2008 BMW X5 Fuel/propulsion System Problems

NHTSA component category: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · data through 07/14/2026

29Fuel/propulsion System complaints

13.5%Of all 215 complaints

#4Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How fuel/propulsion system ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE66 · 30.7%

AIR BAGS65 · 30.2%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM33 · 15.3%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM29 · 13.5%

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING15 · 7%

Share of the 215 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2008 BMW X5 overview page.

What owners report

“IN OCTOBER OF 2015 WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN VERY SLOWLY INTO A ONE LANE DRIVE THRU, MY BMW X5 ACCELERATED CLIMBED UP A 2…”NHTSA complaint 10794764 — filed 11/18/2015

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND ENGAGED INTO LIMP MODE…”NHTSA complaint 10578323 — filed 04/08/2014

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Fuel/propulsion System complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 BMW X5 have fuel/propulsion system problems?

Fuel/propulsion System is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2008 BMW X5: 29 of 215 complaints on file (13.5%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2008 BMW X5 have in total?

215 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 2 involved a crash, 12 involved a fire, 0 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's fuel/propulsion system category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.