BMW X5 Complaints (2008)

235 consumer complaints on file.

#10395755April 13, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE SEAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE SEAT SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT HE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369673December 8, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN THE VEHICLE STALLED. SHE STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED MORE FUEL THAN WHAT WAS IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FUEL SENSOR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 39,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351516August 24, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR SURGES CONTINUOUSLY AFTER TAKING OFF FROM A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD UNTIL IT STOPS. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT OF THIS AUTO. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY. IT IS SPORADIC. SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE, AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY BMW'S REPAIR DEPARTMENT THAT THEY KNOW OF NO SUCH PROBLEM, THEN THEY ADMITTED THEY DID KNOW OF THE PROBLEM, BUT IT WAS A "SOFTWARE" ISSUE AND NO DOWNLOAD WAS AVAILABLE FOR ME, AND THEN EVENTUALLY THE DEALERSHIP STOPPED RETURNING MY CALLS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10345141July 25, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 60MPH AND SUDDENLY LOST ENGINE POWER. MY SUV STARTED SLOWING AND FELT LIKE CAR WAS LOCKING UP IE. STEERING WHEEL WAS HARDER TO MOVE. PUSHING ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT BRING ANY SPEED BACK TO SLOWING SUV. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO RIGHT SIDE SHOULDER FROM MIDDLE LANE AND CALLED BMW ASSIST FOR HELP. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO HELP AT MY LOCATION IN WISCONSIN AT 8PM BUT DID CALL POLICE TO KEEP TRAFFIC AWAY FROM US (MYSELF AND 5 YOUNG CHILDREN) UNTIL A FRIEND CAME TO PICK US UP. THE CAR HAD TO REMAIN OVERNIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY UNTIL A FLATBED TRUCK WAS AVAILABLE TO TAKE IT AWAY THE FOLLOWING MORNING. ONCE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF IT WOULD NOT RESTART AND NEEDED 2 MEN TO MOVE IT WHICH IS WHY IT COULDN'T BE TAKEN AWAY THAT EVENING. ONCE TAKEN TO THE BMW DEALER, INTERNATIONAL AUTOS IN MILWAUKEE, WI, THEY TOLD ME THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED AND THEY REPLACED IT. THE 2008 BMW X5 3.0SI HAD A LITTLE OVER 33,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER REPLACEMENT OF FUEL PUMP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331266May 19, 2010
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH AT NIGHT, ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A MODULAR SHORT DUE TO A CLOGGED DRAIN IN THE SUNROOF. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY SINCE LEAVES AND ACORNS CLOGGED THE DRAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 17,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10328011April 29, 2010
PARKING BRAKE
2008 BMW X5 3.0SI WITH RECURRING "PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTIONS" SINCE SUMMER 2009 LEADING TO FAILURE TO ENGAGE PARKING BRAKE WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT IN PARK INCREASING RISK OF "ROLLING" AND IN SEVERAL INCIDENTS RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE WHEN PLACED INTO DRIVE REQUIRING MANUAL RELEASE OF PARKING BRAKE AND LATER "REPAIR" BY BMW SERVICE CENTER WITH NO RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM . THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN INCREASING OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS WITH LAST FULL INCIDENT ON 4/12/10 AND AGAIN ON 4/20/10. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10308594February 10, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE GEAR SHIFTING/TRANSMISSION IN MY 2008 3.0 X5 IS AN ONGOING AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM FROM DAY 1. THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE RELIABLY AND I HAVE HAD MANY NEAR COLLISIONS. I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO BMW SERVICE (PORT CHESTER, NY) SINCE SEPT. 3 2008. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW AT THE END OF MAY 2008. BMW SERVICE TOLD ME BMW USA WAS AWARE AND THERE WAS A "SOFTWARE UPDATE" COMING THE BEGINNING OF OCT WHICH SHOULD ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED THE SERVICE CENTER IN OCT AND WAS TOLD NO UPDATE WAS RELEASED YET. I CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA ON OCT 6 AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A SYSTEM UPDATE RELEASED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND THEY WOULD CONTACT THE SERVICE CENTER MANAGER. I LEFT SEVERAL MESSAGES BEFORE HE RETURNED MY CALL. THE UPDATE WAS INSTALLED ON OCT 14, 2008. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO IMPROVEMENT TO THE HESITATION/STALLING. ON EACH SUBSEQUENT SERVICE VISIT I COMPLAINED OF THIS SAME ISSUE. EACH TIME THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM. I HAD A TEST DRIVE WITH THE REPAIR FOREMAN WHO ADMITTED THAT BMW WAS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. IT WAS A NEW SYSTEM THAT WAS DESIGNED TO GET BETTER GAS MILEAGE AND WAS "REACTIVE" TO THE OWNERS DRIVING STYLE. IT WAS NOT WORKING AND THEY DID AWAY WITH IT FOR NEW VEHICLES. THE REPAIR FOREMAN HAS SEEN MANY 2008 3.0 X5'S WITH THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD A SECOND UPDATE WAS COMING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. ON SEPT 28, 2009 THE UPDATE WAS DONE UPDATE, WHICH AGAIN DID NOTHING. I ADVISED BMW I WAS FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THIS AGENCY.WITHIN A FEW DAYS SOMEONE CALLED TO SAY THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND SERVICE MANAGER WOULD CALL. I NEVER HEARD FROM ANYONE AGAIN AT BMW SERVICE. I HAD A NEAR MISS ACCIDENT AGAIN. BMW IS HIDING THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM FROM THE PUBLIC!! INTERESTINGLY, WHEN I COMPLAIN, BMW DOES NOT ENTER THE COMPLAINT INTO THEIR SYSTEM, BUT ALWAYS SAY THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT. ARE THEY HIDING THESE COMPLAINTS? PLEASE HELP ME BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10296056December 16, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN
THE 2008 BMW X5 3.0I HAS MAJOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES WHICH SEVERELY AFFECTS THE THROTTLE RESPONSE TIME AND GEARS SLIPS OCCASIONALLY. WHILE DRIVING ON HIGH WAY VEHICLE WILL NOT RESPOND TO GAS PADDLE AND GEARS SLIP AND MAKE METAL NOISES. ALSO WHEN VEHICLE STARTS FROM A STOP, GEARS SLIP AND IT MOVES THE VEHICLE BACKWARD AS IF IT IS IN REVERSE 'R' GEAR AND YOU HAVE TO HIT BRAKES THEN IT WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH A SEVERE JERK. SIMILAR GEAR SLIPPING HAPPENS WHILE STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE HESITATION AND GEAR SLIP ARE BIG SAFETY ISSUE AS VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE FAST ENOUGH AS NEEDED (WHILE MERGING ON HIGHWAY RAMP OR CHANGING LANES) AND COULD GET IN TO A SIDE OR REAR COLLISION. SIMILARLY WHEN STARTING FROM STOP THE SUDDEN BACKWARD MOVEMENT COULD RESULT IN CRASH WITH VEHICLE MOVING BEHIND. THE DEALER SAID IT IS HAPPENS WITH X5 AS IT A HEAVY VEHICLE, WHICH NO BODY WOULD BUY AS A JUSTIFIABLE REASON FOR A PREMIUM LUXURY VEHICLE. THESE ISSUES HAPPEN EVERYDAY AND AFFECT THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE ON ROADS. THESE ISSUES SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND BMW SHOULD RECALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293786November 28, 2009
POWER TRAIN
THE X5 DOES NOT RESPONSE WELL TO THROTTLE INPUTS. HESITATION IS EXTREMELY PRONOUNCED AT ALL TIMES. THE HESITATION FEELS LIKE STALLING. NOT SURE IF THIS IS CAUSED BY THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, SOFTWARE OR SOME OTHER REASONS. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS IN REGULAR "D" MODE BUT IT ALSO HAPPENS IN THE MANUAL MODE AT TIMES. PASSING AND MERGING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC SHOULD BE AVOIDED BECAUSE THE X5 COULD RECEIVE REAR-ENDED ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE SUDDEN HESITATION. HAD MANY NEAR-MISSES AND SUSPECT EVENTUALITY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292438November 16, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CAR ENGINE DIED WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MILES/HR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10270238May 28, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, PARKING BRAKE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268129May 6, 2009
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, EQUIPMENT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255538January 19, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243448September 25, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 X5 WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228815May 24, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPMENT
THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSIONS ON THE BMW X3 MODEL. I HAVE HAD A 2007 AND NOW A 2008, THE 2007 BOUGHT BACK BY BMW DUE TO MAJOR ISSUES. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT REACTIVE, AND CAUSES MAJOR HESITATION, DELAYED SHIFTING, AND AWKWARD RESPONSES FROM THE THROTTLE WHICH IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WHEN MERGING OR PASSING ETC. THE CAR DOES NOT GET UP TO SPEED, AND AT TIMES LITERALLY "CHOKES" WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS SOMEONE BEHIND YOU CAN JUST BEGIN TO ACCELERATE AND PLOW RIGHT INTO YOU. BMW HAS NO FIXES FOR THIS ISSUE AT THE MOMENT; OTHERS PER A BMW FORUM HAVE ALSO LET YOUR OFFICE KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. BMW BASICALLY DOES NOT CONSIDER IT A SAFETY ISSUES, BUT IT DEFINITELY IS. THIS OCCURS ALL THE TIME, AND THE MANUFACTURER SAYS THERE ARE NO ENGINE SOFTWARE UPDATES (LAST ONE DID NOTHING) TO RECTIFY THE ISSUES. THIS IS AN INHERENT DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE AND IT IS DANGEROUS. THIS SYSTEM DOES NOT LET YOU SELECT AN X3 MODEL. IT IS A BMW X3. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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