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.
Engine recall
An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
- Remedy
- This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. 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
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with 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's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 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.
Engine recall
If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. 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.
Brakes recall
The loss of power assist in braking could increase stopping distance and lead to a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake vacuum line with one that contains a check valve, free of charge. The recall began during March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
- 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.
Steering recall
If the engine belt 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 and tighten the idler pulley bolt. The recall began on January 15, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
- 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
7
Most reports here involve software faults.
Read full complaint
REPAIRING THE TWIN-TURBO IN MY CAR AGAIN IN LESS THAN A YEAR. LAST YEAR THE HOSES WERE ALL REPLACED THIS YEAR THE DEALER SAYS ONE OF THE TWO TURBO UNITS IN THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (SMALLER ONE). THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING IT DID LAST YEAR LOSING POWER AND MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC. IF I AM AT A LIGHT, IT TAKES ABOUT HALF A BLOCK FOR IT TO ACCELERATE TO NORMAL SPEED. I ENDED UP HAVING THE CARE TOWED TO THE BMW DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THE TURBO HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM IN THE X5D. THE CAR IS JUST UNDER 85,000 ORIGINAL MILES AND SINCE I PURCHASED TWO YEARS AGO, HAVE LOGGED LESS THAN 20,000 MILES. .
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11054582 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
2
Most reports here involve fire.
Read full complaint
A KNOWN DEFECT OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT PARTITION/SEAL CAUSED OUTSIDE WATER TO ENTER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE WATER DRIPS AND ACCUMULATES OVER THE LAST FUEL INJECTORS, LEADING TO AN EVENTUAL SHORT. WHEN THE SHORT OCCURS, THE VEHICLE LOOSES ALL POWER. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF PREVENTING ACCELERATION, POWER STEERING NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL, POWER BRAKES NO LONGER ASSISTED. THE SHORT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED. FORTUNATELY, TRAFFIC WAS MINIMAL AND OTHER VEHICLES WERE ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND DRIVE AROUND MY VEHICLE, PREVENTING A COLLISION. *TR
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10936182 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
3
Most reports here involve loss of steering.
Read full complaint
LOST POWER STEERING AS CAR WAS DRIVING APPROX 50 MPH ON GARDEN STATE PARKWAY AT TOP OF BRIDGE OVER THE RARITAN RIVER. BATTERY WARNING CAME ON DASH, CAR LOST POWER AND THEN STOPPED. NO COLLISION OR INJURY. CAR WAS TOWED AND REPAIRED BY C&T TOWING AND AUTO REPAIR, RAHWAY NJ. DAMAGE OBSERVED WAS PARTIALLY MELTED IDLER PULLEY AND SHREDDED DRIVE BELT. REPAIR INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF DRIVE BELT, A.C. STRETCH BELT, IDLER PULLEY, DRIVE BELT TENSIONER AND SERPENTINE TENSIONER.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11104935 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
5
Most reports here involve software faults.
Read full complaint
THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD AN OPEN RECALL 18V-336 SINCE MAY OF 2018 . THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO PROVIDE A REMEDY TO CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN WILL A REMEDY BE PROVIDED? IT SEEM ALMOST A YEAR WOULD BE ENOUGH TIME TO FIX THIS DEFECT .
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11181946 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
2
Most reports here involve software faults.
Read full complaint
BMW X5 DIESEL. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A WEEK. BMW WILL NOT REPLACE A PART THAT WAS PART OF A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME. SCR METERING VALVE - SERVICE ACTION: REPLACE THE SELECTIVE CATALYST REDUCTION (SCR) METERING UNIT. SI B18 04 12 EXHAUST SYSTEMS
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10780096 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 19 complaints on file, fewer than the 2011 (24). Of the 4 model years of the BMW X5 SAV we cover, the 2011 has the most (24). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.