3.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,960 miles

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problem #3

Nov 012017

X5 6-cyl

  • miles
I have been experiencing seat belt problems for years. There's a recall on the BMW X5 but I'm not sure why my vehicle is not on the recall list. There are 3 others that have the same seat belt issues.

- Lithia Springs, GA, USA

problem #2

Nov 152015

X5

  • 82,881 miles
The first occurrence was November 15 2015. The shut down happens intermittently without warning. After sitting 24 hours, the vehicle reboots and will start - it is then good for 7 days until it happens again. Several repair shops have diagnosed, but cannot identify/duplicate problem. Battery replaced, but did not remedy issue. First occurrence, vehicle was at complete stop - various messages on nav screen (warnings: Transmission malfunction, warned if vehicle is turned off, will not start again); on dash all lights were illuminated. Turned vehicle off, did not start again, as noted on nav screen. Next day, started with no problem. Towed to shop, but could not duplicate. Drove one week, then park brake came on. Next day, same alerts-this time while driving. Did not restart after turning off. Was able to start after 24 hours, but could only drive a few feet before totally shutting down in middle of the street while make a U turn. Towed to shop that night. Next morning, shop could not duplicate, as vehicle ran smoothly. Following week, returned to shop for further testing. Battery replaced and registered. When picking up vehicle, noticed nav screen was black, would not illuminate. 4 days later, it came on, but went out again the following day. The next day, engine shut down on interstate. While waiting for tow, wipers came on, door locks and windows would not work. Could not roll down window or open door to talk to safety patrol. Patrol jump started vehicle. It was later towed to dealer (where purchased). Nav screen is still black, dvd and cd do not work (cd changer spits out cds). Shifts very hard between gears. I am very afraid to drive this vehicle, as it cuts off intermittently and without notice. However, I have no choice, as I recently purchased it in August 2015; and I have too much negative equity to trade it for another vehicle.

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #1

Aug 152014

X5 8-cyl

  • 52,000 miles
On a recent ride home from vacation (summer 2014), my family and I had to endure our 2008 BMW X5 stalled out and slowed to about 30 mph on interstate 95. There were no warnings of a potential problem or any upcoming maintenance needed. The information screen stated cruise control/engine malfunction. We were extremely surprised, overly alarmed and frightened as this was a dangerous and unsafe event. We were not using and have never used the cruise control. My family was scared of this unsafe ordeal but thank god, no one was injured. After researching these conditions, we found this similar incident occur to many other X5 BMW owners and date back as far as 2001. This throttle body defect is a safety issue and can cause bodily harm or death. If this car decreases in power, especially on an interstate, serious and deadly accidents can occur. Quite interesting is that this same diagnosis was identified with previous owners who've only owned their vehicles less than a year. Research shows this condition has been an issue for the past 10 years and BMW has not acknowledged, recalled and corrected the problem. My 2008 BMW X5 has about 52,000 and receive regular maintenance on time and as required. More important, the day before the incident we checked the vehicle system check and all systems were "ok." And two days later, the car shut down with no warning. My car was taken to northwest BMW in owings mills who diagnosed the problem as a throttle body defect.

- Owings Mills, MD, USA