2008 BMW M5 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 M5.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 12V126000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. 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).
What could happen: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 M5.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 13V407000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
Summary: 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).
Consequence: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 2008 BMW M5 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (2), Electrical system (2), Steering (1), Electronic Stability Control (esc) (1), Brakes (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
04/26/2021 · Engine · fire
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. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SCREAM TO HIM THAT THERE WAS FIRE COMING FROM UNDERN…
06/08/2020 · 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. I HAVE SEVERAL VEHICLES SO I DID NOT DRIVE THIS CAR AND COULD NOT GET REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY DUE TO COVID-19. I AM NOT SURE THE EXACT DATE I…
09/27/2019 · Electrical system · fire
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. APPEARS MANY MANY OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP.
03/25/2018 · Transmission / drivetrain
VANOS, ENGINE
07/08/2015 · Electrical system
THE SUNROOF DRAINS OF MY VEHICLE OVERFILL OR CLOG CAUSING WATER TO LEAK IN THE TRUNK AND WHEEL WELL. THE CARS WHEEL WELL HOLDS THE CARS BATTERY, RDC, AND PDC MODULES. SURROUNDED BY FOAM WHEN WATER REACHES THE MODULES THEY ARC AND SPARK CAUSING THEM TO HEAT UP AND MELT. ALSO LOCATED IN THE TRUNK IS SEVERAL OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS XM RADIO AMP, ETC. IF NO…
10/06/2014 · Airbags · crash
ON SEPT 25, 2014, I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 BMW M5 AND TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN I WAS HIT FROM THE REAR, SHOVED ON TOP AND OVER A MEDIAN AND INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM THE REAR AND THEN STRUCK AGAIN FROM THE FRONT. I DO NOT KNOW HOW FAST THE DRIVER THAT HIT ME WAS GOING, HOWEVER, NONE OF MY AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE WERE DEPLOYED. I AM…