELECTRICAL WAS PRESENT IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE SHUT OFF. INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE SHOWED A BLOWN FUSE FOR THE FUEL PUMP CIRCUT, AS WELL AS MELTING OF THE PLASTIC POWER CONNECTION TO THE FUEL PUMP, AND THE INSULATION ON THE POWER WIRES THEMSELVES. THE BARE WIRES WERE EXPOSED AT THE CONNECTION. THE WIRING HARNESS WAS STIFF FROM THE CONNECTOR OF THE FUEL PUMP TO THE RUBBER SEAL ON THE BODY.

Mileage: 130,000

BRAKE LIGHT BULBS ARE INSTALLED IN PLASTICS THAT ARE MELTED QUICKLY BY THE TIME WHICH CREATES FIRE RISK. I OPENED BOTH BRAKE LIGHT BULBS AND SAW THAT BOTH SIDES ARE MELTED IN PLASTICS ARE COMPLETELY BLACK AROUND FROM THE HEAT. MY CAR HAS UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT TURNS TONS OF LIGHTS AND ERRORS IN MY DASHBOARD COMPUTER, THEN LATER ON THEY GO AWAY. AND ALSO I SMELL BURNING SMELL SOMETIMES. I BELIEVE ALL RELATED TO BRAKES BULBS ARE BURNING THE INSERTS OR SOMEHOW THIS MODEL OF BMW HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. LAST TIME ON 1/28/2020 WHEN WE WERE DRIVING FROM NJ TO CT ON 95, CAR LOST ALL OF DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND DETAILS INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER, TACOMETER, MILES, SINGALS ETC, ALL DIED AND TONS OF ERROR MESSAGE POPED UP. BUT CAR DROVE JUST FINE.

Mileage: 130,000

VEHICLE STARTED SMOKE FROM ENGINE AREA AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT NORMAL SPEED. I PULLED OVER AND GOT MYSELF AND CHILD OUT OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE PRECEDED TO BURN AND WAS FULLY ENGULFED. FIRE FIGHTERS EXTINGUISHED FIRE.

Mileage: 103,000

KEPT GETTING MAIL ABOUT A RECALL MY CAR HAD DIDNT THINK IT WAS THAT IMPORTANT SO I STALLED THE PROCESS A LITTLE UNTIL I KEPT GETTING MAIL NON STOP ABOUT THE MATTER SO I FINALLY FIND THE TIME TO TAKE MY CAR TO GET THE RECALL DONE OF COURSE I IMAGINED IT WILL BE A WALK IN THE PARK DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS FREE OF CHARGE , SO AFTER I GET THE RECALL DONE FOR FUEL PUMP AND AIRBAGS I PICK VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE FINE , NEXT DAY COMES MY CAR LEAVES ME STRANDED ON A RANDOM BLOCK AND COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN ON ME , WHAT MAKES MATTERS WORST NOW IM STUCK SOMEWHERE AND HAVE TO GET A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE ME SOMEWHERE IM NOT BOTHERING OR MOVE ME OUT THE WAY , I CONTACT THE DEALER TEL THEM WHATS GOING ON THEY MAKE ME PAY A TOW TRUCK TO BRING THE CAR TO THEM AGAIN , SO I BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND LET THEM CHECK OVER THE WORK THEY JUST DID ON MY CAR BECAUSE I WASNT HAVING ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR BEFORE THIS LITERALLY NONE MAYBE A LIGHTBULB WENT OUT THAT WAS ABOUT IT NOTHING ELSE EVEN PASSES INSPECTION WITH FLYING COLORS , SO ANYWAYS PASS THAT NOW THEY TELLING ME THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM THAT THEY JUST WAS SUPPOSE TO REPLACE MIND YOU I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE AND IVE OWNED IT A FEW YEARS , SO NOW I GOT THIS RECALL DONE AND NOW THIS PROBLEM COMES UP , SO NOW I AGREE TO PAY THEM 1100$ JUST TO FIX SOMETHING THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE FREE WHICH IM NOT HAPPY ABOUT ONE BIT NOT ONLY THEY TAKE LONGER THEN THEY SUPPOSE TOO WORKING ON MY CAR BUT FEW DAYS AFTER I PAY THEM AND TAKE MY VEHICLE NOW THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN !! GET STRANDED SO NOW IM NOT THINKING GOING BACK BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD TO HAVE SOMETHING ELSE COME UP AND HAVE TO PAY ONCE AGAIN ! SO AS OF NOW I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR TO MY OWN PERSONAL MECHANIC SO HE CAN FIX A PROBLEM MY CAR NEVER HAD PRIOR TO THIS RECALL VISIT IM FURIOUS AND SPEND OVER 3000 TRYING TO CLEAN UP THE DEALERS MESS !

Mileage: 141,244

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO FUNCTION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BE USED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BIMMER CAR CARE (2017 WABASH AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60616) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

WATER LEAKAGE ON DRIVER SIDE REAR- AS WELL AS ACCUMULATING IN SPARE TIRE WELL SUBMERGING BATTERY IN 3 INCHES OF WATER. HI-FI AMPLIFIER - BLUETOOTH- NAVIGATION- RADIO- SOS DAMAGED FROM THIS. ALL WINDOWS SHUT AND VEHICLE FILLED WITH WATER.

Mileage: 106,000

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE DASHBOARD GIVE ERROR THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. CAR LOSES POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. PULLED OVER TO THE SIGN AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. SUBSEQUENTLY, ENGINE WILL NOT START OR CRANK AS IF BATTERY POWER IS LIST. ENGINE CAN BE RESTARTED WITH A JUMPER OR IF THE CAR IS LEFT FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTE TO AN HOUR, THE ENGINE WILL START WITHOUT A JUMPER.

Mileage: 10

WHILE DRIVING WITH THE HEAT ON, THERE'S A BURNING SMELL THAT COME THROUGH THE VENTS. CONTINUE DRIVING WITH HEAT ON LONG ENOUGH AND DESPITE THE SMELL, THE RIGHT SIDE(PASSENGER) BEGAN TO SMOKE, SO BAD YOU CANT SEE TO DRIVE... WHILE DRIVING AND YOU PRESS ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE, IT'S NOT A SMOOTH TRANSITION, U CANT BEAT A HONDA... WHILE DRIVING EVERY NOW AND THEN U HEAR A LOUD SCREECHING SOUND TILL YOU TURN YOUR CAR OFF... IN STATIONARY POSITION WITH THE CAR ON, ITS MAKES LOUD ENGINE RUNNING SOUNDS... THE CAR ALSO PULLS TO THE RIGHT... *TR

MY DASHBOARD LIGHT FLICK ENGINE , ABS,PARKING BREAK WILL SHUT OFF VEHICLE LESS THAN 10MIN DRIVING WITH CAUTION.

THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS NOVEMBER 15 2015. THE SHUT DOWN HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER SITTING 24 HOURS, THE VEHICLE REBOOTS AND WILL START - IT IS THEN GOOD FOR 7 DAYS UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS HAVE DIAGNOSED, BUT CANNOT IDENTIFY/DUPLICATE PROBLEM. BATTERY REPLACED, BUT DID NOT REMEDY ISSUE. FIRST OCCURRENCE, VEHICLE WAS AT COMPLETE STOP - VARIOUS MESSAGES ON NAV SCREEN (WARNINGS: TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION, WARNED IF VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, WILL NOT START AGAIN); ON DASH ALL LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. TURNED VEHICLE OFF, DID NOT START AGAIN, AS NOTED ON NAV SCREEN. NEXT DAY, STARTED WITH NO PROBLEM. TOWED TO SHOP, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE. DROVE ONE WEEK, THEN PARK BRAKE CAME ON. NEXT DAY, SAME ALERTS-THIS TIME WHILE DRIVING. DID NOT RESTART AFTER TURNING OFF. WAS ABLE TO START AFTER 24 HOURS, BUT COULD ONLY DRIVE A FEW FEET BEFORE TOTALLY SHUTTING DOWN IN MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHILE MAKE A U TURN. TOWED TO SHOP THAT NIGHT. NEXT MORNING, SHOP COULD NOT DUPLICATE, AS VEHICLE RAN SMOOTHLY. FOLLOWING WEEK, RETURNED TO SHOP FOR FURTHER TESTING. BATTERY REPLACED AND REGISTERED. WHEN PICKING UP VEHICLE, NOTICED NAV SCREEN WAS BLACK, WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. 4 DAYS LATER, IT CAME ON, BUT WENT OUT AGAIN THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE NEXT DAY, ENGINE SHUT DOWN ON INTERSTATE. WHILE WAITING FOR TOW, WIPERS CAME ON, DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS WOULD NOT WORK. COULD NOT ROLL DOWN WINDOW OR OPEN DOOR TO TALK TO SAFETY PATROL. PATROL JUMP STARTED VEHICLE. IT WAS LATER TOWED TO DEALER (WHERE PURCHASED). NAV SCREEN IS STILL BLACK, DVD AND CD DO NOT WORK (CD CHANGER SPITS OUT CDS). SHIFTS VERY HARD BETWEEN GEARS. I AM VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, AS IT CUTS OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT NOTICE. HOWEVER, I HAVE NO CHOICE, AS I RECENTLY PURCHASED IT IN AUGUST 2015; AND I HAVE TOO MUCH NEGATIVE EQUITY TO TRADE IT FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE.

Mileage: 82,881

ENGINE STALLED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. UNABLE TO RESTART CAR. EVERYTHING COMPLETELY LOCKED DOWN. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED.

Mileage: 126,000

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

Mileage: 91,848

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 IN PHILADELPHIA PENNSYLVANIA JUST NORTH OF THE AIRPORT MY VEHICLE SIMPLY SHUT OFF IN POST GAME RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AND THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAILED. IT WAS NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE THAT ME AND MY SON WERE NOT HARMED AND THAT WE WERE ABLE TO MUSCLE TO CAR OFF THE ROAD. THIS CAR HAD 66,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND ACCORDING TO BMW, AFTER MY CALL, WAS NOT PART OF THE 2008 X5'S VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THIS MODEL YEAR WITH NORMALLY ASPIRATED IN-LINE 6 CYLINDER ENGINES TO REPLACE THE LOW- PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS. INTERESTINGLY, IN THE BMW PRESS RELEASE DATED OCTOBER 26, 2010 - 1130 AM EDT THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD NOTIFIED THE NTSBA THAT THESE PUMPS FAIL ON MY MAKE AND MODEL OF WHICH THEY RECALLED 20,800 CARS, THE ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING AND THE DRIVER WILL LOSE POWER ASSIST FOR THE STEERING AND BRAKES. WOW, AT 50 MPH ON A SUPER HIGHWAY THAT WAS A NIGHTMARE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR

Mileage: 66,000

THE 2008 X5 3.0L STARTED TO SOUND LIKE A JET ENGINE WITH THE SUPER LOUD FAN NOISE. I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO BLOW UP. TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR, AND LUCKILY THE ENGINE HADN'T OVERHEATED YET. THEY FOUND THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS FAULTY, WHICH CAUSED THE WIRING TO BURN OUT, AND OBSERVED OIL LEAKAGE NEAR ENGINE. IF I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR ANY MORE, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE. BMW SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, AND OTHER PARTS INCLUDING GASKET SOMETHING. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 50,330

RIGHT REAR SUNROOF DRAIN DID NOT DRAIN PROPERLY CAUSING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION INCLUDING FAILURE OF ALL SAFETY AND DASH GAUGES - (INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE) ON INTERSTATE AT FREEWAY SPEED. REPAIRS EXCEED $1,500.00. *TR

Mileage: 77,800

MY CAR IS STOCK INSIDE MY GARAGE WITH A PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION ERROR. THE PARKING BRAKES WILL NOT RELEASE EVEN WHEN I TRIED MANUALLY. I HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I CALLED BMW US BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS TO FIX THIS COMMON PROBLEM WHICH MANY OWNER ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT. *TR

Mileage: 89,000

THE X5 DISPLAYED A DIGITAL MESSAGE ON THE DASH FRONT PANEL STATING: "LEFT BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTION". I REMOVED THE PANEL WHERE THE BACK TAIL LIGHTS ARE LOCATED AND FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S BRAKE LIGHT PLASTIC CARRIER, WHERE THE BULB SITS, WAS BURNT BROWN, MELTED AND CRACKED OPEN. I THEN PROCEEDED TO CHECK THE PASSENGER SIDE AND TO MY SURPRISE, I FOUND THAT THE SAME EXACT CIRCUMSTANCE HAD HAPPENED. I BELIEVE THE BULB IS TOO HOT AND TOO CLOSE TO THE PLASTIC CARRIER, CAUSING THE MELTING. IN MY OPINION, ON TOP OF MAYBE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT DUE THE MALFUNCTION OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS, IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE, THAT IN THE WORST CASE SCENARIO CAN CAUSE A FIRE. I BELIEVE THIS MATTER SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY THE AGENCY. I CALLED BMW AG, MANUFACTURERS AND THEY REPLIED THAT THEY DON'T HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. I OWE A 528I, 2010 AS WELL, AND I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER LAST WEEK TO TAKE IT BACK FOR, AS THEY STATED > THIS RECALL INVOLVES THE BULB CARRIER ("BULB HOLDER") WITHIN THE REAR LAMP. WITHIN THE BULB CARRIER, THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION DUE TO AGING AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES. I TOOK THE 528I TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND BOTH TAIL LIGHTS BULB CARRIERS WERE REPLACED, DUE TO THE RECALL NOTICE I RECEIVED, SO IT WAS FIXED TO STANDARDS. I TOOK 8 VERY CLEAR PICTURES OF THE MELTED PLASTIC BULB CARRIER OF THE X5, 2008, I CAN SEND YOU IF NEEDED, TO BACK UP MY COMPLAINT. THANKS FOR THE KIND ATTENTION YOU GIVE TO THIS MATTER AND HOPING TO HEAR FROM YOU IN A VERY NEAR FUTURE, I REMAIN, V/R, BMW X5, 2008, OWNER. *TR

Mileage: 52,543

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE DISPLAY THE MESSAGE THAT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WAS TOO HOT AND ADVISE ME TO PULL OVER. WITHIN 2 SECONDS, THE CAR SLOW ITSELF DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC DESPITE MY FOOT WAS PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE BMW AND IT TURN OUT THE WATER PUMP HAD STOP PUMPING WATER TO THE ENGINE, CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT. BMW CHARGED ME $1200 TO FIX IT BIT I FEEL LIKE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE SINCE A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEAL NUMEROUS PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS MINE. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT BMW DID ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL AS MINE BUT ONLY ON THE LESS POPULAR, BIGGER ENGINE VERSION. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO A LOCAL SHOP CONWAY MOTORS IN EVERETT, WA. CONWAY MOTORS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FUEL PUMP AND THE WIRING WAS BURNT CONNECTING THE FUEL PUMP. MARK AT CONWAY MOTORS CALLED BMW TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND WAS SURPRISED WHEN BMW PARTS IN SEATTLE STATED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL BUT THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM AND THERE HAD BEEN OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH BURNT WIRING CONNECTED TO THE FUEL PUMP. MARK ADVISED WE COULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND WE WERE LUCKY THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXPLODED. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS VEHICLE DAILY TO WORK AND BMW IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT HAS NOT DONE A RECALL IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND PUT MY WIFE'S LIFE IN DANGER.

Mileage: 80,000

I WAS LEFT STRANDED ON THE 695 BALTIMORE BELTWAY AFTER MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED AN OVER-HEATING SIGNAL IN MY DASH. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND A RED "ENGINE OVERHEATED" SIGNAL APPEARED ON MY DASH AND I WAS ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE LESS THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR TO MOVE TO SAFETY (IN THE MIDST OF MANY CARS FLYING BY ME DOING WELL OVER 65 MPH). VERY SCARY SITUATION. THE OTHER SCARY SITUATION IS THAT I AM 3,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE AND I FEEL THAT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY REPORTED INCIDENT OF THIS TYPE, BMW SHOULD REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT NO COST TO ME. A PART SUCH AS THIS SHOULD NOT FAIL AT 53000 MILES. *TR

Mileage: 65

I PURCHASED A 2008 X5 NEW IN OCT 07. IN SEPT 08 I STARTED TO HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. SQUEALING-LOW PEDAL,3 MAJOR BRAKE SYSTEM REPAIRS,1 MINOR REPAIR AND IT NEEDS TO BE TOWED IN AGAIN BECAUSE THE PROBLEM REMAINS. THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE SELLING DEALER ADVISED BMWUSA TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE DANGEROUS AND NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. BMWUSA MARKETING REFUSED-WHAT MECHANICAL EXPERTISE DO THEY POSSESS-NONE AND THEY CONTINUE TO PUT MY SAFETY IN DANGER AND IGNORE THE PROBLEM. JUST AN EXAMPLE IN OCT 2008 THE BRAKE PADS WERE 10MM-IN APRIL 09 THEY WERE 2MM AND BMW TOLD ME I WAS SAFE TO DRIVE 1700 MILES FROM FL TO NY. A FLORIDA DEALER HAD TO REPLACE EVERY ROTOR-PAD AND SENSOR,AND LESS THAN 2 WEEKS LATER THE REAR BRAKES AND SENSORS NEEDED REPLACEMENT AGAIN BUT SO MUCH FOR BMWUSA KNOWING ANYTHING OR CARING. THESE PEOPLE ARE USELESS AND DANGEROUS--DO NOT BUY AN X5 FROM THIS COMPANY,BECAUSE EVEN AFTER THEIR OWN SVC MANAGER STATES TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND DON'T GIVE A [XXX] ABOUT YOUR SAFETY. STAY AWAY FROM BMW. DAMAGE RESULTING = THIS CAR COST ALMOST 60K, THE KIDS FINISHED COLLEGE SO IT WAS TIME TO BUY A CAR I ALWAYS WANTED--IM OUT ALL THIS MONEY,CANT DRIVE THE CAR WITH THIS PROBLEM AND BMW CARES LESS--SINCE WHEN SHOULD A MARKETING GUY MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS,AND THEN OVER THE ADVICE OF A TRAINED SERVICE MANAGER. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 14,900

2008 BMW X5 HAS A FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR PUMP AND BATTERY. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STOPPED AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AFTER THE FUEL PUMP WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD AGAIN THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE SUNROOF WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE CAMERA USED THAT GIVES GUIDANCE WHEN BACKING OUT OF SPACES WAS INOPERATIVE AS WELL. *JB

MY 2008 BMW X5 IS REPORTING HIGH BATTERY DRAIN AND IT'S ONLY 13 MONTHS OLD WITH 5,000 MILES. THE DEALER STATES THE ISSUE IS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN AT LEAST 25 MILES A DAY. IF THIS IS A REQUIREMENT TO OWNING THE VEHICLE IT WAS NEVER MENTIONED WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. MY OWN RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET INDICATES THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW. YET THE ONLY SOLUTION OFFERED IS TO REPLACE THE BATTERY PREMATURELY AS IT FAILS OR HOOK THE BATTERY UP TO A TRICKLE CHARGER EVERY NIGHT. AS STATED ABOVE, I WAS NEVER INFORMED THIS IS A REQUIREMENT OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. I REALIZE THIS IS NOT AN IMMEDIATE OR IMPENDING SAFETY THREAT. HOWEVER, BMW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO FINDING A SOLUTION FOR THE CONSUMER OR RECALLING THE VEHICLE SO WE HAVE SOME RECOURSE. *TR

Mileage: 5,000