2019 Bmw X5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (37) · Electrical System (30) · Steering (16)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw X5 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
49 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (13)
Electrical System:starter Assembly 2025-09-25 · campaign 25V644000 · 145,102 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 340I, X6, 2020-2025 840I, 2020-2022 740LI, 2019-2020 X7, and X5 vehicles. After repeated attempts, the starter motor may overheat from an electrical overload.
Risk: An overheated starter motor can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. This recall includes vehicles repaired under recall 24V576 and those owners will need to have their vehicle repaired again. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 17, 2025.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm):software 2024-08-01 · campaign 24V576000 · 105,588 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5, X7, 2020 3 Series Sedan, X6, 2020-2021 7 Series Sedan, 2020 8 Series Convertible, 8 Series Coupe, and 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. In the event the starter motor fails, repeated attempts to start the vehicle can cause the starter motor to overheat from an electrical overload.
Risk: A starter motor that overheats can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2022-04-20 · campaign 22V267000 · 61,221 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive); 2019-2022 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M; 2021-2022 X5 xdrive45e; 2020-2022 X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6M and 2019-2023 X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, X7 xDrive60i, X7 M60i, X7M, Alpina XB7 vehicles. The roof function control unit may be programmed incorrectly, allowing the sunroof to close without the key fob present inside the vehicle.
Risk: A sunroof that closes without the key fob present inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the roof function control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel 2021-07-08 · campaign 21V520000 · 1 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling one 2019 X5 xDrive 40i vehicle. The instrument panel may not have been manufactured correctly, which could prevent the passenger side air bag from deploying properly in a crash.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: A dealer will replace the instrument panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 26, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Back Over Prevention:software 2021-02-19 · campaign 21V096000 · 13,858 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 x
Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic 2021-02-10 · campaign 21V062000 · 893 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, and 2021 M3, M3 Competition, M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, X5 xDrive45e, 745 Le xDrive. The rotor and shaft within the integrated bra
Risk: A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Steering:column 2020-07-28 · campaign 20V434000 · 7 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i and X5 xDrive50i vehicles and 2020 X6M vehicles. The steering column shaft bearing plate may not have been properly attached to the vehicle, allowing it to loosen.
Risk: A loose bearing plate can affect the vehicle's handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering column shaft bearing plate and properly attach or replace it, as necessary, free of charge. BMW telephoned owners and all of the vehicles have been remedied. No owner notification letter is necessary. Please contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2019-09-27 · campaign 19V684000 · 257,473 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs 2019-07-23 · campaign 19V541000 · 5 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 X5 xDrive50i and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The left side wheel bolts may have been insufficiently tightened and may loosen over time.
Risk: Loose bolts may allow a wheel to detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and tighten the left side wheel bolts, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Engine 2019-07-03 · campaign 19V513000 · 115 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 750i xDrive, 2019 M850i xDrive Coupe, M850i xDrive Convertible, X5 xDrive50i, X7 xDrive50i, and M5 vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may not have been properly attached to the engine, which may cause the fuel pump flange to crack, resulting in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Seats 2019-02-13 · campaign 19V096000 · 68 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 X5 xDrive40i and xDrive50i vehicles. The attachment bolts for the driver's seat and/or seat belt may not have been properly tightened.
Risk: The improperly tightened bolts can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the attachment bolts for the driver's seat and seat belt, and torque them to the correct specifications, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Equipment:other:labels 2018-12-19 · campaign 18V918000 · 11 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 BMW X5 xDrive40i and X5 xDrive50i vehicles. The driver and/or passenger sun visor may have an incorrect air bag warning label, or the label may be missing. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant crash protection."
Risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: BMW notified owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger sun visor, replacing the visors as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 4, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Electrical System 2018-10-17 · campaign 18V732000 · 172 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 BMW X5 xDrive40i vehicles. The capacitors within the Body Domain Controller (BDC) may short circuit and overheat.
Risk: If the BDC short circuits, other nearby components may also overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: All affected vehicles remain on dealer lots, therefore owner letters will not be mailed. BMW dealers will replace the BDC control unit, free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service bulletins (482)
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.
Structure:body 2026-08-28 · B010226DCS · Other
bmw notice of the court’s final approval for shark-fin antenna settlement (x3, x4, x5, x6, x7)
Structure:body 2026-08-25 · B010226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
rear roof antenna shark fin cover sealing issue
Engine 2026-07-28 · B011524 · Warranty Program/Extension
the nvld modules limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the vehicles original in-service / first delivery date.
Engine 2026-07-17 · B110426 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the manual starting of electronic engine oil level measurement from inside the vehicle, usually afterperforming an engine oil service task, is inoperative or it may lock up at between a 15% to 30% completionrate.
Structure:body 2026-07-10 · B510726 · Service Campaign
in the affected vehicles, an incorrect screwlocking device (circled) may have been usedfor the mounting bolts of the door latch locks.
Engine 2026-06-29 · B010324 · Warranty Program/Extension
the evap systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
Showing the 6 most recent of 482 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-26 · Power Train“the vehicle experiences repeated jerking and shuddering from the driveline during low-speed cornering, acceleration from a stop, and under light-to-medium loads. no warning lights or check control messages appear. this matches the symptoms described in bmw service information bulletin 27 02 20 regarding the xdrive transfer case on my vehicle. in …”
2026-10-20 · Unknown Or Other“the a/c evaporator core in my 2019 bmw x5 xdrive50i failed at approximately 65000 miles. on 8/20/2026, i noticed warm air from the passenger climate zone, a chemical odor/oily residue at the vents, and complete loss of a/c. a leak test at nalley bmw on 10/20/2026 identified the evaporator core as the source of the refrigerant leak. the a/c system h…”
2026-10-14 · Unknown Or Other“i purchased a bmw x5 on august 5. several weeks later, i kept noticing rubber pieces coming out of the engine so i lifted the hood and saw disconnected hoses, fraying, holes, extremely worn engine parts and pink wrapping around one metal hose. two weeks ago a safety recall notice popped up on my infotainment screen. it said it was about the engine…”
2026-10-01 · Service Brakes“my 2019 bmw x5 suffered an identical failure to the 2023-2025 recalls to replace the entire integrated brake system unit at only 31,117 miles. the part # was 34-51-5-a7c-589. the repair work was performed by bmw of ocala at a cost of $4,134.37 on 8/3/2024. because this component matches the technical architecture of the widespread 2024 integrate…”
2026-09-29 · Unknown Or Other“the emergency call system malfunctioned and the navigation system quit working due to a leak in the shark fin. this would be a major safety concern in the case of an emergency. the dealer will replace the shark fin at their cost, but will not provide a loaner vehicle or rental car why we are waiting on the replacement shark fin. the part has be…”
2026-09-26 · Power Train“my transfer case is in bad condition. initially i was getting really bad jerking in my car when turning. i was recommended by bmw of [xxx] to do a fluid flush. i have spent money to do this flush. starting of august my mechanic as well as other mechanics that my transfer case is in really bad condition and is making really bad noises. information …”
2026-09-21 · Unknown Or Other“i purchased my car in december 2025. in the early summer, i noticed my air conditioning system not working. i took it to my dealership and they did a recharge. i took my car back to the shop and found that after further investigation is an evaporator leak. i had to pay over $6000 in repairs. …”
2026-09-18 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 84,000 mi“the contact owns a 2019 bmw x5. the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the "emergency sos malfunction" message was displayed. the vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the engine oil pump and tcb module were faulty and needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was not notified of the failu…”
2026-09-17 · Engine“engine oil pump failure. the housing for the oil pump is made out of plastic and know to fail due to the part turning brittle in the engine surrounded by oil and heat. the oil pump housing has cracked causing a failure at the pump housing. the results are catastrophic engine failure as well as not being able to read engine oil levels on bmw idrive …”
2026-09-12 · Lane Departure: Warning“dear sir/madam, i am experiencing an issue with my bmw vehicle whereby, approximately 5 to 10 minutes after beginning to drive, the driver assistance system becomes disabled. as a result, both the blind spot detection and lane departure warning functions are deactivated, and a warning message indicating that driver assistance support is restricted…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.