This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
2008 BMW X5 with 49K miles was traveling at 65 mph on freeway when yellow engine overheat warning came on along with instruction to drive moderately. After 20 seconds, red alert came on indicating engine overheated and car stalled to 20 mph on busy freeway. The car was stopped on side of freeway and allowed to cool down for 10 minutes. When car was restarted, same warnings came on, and car had to be stopped. The breakdown cause was diagnosed to a failed water pump.
Will in the middle lane of 3 lanes of traffic, the yellow engine overheat light appeared. Within a few minutes that yellow light turned to red engine overheat, turn off the vehicle to cool down. I did my best to exit the highway and pull over without causing an accident. I waited nearly 2 hours before I could get towed off to the side of the highway. I had the vehicle diagnosed and the BMW of austin dealership advised I will need a water pump replaced to the tune of $766!! since my car has over 50K miles, I am outside the warranty. I know there was a recall for the 2010-2011 V8 version of the same car I have for the same faulty part--electric water pump. I believe this same failure affects my 2008 4.8I X5 sav. Please do something to help those of us who have put our lives at risk on highways with this sudden water pump failures.
Check engine light came on - vehicle stalled abruptly. After some minutes waiting for the car to cool down, the vehicle was able to drive to a nearby parking area. The vehicle would not go further. Contacted nearest dealer who was 345 miles away. They agreed to tow the vehicle to get it fixed. The problem was a faulty water pump. The water pump, coolant and thermostat were replaced under warranty. We paid a deductible and the car was repaired. Judging by the number of complaints about this issue and the existing recall for the same vehicle model years 2010-2011, BMW should extend the recall to all affected E70 (X5) models including this 2008 one. We should not have to pay a deductible on what is clearly a dangerous defect. Had the vehicle been traveling on the highway at speed, an accident could have occurred given the way it stalled.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated with a message stating that the engine was overheating. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis where it was confirmed that the water pump failed. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 36,494. Updated 03/20/13 the consumer stated the failure might be related to recall campign number 11V-521: Electric auxiliary water pump. Updated 05/08/2013
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, he heard a loud noise coming from the engine and the vehicle stalled. The contact mentioned that the vehicle overheated and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician stated that the water pump and thermostat had to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V521000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 28,000.
- Lawrence , NY, USA
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The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the check engine light illuminated as the engine overheated and caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who advised that the electric auxiliary water pump and the thermostat needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact that there were no recalls for the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the engine warning indicator continuously illuminated. The contact maneuvered to the shoulder where the engine was shut down. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the failure was contributed to the water pump and thermostat. The vehicle was currently being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. While driving approximately 55 mph, the engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road and turned the engine off. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who advised that the water pump would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 26,734.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated that the vehicle overheated and lost power. The failure recurred three times before the contact had reached his destination. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis where the dealer advised the contact that the water pump would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 54,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Austin, TX, USA