2009 Bmw X5 Sav problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (10) · Service Brakes (3) · Air Bags (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw X5 Sav model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (4)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (Pcv) 2022-03-02 · campaign 22V119000 · 917,106 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SA
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 ow
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-05 · campaign 16V071000 · 840,000 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service Brakes 2013-02-07 · campaign 13V045000 · 30,265 vehicles
Defect: BMW is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 X5 SAV vehicles, manufactured September 12, 2006, through March 18, 2010 and equipped with an 8-cylinder engine. The brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil into the hose. The contamination could result in a loss of power assist braking.
Risk: The loss of power assist in braking could increase stopping distance and lead to a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System 2012-11-27 · campaign 12V550000 · 29,800 vehicles
Defect: BMW is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 X5 xDrive 35d SAV diesel vehicles manufactured September 1, 2008, through November 15, 2012. The engine belt idler pulley bolt could loosen and break over time.
Risk: If the engine belt idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Service bulletins (8)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-04-23 · B611026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while performing a 12-volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, vehicle test, and/or programming procedure- the bmw footwell module (frm) may become unresponsive. as a result, one or more of the following vehicle electric system-related issues may occur: headlights including the high beam
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2020-10-01 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
discharged battery energy diagnosis must be performed: the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to
Service Brakes, Air:disc 2013-05-01 · SIB-34-06-12 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bmw: warning lamps are illuminated for the dsc, abs and brake and a possible warning in control display for chassis control system failure. models 2012 f25, 30, 01, 02, 07, 10, 12, 13, e70, 71, 84. *pe
Engine 2013-05-01 · SIB-24-03-13 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bmw: some vehicle engines may experience a delay in response to acceleration, after slowing down, due to an unfavorable software calibration. models f10, 25, 07, e70, 71. no model years listed. *pe
Showing the 6 most recent of 8 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-03-03 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 103,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 bmw x5. the contact stated that upon turning the heater on, there was a strong burning odor coming from the a/c vents. there was no warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was diagnosed as a burning oil odor. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the intake gasket wa…”
2019-05-01 · Fuel/Propulsion System“lost power while cruising at 60 m/hr. other cars almost hit me when i was trying to move to the side for safety causing lots of traffic. then went to the bmw dealer (patrict bmw) in schaumburg il for diagnostic and found out there was a problem in the fuel system electrically. the wiring harness were melted , blew fuse and relay and they said the m…”
2019-04-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 119,992 mi“2009 bmw x5 diesel passive tank failed. i told the dealer and called bmw customer care and told them this is emmisions related and they should have replaced it when they replaced the active tank a year ago. bmw diesels will not pass smog due to defective designs of the active and passive tanks that contain def. the sensors are located inside the ta…”
2018-07-02 · Service Brakes · 135,000 mi“brake lights are failing causing a major safety issue. bmw issued a service bulletin on this problem (sb-10040177-8428 / si b63 10 09) in march 2011. this vehicle has been serviced by the bmw dealership many many times, but the service bulletin was never mentioned or executed. warning lights appear on the dash - issue is present both moving and s…”
2018-05-26 · Wheels · 80,000 mi“sir, bmw installs runflats on all their cars. on this x5 i've replaced these tires 3 or 4 times at my own expense as runflats either get puncture or leak and one can't replace @3/32 oly one.these tires are defective and have not served this suv well. in fact, my wife's bm@ 535xi i did the same and threw out oem tires with new michelin and spare. br…”
2018-02-01 · Vehicle Speed Control · 13 mi“driving on the expressway with my 4 year old son and gas pedal would not respond and all of the sudden the dash lights up with dsc 4x4 error also battery light and hand brake light came on. engine started to accelerating uncontrollably at this time and the check engine light came on with what it seemed as half full . throttle went unresponsive and …”
2017-11-16 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 110,000 mi“i am writing in regards to a technical service bulletin / recall from bmw si b16 0102 which i obtained from the nhtsa website. my bmw, [xxx], was showing an emissions fault code related to the part addressed in the unlimited age/mileage tsb. i went to the dealer regarding this item to figure out what can be done at around 110,000 miles in april…”
2017-07-09 · Service Brakes · 72,000 mi“while driving 15-20 mph;electromechanical parking brake failure--software glitch that caused the parking brake actuator to failure // yellow & red ( brake & 4x4) warning lights came on for parking brake failure ,brakes locked vx came to immediate stop and would not drive!…”
2017-06-05 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i own a bmw x5 diesel 2009 model year, sometime 2012 the def active tank was replaced as covered by recall. now it has started to give the same cel code ( active tank temp sensor failure). the replacement for this issue is very costly. this is part of emissions and bmw does not want any replacement without any cost to consumers.…”
2017-05-23 · Fuel/Propulsion System“this vehicle has had three open recalls for extensive periods of time, there is no end date to when bmw is promising to complete the work by, and the vehicle is unsellable as a result. for over 18 months, there has been a drive air bag recall open and outstanding with no end date. a second air bag recall has been open for around a year, again wi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.