Overall rating (best variant)
Safety ratings
2018 BMW X5 SUV AWD
- Lane departure warningOptional
- Forward collision warningOptional
- Electronic stability controlStandard
2018 BMW X5 SUV RWD
- Lane departure warningOptional
- Forward collision warningOptional
- Electronic stability controlStandard
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (5)
- FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPCampaign 21V586000 · 29/07/2021
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, X5 xDrive35d, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, and 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 14, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARMCampaign 18V439000 · 28/06/2018
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 xDrive35d, and X6 sDrive35i vehicles. The pivot bolt on the front lower-left control arm may not have been properly hardened, which may cause the control arm to break.
Risk: If the lower control arm breaks, vehicle handling and control can be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower-left control arms and replace if necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 11, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICALCampaign 18V652000 · 20/09/2018
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 330e iPerformance, i3 Rex, i3 Sport Rex, X5 xDrive40e, i3 BEV, i3 Sport BEV and 2019 i8 and i8 Roadster vehicles and 2018-2019 530e iPerformance, 530e xDrive iPerformance and 740Le xDrive iPerformance vehicles. Capacitors within the TurboCord Portable Chargers may fail, possibly resulting in a shock hazard or a fire.
Risk: An electrical shock or a fire can increase the risk of injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the charging cable, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- SUSPENSIONCampaign 17V727000 · 17/11/2017
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW X5 SAV, X5 M SAV, X6 SAV, and X6 M SAV vehicles. Bolts that secure the front suspension may not have been properly tightened.
Risk: Loose bolts can affect the performance of the suspension, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the wishbone suspension bolts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMPCampaign 24V608000 · 13/08/2024
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER11
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM10
- ENGINE10
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING9
- POWER TRAIN9
- FUEL SYSTEM7
- DIESEL6
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/26/2019· STEERING
I AM EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE VERY SIMILAR TO THE STEERING ISSUE AS REPORTED IN NHTSA ID# 11196600. THE STEERING VERY SUDDENLY DEVELOPED VERY NOTICEABLE PLAY IN STEERING. AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH OR SO, BECAUSE OF THE STEERING PLAY, THE VEHICLE HAS A TENDENCY TO WANDER SOMETIMES TO THE LEFT AND SOMETIMES THE RIGHT AT WHICH POINT THE STEERING TAKES HOLD WHICH IS FELT AS A TWITCH IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN THE FRONT END BECOMES LIGHT AS IN CASES WHEN DRIVING OVER AN OVERPASS OR ON ROADS THAT UNDULATE SOME. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE BMW DEALER IN LAFAYETTE, IN ON 23-DEC-19 TO HAVE THEM LOOK INTO IT. THEY REPORTED BACK THAT THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING MECHANICALLY WRONG, BUT UPON ROAD TESTING THE VEHICLE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WAY THAT THE VEHICLE HANDLES AND DRIVES - THOUGHT TO PERHAPS BE A PROBLEM WITH THE EPS. THEY ARE LOOKING INTO IT FURTHER WITH NEXT STEPS TO BE REPORTED BACK TO ME.
- 12/17/2021· FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V586000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- 12/05/2023· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When the car is coming to a stop the drivers floor mat slides on top of the gas pedal. Also when driving, general movement of your foot on the mat causes it to slide forward freely with and restriction. The velcro that attaches to the mat falls off and the mat is free moving. It is a common concern among other BMW X5 owners in online forums. The dealership refuses to assist. Thank you
- 11/26/2024· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the thermostat was stuck opened, causing the check engine warning light to illuminate and the transmission oil coolant heat exchanger to be damaged by the thermostat failure. The contact was advised that the thermostat and coolant pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.
- 11/19/2021· POWER TRAIN
On 11/10/2021 while driving on US Rte 29 in Silver Spring, MD, the car stalled during stop & go rush hour traffic. The car would not move forward in drive but I had enough momentum to move partially in the shoulder lane. Next the car began to drift backwards so I kept my foot on the brakes until the tow truck arrived. I had the car towed to the BMW dealer and the next day I was informed that it needed a new transmission for a cost of $26,000.00. My car has under 72,000 miles and I maintained all recommended preventative maintenance. I bought it brand new for $84,000.00 with 2 miles. Please investigate this obvious manufacturer defect as I believe the dealer and/or BMW should handle all costs. I was lucky since innocent commuters could have been severely injured and killed; including myself. The experience was terrifying and presents a safety Hazzard to the public. These tech heavy vehicles are good for the environment and societal progress but they must perform according to the expectations and requirements of the US Government. The BMW Service Dept. has decided upon merit to my complaint and lowered my contribution to $8,000.00 after I just paid $84,000.00 for the new vehicle. Again, I believe they should handle all costs. US consumers expect safety, reliability and dependability on all vehicles and when that fails, we only have your Agency to supersede and demand justice. Thank you for this opportunity. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). Consumer's 2018 BMW 40e plug-in hybrid cut off again while driving. Also, had to have it towed on January 18, 2022.
- 11/18/2021· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMFire
Battery charger trigger a fire. It's BMW genuine DELPHI which comes with car. after charging my car, I unplug it from my car and put on top of plastic ice box before left my garage. Once i'm back to home there was a fire inside of garage. Fire started from battery charger head and it melt plastic ice box and spread to upside of drywall & shelve of garage. there was no damage power cable & plug part of charger.
- 11/14/2024· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Driving my BMWX5 on 11/5/2024 on an open road with my dog, I heard an unusual loud thump. Since there were no warning lights before or after the thump, I continued until it was convenient to stop. While I continued, I heard light noises on top of my roof. I did not go under any overpasses. When I stopped and pulled back the cover of my sun roof, I was aghast to see a large gaping hole and total shatter of my sunroof! Had I not had my sunroof cover closed, all the glass would have rained down on my and my dog. Also had it rained down on me, not knowing how I would have reacted, I might have caused an accident, particularly had my driving been impaired. I took pictures of the shattered sun roof. I also took a picture of the odometer. I had 49,075 miles on my vehicle that day. That day I took my vehicle to a BMW Collision Center, which is right beside the Dealership. The total shatter obviously was confirmed. A part has been ordered and the vehicle will be taken in next week for repair. This is at my cost as is the rental car since my insurance deductible is so high. I have called into the General Manager of the BMW Dealer over the last 2 days with no return call.
- 11/11/2024· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The water pump's electrical plug connector has a safety recall without a current available remedy. The issue causes small drops of liquid from the positive crankcase ventilation system to drip down onto the water pump's electrical connector, which could lead to a short circuit and potential thermal event or fire.
- 11/08/2024· POWER TRAIN
The front driveshaft is known to fail in these vehicles. Mine is very loose and my mechanic advised me to not drive the car anymore until I replace it. When it snaps off, it is known to destroy either the transmission or engine. This needs to be recalled by BMW.
- 11/06/2021· SUSPENSION
My 2018 x5 had the rear driver side air bag suspension give out where makes the ride very bouncy and hard pound on the uneven roads where makes you lose control of the vehicle and possibly have an incident. Came across a few more X5 owners with the same issue and hasn’t been a recall for these years 14-18. Suspension air seems to just give out under 60,000 miles on many people I have talk to along with the dealership confirming this has been an issue with the X5 air suspension system, but no recall or fix of the issue. Please fix and change this part.I’m sure BMW is aware, but need to address before they are more accidents due to this.
- 11/03/2023· SUSPENSION
So I test drove a BMW X5 e drive a couple months ago at an independent used car dealer and it looked perfect but when I drove it the car bounced excessively over any minor bump in the road. It felt like sitting in the back seats in a school bus not like driving a luxury SUV. They offered to fix it but I just felt like I couldn't trust them after this experience. I chalked this experience up to a used car dealership just trying to pass off a car to someone who might not notice the suspension being broken. So I've been searching for a couple months to find the perfect one at a bigger more trustworthy car dealer. I ordered one online at carmax and had this car delivered Friday and my husband/I hopped inside to grab some lunch and take it for a spin only to realize this second 2018 BMW X5 hybrid also has a broken suspension. It was bouncing seconds after each minor bump in the road. Additionally it had an error saying that the hybrid battery was not holding charge that we noticed the moment we got into the car. Carmax said they charged it before dropping it off and then it was discharged completely when we received it. Plus we noticed that the back end of the car was 4-6" lower from the front end, whereas the front had a couple inch clearance over the tires and the back was covering the top couple inches of the tires. We switched from comfort to sport & it did seem to limit the bounce but still there is something clearly wrong so CARMAX towed it away Friday night in September the day I got the car. Carmax repaired the suspension with bmw parts & now 6 weeks later the suspension is broken again. Carmax has offered to repair but I’m very concerned that there is a bigger.I checked the VIN for recalls and searched the internet for similar issues with no luck. I also emailed BMW for their take and they said that they’ve never heard of any issues. . Are faulty suspensions a thing with this car??? Should I keep it if they fix?don't need a car with endless issues??
- 10/25/2021· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
BMW X5 with Sunroof starts leaking water inside. BMW does not cover and when I called them the response was it is an outside factor that clogs the drainage pipe and it happens on all type of cars, so no action needed. BMW knows about something and they have not taken any action to prevent it, rather the answer is "it happens with all the cars, so it is okay to happen with BMW model too". I feel it is hazardous for 2 reasons: 1. While driving in rain it suddenly starts leaking which deters an immediate attention from the road. It was by the grace of god, no one was next to me on the road, otherwise an impulse movement would have resulted in the accident. 2. Now, since the carpet soaked the water, although after drying with vacuum, it has started smelling. May be mold is forming which can be hazardous too. BMW knows the issue but does nothing to prevent it from happening and then they gave me an estimate of about $1000 to fix the drainage issue and dry the carpet out. BMW sold me this car as a certified pre-owned and 10 months later I am having the issue of water leaking in the car for which I need to pay to get it fixed.
- 10/18/2019· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
2018 BMW X5 XDR40E. CONSUMER WRITES TO MULTIPLE MALFUNCTIONS WITH VEHICLE; AIRBAG/SEAT TENSIONER/BELT-FORCE LIMITERS-SYSTEM. *AS *JS
- 10/16/2025· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I replaced an Electric Auxillary Heater on my vehicle in 2024 part that was subsequently offered an warranty extension on 8/1/2025 by BMW in Service bulletin SIB 01 10 25. The bulletin had a provision for customer reimbursement of repairs and they are refusing to honor my claim. I think they should be forced to place this part into a recall by NHTSA. These vehicles are lemons. A High Voltage AC compressor, Electric Auxillary Heater Issues, High Voltage power supply cables, Turbocharger, Electric Suspension compressor, Air suspesion Springs, Evaporative Emissions Purge Valve all had to be replaced before the vehicle hit 90,000 miles.
- 10/13/2021· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I was driving in the number 1 lane (leftmost lane) when the dashboard display indicated there was a transmission fault and warned that I should pull over to a safe spot immediately. With the vehicle rapidly slowing, I had to maneuver through traffic to the right side of the road with great difficulty. It was very dangerous to make that maneuver with freeway traffic traveling at approximately 65 to 75 MPH. The vehicle is at the BMW dealer in Norwalk California and has not yet been examined for the problem. The dealer has confirmed that the engine will crank but will not start. There was no warning prior to the engine/drivetrain failure. The vehicle currently has approximately 57,000 miles on the odometer. This vehicle previously experienced a high pressure fuel pump failure at approximately 21,000 miles on the odometer. The previous failure occurred at a traffic light in town and the hazard to my safety was less severe.
- 10/13/2020· AIR BAGS
PASSENGER AIRBAG ALERT ON DASHBOARD CONSTANTLY WHEN YOU TURN ON THE CAR AND MAKES YOU UNABLE TO USE ANY VOICE COMMAND OR USE DISPLAY NAVIGATION WITHOUT PRESSING 3 TIMES OK BUTTON...IT WAS LIKE THIS FIRST TIME WHEN WE GOT IT AND EVERY TIME WE TOOK IT TO SERVICE...MOST OF THE TIME WE WERE TOLD THAT WAS TRIGGERED BY LEAVING THE PURSE OR BAG ON THE SEAT? FINALLY AFTER RESETTING EVERY TIME , LAST YEAR THE SERVICE ACKNOWLEDGE A RECALL...THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT BUT THIS YEAR IT HAPPENED TWICE GAIN...CAR WAS OVER A MONTH ALL TOGETHER IN SHOP FOR THE SAME ISSUE,,
- 10/08/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE PASSENGER BLIND SIDE DETECTION WILL NOT PICK UP VEHICLES ONLY 20% OF THE TIME.
- 10/07/2019· SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2018 BMW X5. THE CONSUMER ENGAGED THE "CAR HOLD" BUTTON, WHICH ALLOWED HIM TO REMOVE HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. HOWEVER, THE FEATURE FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO VISTA BMW POMPANO BEACH (744 N FEDERAL HWY #4303, POMPANO BEACH, FL 33062, (954) 516-2733) WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000. THE CONSUMER HAS REPORTED MULTIPLE FAILURES AFTER FIRST LEMON LAW HEARING REAGRDING THE FIST INCIDENT. *AS
- 09/30/2025· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Driving the vehicle a short distance, I can smell oil burning after the car is stopped. I have had to put oil in the car twice because the warning light came on suggesting that a quart of oil is needed. The vehicle has less than 122,000 miles. Also, the car idles a lot before I put it in gear. I was told at the last oil change that I need spark plugs. The battery and tires were replaced by a BMW dealership over a year ago.
- 09/26/2018· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKESCrash
THIS BRAND NEW CAR I BOUGHT HAS THE OPTIONS OF "ADVANCED SAFETY SYSTEM" WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT A COLLISION. I WAS DRIVING ON ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, 4 CAR DISTANCE ON HIGHWAY. AS I WAS DRIVING CLOSE TO THE EXIT WHERE I NEEDED TO TAKE, ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT SEEM TO BE WORKING SINCE I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN AS I WAS APPROACHING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN MY VEHICLE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO MY BRAKING. I PRESSED DOWN BRAKE AS HARD AS POSSIBLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT MY VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE WITHOUT STOPPING UNTIL IT (FIRST CAR) HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF THE SECOND CAR HIT THE THIRD CAR. AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING SHOULD HAVE KICKED IN TO PREVENT COLLISION, BUT IT DID NOT. THIS CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO GIVE ME FORWARD-COLLISION WARNING SIGN AS IT WAS APPROACHING THE CAR IN THE FRONT, BUT IT NEVER DID. SENSOR MIGHT HAVE NOT BEEN WORKING AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT.
- 09/11/2018· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
THE CAR DISPLAYED DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION WARNING MESSAGE MULTIPLE TIMES AFTER THE CAR REACHED 10K MILES. THE DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION MESSAGE WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND DEALER FAILED TO PROVIDE PROPER EXPLANATION AS WELL AS FAILED TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS HYBRID AND THE ISSUE HAPPENS RANDOMLY WHEN DRIVEN AT SPEED BETWEEN 60MPH TO 80 MPH. WHEN THE WARNING MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED THE CAR AIR CONDITION STOPS FUNCTION COMPLETELY, THE CAR LOSES ACCELERATION AND MAINTAIN SPEED OF 60 MPH EVEN IF THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED FIRMLY.
- 09/09/2024· VISIBILITY/WIPER
Visibility issues are becoming more significant when the sun reflects from the dashboard onto the windshield. The black leather dashboard is separating along the base of the windshield revealing a white under side. This white reflects the sun and creates artifacts on the windshield visible in the drivers field of view. At the leather separates more and more, the distraction is getting worse and worse. The defective dashboard was reported to my local BMW dealer. I was told BMW will not cover it under warranty and the charge to replace the dashboard is over $5,000.00.
- 09/08/2025· SERVICE BRAKES
I am writing to formally report an issue with my vehicle involving a persistent parking brake malfunction. The yellow parking brake indicator light remains on and will not reset. After researching the issue, I’ve found that this is a common problem among other vehicle owners of the same make and model. The malfunction appears to be related either to a faulty sensor or the entire parking brake module assembly, and the cost to diagnose and repair can exceed $2,000, which places a significant burden on owners for what appears to be a widespread defect. Given the importance of the parking brake system for vehicle safety and reliability, I believe this issue warrants further investigation and potentially a recall or service campaign.
- 09/07/2018· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ENGINE STALL AND OR FLUTTER WHEN TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS
- 09/04/2021· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel system has failed twice resulting in the vehicle shutting down while driving. My safety was put at risk because the vehicle unexpectedly shut down while driving without any warning in the midst of traffic. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer both times and the fuel system replaced each time. There were no warnings or signs prior to each failure. The first failure occurred on 10/10/2019 and the second failure occurred on 8/9/2021.
- 09/03/2024· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
EME (ELECTRONIC MOTOR ELECT.) The vehicle is already at the service department of BMW in Puerto Rico. According to them, there was an EME failure. The warranty says the electrical system is covered under a warranty of 8 years or 60,000 miles. Neither of them has passed. The service department says the warranty is on the main battery, but the EME is part of the electrical system. They want to charge almost 20,000 for the replacement and adjustment of the system. This statement is unacceptable. It would put this vehicle which has been jealously taken care of in a total loss condition. It still owed 25000 dollars and the repair cost 20,000. It does not make sense and is not the only one with this situation. The problem is that it died in the middle of the road, Luckily there was not much traffic. It is very dangerous if it happened on the freeway, it could have caused a very bad accident. BMW should be liable for this damage and a recall should be performed.
- 08/29/2021· TIRES
My BMW X5 has Pirelli Scorpion Verde run flat tires. 255/50/R 19. For the second time in three months a tire blew and caused extensive damage to my car. Both incidents have taken place on the interstate going 80 MPH. No tire warning light came on until the tire had already blown each time. The car has been regularly serviced at BMW dealerships. The first time my two kids were along and they were scared to death, as you might imagine. The first blow out of the rear right back tire happened in May 2021 and caused more than $10,000 in damage to my vehicle. The blow out on August 26, 2021 was the front driver's side tire. In May I filed a claim to my insurance, but am hesitant to this time as it will increase my rates. I paid $625 this week to have my vehicle towed on a flat bed to the nearest BMW dealership. I reached out to Pirelli and after an hour an half on the phone and being put on hold multiple times, I was able to share the issue with the company and they have said they will be responding. I have also asked the local BMW dealership to assist. Consumer stated latest tire that blew was mailed to Pirelli and claim was filed.
- 08/28/2024· ENGINE
The AC compressor catastrophically failed and sent metal throughout the AC system. I will have to auction the vehicle and try to get some money from the vehicle to buy another car. I doubt that I will still have the vehicle by the end of August 2024. Because my vehicle is a plug-in-hybrid and AC lines run through it, the check engine light came on because the electric drive could not function properly. It was 90+ degrees outside and thus inside the car, and a good portion of the power to drive my car wasn't available since the electrical drive was affected. The problem was diagnosed by our local BMW dealer. Their analysis is sent via video messages. While I doubt you will be allowed to view it for corporate safety standards, the URL for the video they sent is [XXX] . I also saved a screen grab video but it is too large to send. Just the BMW dealership. The cost to repair is approximately $18,000. There was no warning. Shortly after the AC stopped cooling the check engine light came on and it appeared that my car stopped using the electric drive. This problem (catastrophic AC compressor failure) appears to have occurred in several other BMW models and model years. The only recommended fix is an extremely costly replacement of every AC line in the entire car system (engine, cabin, hybrid battery in my car's case). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- 08/28/2023· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated while his wife was starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooling system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but experienced the failure a second time three days later. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where the vehicle was being diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,190.
- 07/25/2022· ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Need asap reply, Hello this is the worse service I ever had to encounter March 10 2022 till present date I haven’t gotten my vehicle back from https://www.mckennabmw.com/ had been a back n forth matter. This recall has gone way too far my pregnant wife n mother in law we’re in vehicle when it broke down. I been in a loaner vehicle from the date shown above. This need to be look at asap I’m consulting this to an attorney. I NO longer want vehicle back I am requesting a buy it back so I can move on to my next vehicle and it won’t be a BMW plz contact me asap @ [XXX] Who will I need to contact to request lost of use coverage to be issued to me I been paying insurance to a vehicle that’s it’s only sitting at the nearest dealer I’ve also paid a huge amount for a tow truck to pick up my pregnant wife from the highway. Hope to heard from you guys soon . Thank you INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- 07/21/2025· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
On July 9, while accelerating on a busy freeway during rush hour, the car stalled in the middle lane and was unable to be driven off to the side. I called 911 and a tow truck came to tow the vehicle. The problem was diagnosed by BMW as the high pressure fuel pump, which was determined to have blown out and sent metal into the entire fuel system - with a repair estimate of $26k. The high pressure fuel pump had already been replaced by BMW under a recall and the remedy was to replace it with the same faulty component, which failed again. There was no warning or signs of impending failure. The 2018 BMW X5 has been serviced solely by BMW and inspected multiple times with no suggestion there were any issues. I called BMW after the incident, and since the car is 3k miles over the extended warranty on this part, they have denied any help in remedying this issue.
- 07/21/2021· STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Moon Roof - shattered while driving on free way . Glasses shattered & falling inside & outside car making scary experience.
- 07/11/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AFTER BEING SERVICED. 9,000 MILES ON ODOMETER. WHEN DRIVING OUT OF DRIVEWAY NOTICED GLASS NOISE FROM ABOVE. ROLLED BACK SUNSCREEN AND GLASS FELL DOWN INTO VEHICLE. ON FURTHER INSPECTION THE GLASS AROUND THE HOLE IS RAISED UPWARD AS IF COMPRESSED FROM THE OUTSIDE FRAME. IF DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THE SAFETY GLASS FRAGMENTS WOULD HAVE INJURED OCCUPANTS. THIS APPEARS NOT TO BE AN ISOLATED PROBLEM AND DEALERS DO NOT DISCLOSE THAT IT IS.
- 07/10/2023· FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the coolant low warning message was displayed. The contact checked the coolant level and noticed that the coolant level was low and added coolant. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no failure was found. The coolant level was topped off however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) and that the recall repair was previously performed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and case was filed but did not provide no assistance. The failure mileage was 49,000.
- 06/22/2022· POWER TRAIN
I own a 2018 BMW X5 x35d and received a notification from BMW about recall under recall number 21V907 last November 2021. It has been 8 months and I've been following up with BMW every 3 to 4 weeks and up to now, they still cannot give me an ETA on when the recall will be fixed. This is totally unacceptable.
- 06/17/2024· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
While driving moderately on suburban roads, the car suddenly jerked forward and stalled, and a warning came on indicating "drive train malfunction". The message said that continuing driving was possible and to contact dealer soon at convenience. Then, 30 seconds later while still driving, the car completely died. Engine died and car began coasting. Had to coast into a parking lot where the car came to a complete stop. Tried troubleshooting and turning the engine on and off for an hour; the car would turn on for a split second, stutter and growl as if it was out of gas (it was not), and then shut off. Car had to be towed (six hours later) and is awaiting inspection at dealer. Nothing at all indicated an issue prior to this happening; in fact, the car was just serviced at the dealer literally ten days ago. Incredibly unsafe and insanely frustrating experience to have the car randomly and without warning die while traveling in traffic.
- 06/09/2025· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- 06/03/2025· FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart. After restarting the vehicle, the contact observed white smoke and embers coming from the EGR cooler and intake manifold. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel); the VIN was included, but the vehicle was already repaired in 2022. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 66,000.
- 05/22/2026· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
The attaching nut and bolt holding the left suspension to the rear subframe worked itself lose. The nut had completely fallen off. The corresponding bolt was merely hanging on but was about to fall off too. The vehicle was behaving weirdly and unstable even at slower speeds.
- 05/22/2023· SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS
Warning appeared on my vehicle a few months ago stating something was wrong with the restraint system. While driving out of nowhere my vehicle on it's own accord will begin rocking really hard and it has become dangerous for passengers, myself or my animals in my car. Looking further into the issue, this is a common problem with X5's and people are made to believe its a sensor issue with a hefty price. There is a warranty for vehicles that 10 years or less older that is supposed to be provided by BMW but when I call both dealerships here in the area they state that does not exist. I am taking my vehicle to BWM tomorrow morning to try and get this issue fixed. I will know more tomorrow.
- 05/11/2023· SUSPENSION
Basing complaint on NHTSA ID 11439582 4/25/2023 Started vehicle on this morning and ride height was normal, while doing daily intown driving, noticed that ride became extremely bumpy. I drove to my neighborhood Midas shop for inspection. There was no code but there was a dash warning with my chassis, "Drive Moderately". Midas instructed me to contact my nearest BMW Dealership in the Woodlands (Texas). I then called and explained the chassis warning that displayed and the "drive moderately" Message. The Dealership told me that the soonest that they could even look at it would be on 5/4 even though that I explained that this is my work transportation. Seeing no other option to get me back on the road, I took the vehicle to my General European Repair shop located 1.8 miles from the Midas shop. During that move, I drove under 40 mph. At that point, the shop checked to find the rear suspension airbags were leaking. Having no other choice, the shop ordered and replaced the airbags with parts purchased at the BMW Dealership. My repair cost at this point is $1940.00. Upon completion of this, during the system check, It was also determined that the air suspension pump was defective and that it wasn't capable of lifting the vehicle. The part alone is an additional $1558.66, bringing my repair with labor to over $4000.00. After reading your summary of complaints on this issue, especially with my current mileage at 50,725, this seems to be a Manufacturer known issue. I am compiling a complete file on this issue and intend to submit it to BMW for review with the hope that they will do the right thing.
- 05/10/2024· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was blue smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the turbocharger had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under TSB Number: B111116. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
- 05/10/2024· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My vehicle is having a problem with part# 11428626652. I have a 2018 x5 40e with a N20 Engine. There was a TIS Service Bulletin on Feb 2018 in regard to this part. [XXX] However, my car has this part, went bad, and for some reason, my car was not listed. Why is my car not listed, I think it should have been. Can you please investigate? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- 05/07/2025· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- 05/01/2024· ENGINE
While driving noticed a burning smell (at first, I thought it was the car in front of mine) and smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. Then engine malfunctioned & reduced power light came on. Parked car and inspected the engine. Noticed strong smell of burning and found melted parts of the engine intake manifold with holes. Took photos, had vehicle towed to BMW dealership.
- 04/30/2026· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
On March 9, 2026, I brought the vehicle to BMW of Fairfax for a scheduled appointment. In the week leading up to the visit, the vehicle intermittently failed to start and required jump-starting using a portable battery starter. Despite this issue, the car drove normally, showed no warning lights or error messages, and had approximately 69,000 miles on the odometer at the time. After jump-starting the vehicle, I personally drove it to the dealership. I paid for a diagnostic evaluation and also authorized completion of a minor recall. Two days later, I was informed that the vehicle was no longer able to shift into gear and was now completely inoperable. I was told I would be responsible for towing the vehicle off their premises. According to the service department, the vehicle now requires replacement of the EME module, at an estimated cost of $12,000. This assessment was particularly troubling because the vehicle was fully drivable when it arrived at the dealership. At no point prior to service did the car have difficulty shifting into gear. It is deeply concerning that the vehicle became a “brick” while under the care of an authorized BMW service center, with no accountability taken for what occurred during their diagnostic process.
- 04/26/2024· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated to 15 MPH. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and restarted but was not able to accelerate above 5 MPH for a short period. The contact stated that the vehicle eventually accelerated over 35 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed after 8 days that the throttle valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was waiting to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,000.
- 04/21/2026· ENGINE
EGR system coolant leak and white smoke from exhaust
- 04/17/2025· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- 04/16/2026· SUSPENSION
I experienced a complete failure of the rear pneumatic (air) suspension system on my vehicle. This system uses rubber air springs (“airbags”) rather than conventional coil springs. When it failed, the rear of the vehicle dropped significantly, causing metal-to-metal contact, an extreme upward pitch of the front end, and pronounced instability. The vehicle became difficult to control, with excessive rear sway creating an unsafe driving condition. Based on my experience and publicly available information, this appears to be a known and recurring issue affecting BMW X5 and X6 models (E70, F15, and G05). The failure is commonly attributed to degradation of the rubber air springs, which can dry out, crack, or leak. When leaks develop, the compressor runs excessively and may fail, resulting in sudden loss of suspension support. While these components may be considered wear items, the frequency and relatively early occurrence of these failures suggest a design or engineering vulnerability rather than typical maintenance. Failures are widely reported between approximately 50,000 and 100,000 miles or within 4–7 years, indicating a pattern of premature degradation. This condition can occur without clear warning, including after the vehicle has been parked, meaning drivers may not recognize the issue until the vehicle is unsafe to operate. Once the system fails, handling is severely compromised, increasing the risk of loss of control. Repair costs often exceed $5,000, which may discourage timely repairs and leave vehicles in unsafe condition. BMW characterized this as a maintenance issue despite the apparent pattern. I am submitting this complaint because this condition poses a serious safety risk. A sudden loss of rear suspension support at speed could result in loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash, injury, or fatality.