2021 Bmw X5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (19) · Electrical System (17) · Engine And Engine Cooling (7)
🧭 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
25 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (12)
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.
Seats:mid/Rear Assembly:head Restraint 2021-03-10 · campaign 21V156000 · 258 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5 xDrive45e, 2021 X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i, and XB7 vehicles. The head restraints on the second-row outer seats may be the incorrect type for the vehicle.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the head restraints could detach, and increase the risk of injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the head restraints, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 3, 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:critical Fasteners 2021-02-18 · campaign 21V089000 · 9 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i and X5 xDrive40i vehicles. The right front brake disc may have been assembled with incorrect fasteners, which over time, could result in the front brake disc becoming loose.
Risk: A loose brake disc could affect vehicle handling and control, and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the right front brake disc and replace it if necessary, along with the unaffected left side brake disc, free of charge. There are no owner vehicles affected; therefore, owner notification is not necessary and, as such, a planned owner notification date is not entered into the recall schedule. Owners may contact BMW's 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 2021-01-29 · campaign 21V031000 · 21 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5M, X5 xDrive45e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i vehicles. The steering column shaft's universal joint connection may not have been tightened to specifications, and can become loose.
Risk: A loose steering column shaft universal joint connection can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, depending upon the inspection, either the bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, or the steering column shaft, universal joint, and bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery 2020-12-09 · campaign 20V761000 · 812 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator may not have been assembled properly, which can cause increased electrical resistance at the connections.
Risk: Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Suspension:front:control Arm 2020-11-04 · campaign 20V678000 · 83 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i and X6M vehicles and 2021 X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket may separate.
Risk: If the weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket separates, vehicle handling and control may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle support, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery 2020-09-30 · campaign 20V601000 · 4,509 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.
Risk: The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
Fix: BMW will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge. The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is completed, drivers are instructed to not charge their vehicles. Drivers are instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. Owners were notified of the safety risk October 23, 2020. The recall began November 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2020-09-01 · campaign 20V528000 · 307 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X6 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M, X7 M50i and 2021 X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The headlamps may allow a blue light to illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Oncoming drivers may be confused by the blue light of approaching vehicles, which could potentially increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlamps and, if necessary, replace them, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery 2020-08-18 · campaign 20V490000 · 713 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330e and X5 xDrive45e, 2020-2021 X3 xDrive30e, and 2020 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. Loose welding beads may form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells which could lead to a short-circuit.
Risk: A short-circuited hybrid battery may increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery modules, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 16, 2020. Although potentially affected BMW owners received interim owner notification letters, all potentially affected BMW owner vehicles have been remedied; therefore, BMW Final owner notification letters will not be necessary. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Tires 2020-08-14 · campaign 20V483000 · 42 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X6 (sDrive40i, xDrive40i and M50i) and X5 (sDrive40i, xDrive40i and M50i) vehicles equipped with certain Pirelli tires. The tires may have a damaged inner layer, possibly resulting in a rapid loss of pressure while the vehicle is moving.
Risk: A rapid loss of tire pressure while the vehicle is moving can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW has notified all of the affected owners, and dealers will replace the defective tires, free of charge. BMW has contacted owners by telephone and those owners have had their cars remedied. Owner notification letters will not be sent. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service bulletins (287)
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.
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.
Air Bags 2026-05-19 · B652724 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
a check control message (ccm) for the restraint system (air bag) appears. in the instrument cluster, the redair bag warning light lights up permanently. one of the following fault codes is stored in the acsm (air bag control unit): 930949 - knee airbag, driver: short circuit to negative terminal 930
Engine 2026-05-06 · B010324 · Warranty Program/Extension
the evap systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.
Structure:body 2026-05-04 · B640320 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the center console and front cup holder get noticeably too warm to the touch on long journeys with the interior "heating on".
Showing the 6 most recent of 287 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-29 · Unknown Or Other · 💥 crash“my car was parked in a shopping center parking lot, as my husband returns to the car after visiting a store, the car had backed reversed unto another vehicle hitting it from behind. this is a safety concern that needs immediate attention as a malfunction is in place. luckily no pedestrians were walking by. the crash was reported to the police and a…”
2026-10-19 · Power Train“my 2021 bmw x5 m50i experienced a sudden drivetrain failure at approximately 62,000 miles while my children were in the vehicle. there was no dashboard warning light, check control message, or advance alert. i noticed serious mechanical symptoms and immediately pulled over rather than continue driving. i am concerned that continuing to drive could …”
2026-10-07 · Power Train“description of safety concern: i am writing to formally submit a vehicle safety complaint regarding the xdrive transfer case on my 2021 bmw x5. while driving, the vehicle exhibits noticeable hesitation, shuddering, and jerking during acceleration at lower speeds and when executing tight turns. this erratic power delivery creates a potential safet…”
2026-09-28 · Unknown Or Other“problem with starter. they don’t start from first time, sometimes from 2-3. as i’m check it in forums, it can burn another parts and make fire. as i now bmw x5 from 2019 to 2024 have problem with starter and have opened recall for it. but when i’m visit now service center, they say me that my vin number not selected for starter recall and i must c…”
2026-09-23 · Power Train“my 2021 bmw x5 xdrive40i intermittently fails to start, occurring on approximately 80% of start attempts, and displays the message "repeat start attempt." this has been confirmed by code reading to be a starter-related malfunction. this defect significantly affects vehicle reliability and raises a potential safety concern. bmw previously recalled v…”
2026-09-21 · Power Train“my 2021 bmw x5 xdrive40i sport (112,000 miles) intermittently fails to start, occurring on approximately 80% of start attempts, and displays the message "repeat start attempt." the issue first occurred on september 8, 2026, while the vehicle was parked at my residence and was confirmed by bmw roadshow memphis on september 11, 2026, as a starter-rel…”
2026-09-13 · Electrical System“the starter motor malfunctioned, which then prevented the car from starting when it was hot. it could only be started after it had completely cooled down. additionally, the fault code indicated that there was a problem with the starter motor. i also noticed that there was a similar recall before, so i'm wondering if this one might also pose a risk …”
2026-09-08 · Electrical System“the contact owns a 2021 bmw x5. the contact stated that the ac was inoperable. the vehicle was taken to a dealer and an independent mechanic on several occasions to repair the ac; however, the failure reoccurred after each repair. the ac was not replaced. the contact believed that the issue was caused by hybrid system.…”
2026-09-04 · Electrical System“vehicle: 2021 bmw x5 xdrive40i (g05) mileage: 54,423 miles component: central information display (cid)/ mgu (media graphics unit) head unit safety defect: the cid intermittently goes completely blank without warning. when this occurs, the backup camera is unavailable, creating a safety hazard when reversing. navigation, radio, apple carplay, and …”
2026-08-24 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 49,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 bmw x5. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to immediately start. the vehicle started later. the engine and a yellow warning light flashed on the instrument panel. upon research, the contact located the german federal motor transport authority (kraftfahrt-bundesamt), for kba reference number: 16131r, which was associa…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.