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2008 Bmw X5 Lights Problems

13 owner-reported lights complaints from NHTSA data

13
Complaints
2
Fires
Mar 2016Dec 2017
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (13)

highEXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2025

Your airbag warning light is illuminated for the passenger side, and you're experiencing fuel injector problems. You've noticed flickering lights and previously dealt with smoking issues that required repair. This may indicate issues with the airbag system, fuel injection system, and electrical lighting that should be diagnosed by a mechanic.

NHTSA #: 11667236
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
FireFiled: Dec 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LIGHT HAD MALFUNCTIONED. AFTER REMOVING THE BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BULB HOUSING HAD MELTED AND WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALER BMW OF HENDERSON, 261 AUTO MALL DR. HENDERSON, NV. WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT THAT ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA #: 11057278
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Apr 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA #: 10979770
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jun 2016

I OPENED THE DRIVERS SIDE PANEL TO REPLACE THE BULBS BUT FOUND THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING WAS BURNED AND MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER LOOKING OVER OTHER LIGHTENING COMPLAINTS, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2008 BMW X5 AND A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY BMW BEFORE THERE ARE ANY FIRES AS A RESULT OF THE DEFECTIVE TAIL LIGHT HOUSING

NHTSA #: 10881530
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Mar 2016

FRAUD ACTIVITY POSSIBLE CLONE REFINANCED IDENTITY THEFT REMOTE ACCESS WAS PUT ON UNAUTHORIZED THREAT SAFETY FOR OWNER. TWO LOAN START DATES ONE IN REPO

NHTSA #: 10852388
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2015

I WAS TOLD BY THE BMW DEALER, MY DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE BULB SOCKET IS MELTED TO THE HOUSING BECAUSE OF THE BULB HEATING UP AND I NEED TO REPLACE BOTH SIDES HOUSING, THE BULB CAN NOT BE REMOVED BECAUSE THE SOCKET IS MELTED TO THE HOUSING. I CAN NOT EVEN CHANGE MY BLOWN BULB AND IT IS GIVEN ME A BLOWN BULB SIGNAL ON MY DASH BOARD?

NHTSA #: 10807972
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jun 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WIRES WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA #: 10725576
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2014

A BRAKE LAMP MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH BOARD FOR THE RIGHT TAIL LIGHT, THE MECHANIC OPENED THE PANEL TO REPLACE THE BULBS BUT FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING WAS BURNED AND MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER LOOKING OVER OTHER LIGHTENING COMPLAINTS, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2008 BMW X5 AND A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. IT IS ALSO EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE, MY MECHANIC IS QUOTING OVER $600 FOR ONE SIDE AND I FEAR I WILL HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE OTHER SIDE. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY BMW BEFORE THERE ARE ANY FIRES AS A RESULT OF THE DEFECTIVE TAIL LIGHT HOUSING. *JS

NHTSA #: 10661783
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Aug 2014

I HAD THE LIGHT BULB SENSOR ILLUMINATE IN MY CAR. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALER FOR LIGHT BULB REPLACEMENT. THE REAR PARKING BRAKE LENSES ARE FUSED TO THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT BULBS. THE LIGHT BULB CAN NOT BE REMOVED. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF THIS LENS CATCHING ON FIRE THERE ARE MARKS ON THE LENS COVER THAT SHOWS THIS. I SPOKE TO BMW NORTH AMERICA AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IT COULD CATCH ON FIRE. I CAN NOT REPLACE THE BULB WITHOUT REPLACING BOTH LENSES. MY CAR WILL NOW NOT PASS INSPECTION IN MY STATE DUE TO THIS ISSUE.. *TR

NHTSA #: 10626886
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
FireFiled: Dec 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED. THE BULB HOLDER HAD TURNED BLACK AND WAS SLIGHTLY MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,200.

NHTSA #: 10557295
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Nov 2013

THE REAR BACK-UP LAMP OUTAGE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON MY DASHBOARD. I ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE BULB AND SAW THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD BEEN BURNT AROUND THE BROWN WIRE. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND SAW THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES TO OTHER WITH THE SAME YR MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEAL WHO IN TURN REFERRED ME TO CONTACT BMW NORTH AMERICA. I RECEIVED AN E-MAIL RESPONSE FROM THEM SAYING THAT THERE IS A RECALL IN PROCESS AND TO WAIT 4-6 WEEKS. THE PROBLEM, IS THAT MY TAIL LIGHT IS NOT WORKING. IT IS UNFORTUNATE THIS CANNOT BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY. I WANT TO ENSURE THAT I AM INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. *TR

NHTSA #: 10552147
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Oct 2012

MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE OUT. BMW HAS INDICATED THAT BOTH SOCKETS HAVE MELTED TO THE POINT THAT THEY CAN'T REMOVE ANYTHING WITHOUT BREAKING THINGS. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME THING AND FIRES HAVE STARTED. WORTH INVESTIGATING! *TR

NHTSA #: 10482336
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Sep 2012

A BRAKE LAMP MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH BOARD FOR, AT FIRST THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHT, THEN LATER THE RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT. I OPENED THE PANEL TO REPLACE THE BULBS ONLY TO FIND THAT IN BOTH SIDES, THE BRAKE LIGHT HOUSINGS WERE MELTED BECAUSE THE BULBS WERE SO HOT. THE TAILLIGHT HOUSING WERE BURNED BLACK AND MELTED. THIS WAS LESS THAN AN INCHES FROM THE ELECTRICAL WIRING. I WAS SURPRISED THERE WASN'T A FIRE INSIDE BOTH PANELS. AS GOODWILL, AND TO RETAIN MY LOYALTY, BMW OF ALEXANDRIA REPLACED BOTH AT NO CHARGE. EACH ASSEMBLY COST $500, AND I NEEDED TWO. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CHECK TO ENSURE THIS IS NOT HAPPENING IN THEIR CAR BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10475278

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