Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by 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 air bag that does not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the instrument panel trim, free of charge. The vehicles have not been sold from dealer inventory and therefore, no owner letters will be mailed. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 4, 2025.
- 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
Water inside electrical components can lead to electronic function failures, such as a loss of headlights, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an electrical short-circuit may occur, increasing the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the windshield seal. If any leaks are detected, the seal will be repaired and vehicle control units and wiring will be replaced as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. 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.
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
6
Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 8 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
Driving on highway using assisted driving pro (hands off steering wheel and feet off pedals). Speed set for 65 or 67. Driver's phone call came up on display screen. Passenger answered and hung up on screen. Driver did not touch wheel. Car started accelerating. Reached 93 mph before realized what was happening and able to apply brakes. Short time later tried to reengage speed and verbally requested increase to 65 or 67. Car set cruise control to 110. Both passengers heard 65 or 67, definitely not 110. Applied brake and didn't use any driver assistance controls for remainder of trip. Nice weather, no glare, light traffic. Software update was installed the day before. BMW dealership found no problem. National BMW consumer line suggested setting speed manually with buttons on steering wheel instead of verbally.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11761698 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
7
Most reports here involve software faults.
Read full complaint
I was driving at 70 mph on the highway when the car suddenly and without warning went into neutral, lost all functionality, and displayed the warning "Drivetrain Malfunction--Stop Driving Immediately--Call Roadside Assistance." I had to drift (barely) to side of a busy highway and exit the vehicle to get to safety. The dealer review of fault codes include: High-voltage system: No voltage established; No communication possible with: Accumulator-management electronics; SME: Software action required; Function: Acceleration not possible; Function: It is not possible to establish the drive-ready state; Drive function: Repair measure will soon be necessary. This happened on XXX around noon on XXX in [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11757606 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
5
Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
Car braked without warning while going around a curve and came to a complete stop in the middle of the road with no good reason. Traffic going the opposite direction was heavy but no hazards on my side of the road. Cars behind me had to swerve and I was nearly rear ended and could have resulted in very serious injury.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11763588 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
1
Most reports here involve other issues.
Read full complaint
The driver’s door lock has malfunctioned for the second time. The door became stuck in the locked position and could not be opened normally. There were no warning lights or messages indicating a problem with the door latch or lock system. This creates a serious safety hazard because the driver could be unable to exit the vehicle during an emergency. The right rear passenger seat belt also does not retract properly and cannot be used. The vehicle has previously been taken to a BMW dealership for this same issue, but the problem has returned. Because the seat belt cannot be used, a rear passenger cannot be properly restrained, creating a significant safety risk in the event of a crash.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11752936 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
2
Most reports here involve electrical shorts.
Read full complaint
2026 BMW X5 plug-in hybrid. Driver front and rear-left doors unexpectedly opened/unlatched while driving at freeway speeds. No dashboard warning before event. Problem has occurred multiple times. Vehicle presents serious occupant safety hazard. Dealer has not permanently resolved issue. 2 times dropped off at dealer but issues still there . Happened multiple times in the first monh after we bought the car , brought to dealer no resolved ,
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11744349 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
1
Most reports here involve other issues.
Read full complaint
The trim on the back of the exhaust is a rough manufactured cut on all their X5s and instead of filing the rough the edge BMW leaves this untouched. Was washing my car and ran my finger over the trim and it sliced my finger open like a razor blade.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11762046 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2026 has 22 complaints on file, fewer than the 2025 (61). 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.