2008 BMW 7 Series: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 BMW 7 Series: 1 recall, 11 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.

Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #10V446000 · 2010 · 198,352 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on November 24, 2010.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Body & structure (2): the most common themes are door / lock issues (2).
- Equipment (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Wheels (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2008 BMW 7 Series has 11 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 17 7 Series model years for complaints (1.5× the average 7 Series year). Complaints peaked in 2010 (4 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 86,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (13 complaints, 1 recalls), 2009 (9 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | Premium |
| 6.0 L 12-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 20 | 15 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 BMW 7 Series.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 BMW 7 Series have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2008 BMW 7 Series. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 BMW 7 Series problems?
Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (3), body & structure (2), equipment (1).
What gas mileage does the 2008 BMW 7 Series get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.8 L, Automatic (S6)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 BMW 7 Series repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.