At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. Confirm by VIN that the repair was completed before driving or buying this car. The fix is free at a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Airbags recall
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until this remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Do not drive until repaired. A dealer fixes this free of charge.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Do not drive until repaired. A dealer fixes this free of charge.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Do not drive until repaired. A dealer fixes this free of charge.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or air bag module, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Do not drive until repaired. A dealer fixes this free of charge.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Engine recall
Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Engine recall
If the idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the idler pulley bolt with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Engine recall
If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Engine recall
An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Fuel system recall
The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Fuel system recall
The fuel filter heater could remain activated even when the ignition is off and lead to a dead battery. The unit could also overheat, possibly resulting in a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter heater, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 26, 2013. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Engine recall
THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.
- Remedy
- BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Exterior lighting recall
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108.
- Remedy
- BMW WILL INSTALL POWER SUPPLY CABLES FOR THE FRONT SIDE MARKER LAMPS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Body & glass recall
IN THE CASE OF A ROLLOVER, THE STABILITY OF THE ROOF COULD BE AFFECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
- Remedy
- BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUTHORIZED DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE WINDSHIELD AND THEN REINSTALL WITH THE PROPER BONDING FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
60
Most reports here involve sudden stalling.
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2010 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and was pulled over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, after the recall repair was performed, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the recall repair indicated that a diagnostic test was required to determine that an engine failure was a direct result of a fractured VANOS bolt. The contact stated that the dealer declined a diagnostic test or the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,000.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11752151 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
13
Most reports here involve sudden stalling.
Read full complaint
Headlight wiring loom insulation on both passenger and driver sides degrading heavily to the point of disintegration on touch. My driver side headlights have stopped working despite best attempts at isolating wires. I have received multiple headlight(low/DRL) warnings and errors because of this issue. It has been verified by countless independent mechanics and hobbyists on this generation of car with no aftermarket or OE solutions. I have since almost collided with objects in the road while driving at night due to this faulty manufacturing. I also fear for an electrical fire which is bound to happen due to exposed wiring. This has been happening for a few months with no improvement and further degradation. I have not had it inspected by BMW.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11441212 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
1
Most reports here involve loss of braking.
Read full complaint
THE EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE HAS FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MODULE (EMF) WAS REPLACED ONCE 2012 BY BMW UNDER WARRANTY. IT APPEARS TO HAVE FAILED AGAIN. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SHOULD NOT BE FAILING THIS OFTEN. BMW WENT TO THE ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE AND JUDGING FROM OTHER COMPLAINS ONLINE, THE MODULES AND OTHER COMPONENT FAIL FREQUENTLY.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10855687 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
8
Most reports here involve loss of steering.
Read full complaint
Bridgestone Dueler 255/50R19 107H runflat, DOT EJVUDJE2013 Tire failure: local tread separation in a valley between road contact ridges. Tread separation from underlying belts suggest manufacturing defect. No human life was in danger due to early detection of the fault
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11432658 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
33
Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
Front passenger seat occupancy mat (OC3) problem safety code. Supplemental Restraint System (SRS/AIR BAG SYSTEM) I contacted BMW OF NORTH AMERICA and they stated my 2010 BMW X5 is to old, one way to look at it. I requested assistance and BMW will not help out. I am the original owner and MY VEHICLE is garage kept. This air bag will not deploy and the passenger could be killed and or injured in a accident.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11421568 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
3
Most reports here involve fire.
Read full complaint
Sunroof drains - front and back overflow and drone down the pillars into the front and rear electronic boxes. A KNOW PROBLEM for this BMW. I want BMW to repair and fix this problem. Water damaged control boxes are thousands of dollars. This problem should be a recall! BMW was sued in 2018 and settled the case. I am unable to file a claim for this now. I recently moved from Southern CA to New Orleans LA. There is a lot mor torrential rain here. Never had a problem in Southern CA.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11495482 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
6
Most reports here involve other issues.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11758461 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 124 complaints on file, fewer than the 2011 (263). Of the 17 model years of the BMW X5 we cover, the 2012 has the most (271). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.