NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints for the 2008 BMW M5. Most complaints involve engine (2) and electrical system (2). The EPA rates it 13 mpg combined.
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).
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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 UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PARKED, OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND NO MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING YARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED AND HE WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE LOCAL DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE HAD REPLACED THE ENGINE WHICH WOULD HAVE HAD APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE'S ODOMETER WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.”
“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.”
“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 IN WHICH THIS OCCURRED BUT DROPPED OFF TO ORANGE COUNTY BMW ON 5/19/2020. AFTER INSPECTION IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPLETE DSC UNIT (HYDRO / ELECTRIC) COMPLETELY FAILED. MEANING THERE WAS ALTERED STABILITY CONTROL, ABS BRAKING AND COME TO FIND OUT STEERING. THE STEERING SENSORS WERE DIAGNOSED AFTER THE NEW DSC UNIT WAS INSTALLED AND COULD NOT BE PROGRAMMED DUE TO FAULTY STEERING SENSORS. NOT ONLY WAS THIS SOMETHING EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO HAPPEN, IT WAS ALSO EXTREMELY COSTLY TO REPAIR. TO BMW'S CREDIT THEY DID COVER THE FAULTY STEERING SENSORS BUT THE DSC UNIT THAT KEEPS THE VEHICLE HEADING IN THE DIRECTION THAT YOU STEER THE CAR.....WAS NOT. I ATTACHED THE INVOICE FROM BMW CONFIRMING ALL THAT WAS STATED ABOVE. I AM SURE THIS HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THIS WAS DOCUMENTED. *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M5 Auto (S7), 10 cyl, 5.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 17 | 13 | $5,950 | 684 |
| M5 Man 6-spd, 10 cyl, 5.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 17 | 13 | $5,950 | 684 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (2), electrical system (2), steering (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2008 BMW M5 at 13 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).