TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH, AN ABNORMAL LOUD NOISE COULD BE HEARD FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V311000 (POWER TRAIN). THE …
2008 BMW X5 powertrain problems
moderate 24 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Seat Calibration; Airbag/Seat Belt Tensioner, level control system malfunction etc
WHEN ENGINE IS COLD, CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. IT MUST BE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE BEFORE IT WILL SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS IN AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2007. THE GEAR SHIFT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER, 2008. THE DEALER DOWNLOADED ALL THE SOFTWARE RELATED TO GEAR SHIFTING AND RE-LOADED IT. THE SHIFT WORKED ABOUT ONE MONTH UNTIL IT HAPP…
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 FORWAR…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2008 BMW X5?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 24 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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