VehicleVerdict

2008 BMW 7 Series problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 16 complaints on file for the 2008 BMW 7 Series — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

16

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other 7 Series years?

7 Series NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted42 complaints1995: 3 complaints1996: 1 complaints1997: 2 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 4 complaints2000: 2 complaints2001: 2 complaints2002: 5 complaints2003: 11 complaints2004: 35 complaints2005: 7 complaints2006: 42 complaints2007: 18 complaints2008: 16 complaints2009: 17 complaints2010: 2 complaints2011: 3 complaints2012: 4 complaints
7 Series NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 7 Series years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 BMW 7 Series problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags531%
Body & Structure213%
Tires & Wheels213%
Lighting16%
Other16%
Seat Belts16%
Seats16%
Transmission16%
Brakes16%
Latches & Locks16%

Does the 2008 BMW 7 Series have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V446000BrakesOctober 1, 2010 · 198,352 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Consequence

POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“2008 BMW 750I. CONSUMER STATES AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS T-BONED AT AN INTERSECTION BY A CAR WHO RAN A RED LIGHT AT OVER 45 MPH. *JB THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A FROM THE SPECIAL PRODUCT INVESTIGATION WHICH STATED THE IMPACT WAS A RELATIVELY LIGHT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 1, 1901 · crash

“DOOR OPEN LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AFTER HITTING BUMPS EVEN WHILE LOCKED .DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE AND LATCH AFTER STOPPING TO FUEL OR OTHER STOPS. HAVE TO HOLD CLOSED BY HAND TO GET HOME. THE CAR WAS JUST PURCHASED THE DAY THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED . SINCE THEN 3 TIMES IT HAS FAILED TO LATCH . IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 25, 2013

“CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING CONSUMER FRAUD *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PURCHASE WAS A SET OF CHROME WHEELS WHICH WAS A MAIL ORDER WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE DEFECTIVE AS THEY COULDN'T BE BALANCED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE COMPANY INSTRUCTED HIM TO SHIP THEM BACK VIA FEDERAL EXPRESS AT HIS EXPENSE. THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · January 1, 1901

“THE VERY SAME ISSUE THAT BMW HAS RECALLED THEIR 2006 - 2007 7 SERIES IS AFFECTING MY 2008 7 SERIES AND BMW IS REFUSING THE FIX THE ISSUE. HTTP://BRANDILAWBLOG.FILES.WORDPRESS.COM/2013/12/BMW-RECALL.PDF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT THAT DETERMINES IF AND HOW THE PASSENGER FRONTAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · June 2, 2014

“JUST HAD AN ACCIDENT IN MY BMW 750LI, FAILING TO COME TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT INTERSECTION AND HITTING REAR OF A FORD EXPLORER IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CENTER OF MY FRONT BUMPER. I HAD MY BRAKES JAMMED ON FOR OVER 10 FEET, GOING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED, BUT BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 1, 2010 · crash

2008 BMW 7 Series — common questions

Is the 2008 BMW 7 Series reliable?

The record is thin — 16 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2008 7 Series problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (5 complaints), body & structure (2 complaints), tires & wheels (2 complaints).

Does the 2008 BMW 7 Series have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2008 BMW 7 Series. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 BMW 7 Series under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which BMW 7 Series years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 7 Series years to avoid are 2006, 2004. The cleanest record among 7 Series years belongs to 1998.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.