The 2008 BMW M5 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 501,782 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
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.
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…
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
1fires
ENGINE
2
1fires
AIR BAGS
1
1crashes
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
1
1crashes
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
1fires
POWER TRAIN
1
SEATS
1
SERVICE BRAKES
1
STEERING
1
Total complaints12
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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.”
“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.”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2008 BMW M5 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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