10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
52,328 miles

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problem #70

Nov 082023

X5

  • miles
X5 was off, parked and the engine compartment burst into flames. Car was totaled There was apparently a recall issues in 2022 in which I was unaware and had no direct contact from the BMW dealer I purchased it from. The recall states that in some vehicles, this part could cause a fire. Well, I had a fire and there was zero indication of anything wrong with the car.

- Newtown, PA, USA

problem #69

Jun 012023

X5

  • miles
My 2008 BMW X5 was taken to a shop to be diagnosed due to Diagnosis as followed:( low coolant light coming on) -??coolant crossover pipe from timing belt cover leaking-?? it is available for inspection, although it is not safe to drive. The low coolant light went off after I put more in it and did not come back on. Me and my then 10 month old were picking my 14 year old up from school and I noticed smoke pouring out of the hood. There was no warning lights or anything. Then the air conditioner started to blow smoke out as well. I cut the car off and it continued to smoke for approximately an hour. The car was about to catch on fire with no warning lights and the hazardous smoke out of the vents. The problem was diagnosed by Dan-??s Auto Center. I can not move my car because it will smoke at the engine and cause a fire risk. The low coolant sensor came on a few days after purchased. I took it to get it diagnosed and the cost from that place quoted approximately 3,000 dollars. I put coolant in it and did not drive it for awhile. The sensor went off and the coolant was still full. There were no signs, no sensor, no overheating, just all the sudden huge clouds of smoke coming from my hood of the car. BMW has a lot of recalls for this same situation, but my car (year) is not listed.I do not understand this. Please add my car to the list, this is a 2000 to 3000 job and I have to get my car towed to a place if I ever can. Can I take this to a BMW Place and ask them to fix due to other recalls? This was very scary for me and my children. -??The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles, a melting intake manifold, and potentially fire, -??according to BMW.

- Sherwood , OR, USA

problem #68

Dec 232022

X5

  • miles
Open recall since March of 2022, no remedy yet still available

- Lakewood, NJ, USA

problem #67

Dec 102022

X5

  • miles
On 12/10/2022 I was driving to work and my BMW started smelling of like electrical fire. I pulled over on a exit in Sweetwater, TN and upon exiting the vehicle I noticed flames under the hood of the car. The car was on fire somewhere in the engine. A passerbuyer stopped and called 911 for me Christianburg, TN fire Dept. done the report. But BMW has a recall on this vehicle for over 1yr with no remedy to fix knowing the car can catch on fire. Luckily I was not injured but I suffered a total loss from my vehicle. Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (pcv) NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 22V119000 Report Date: Mar 02, 2022 Consequence: 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. What You Should Do: 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 owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Summary: 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 X

- Lenoir City, TN, USA

problem #66

Nov 132022

X5

  • miles
when cold car will hesitate to start.

- Doraville, GA, USA

problem #65

Feb 012022

X5

  • miles
This car is not safe to drive, when you accelerate lots of black smoke come from tail pipe and loose power at the same time, Its burning through spark plugs Im having to change them at least every 2 wks plugs cost 15$ a piece, Its burning through oil oil leaks popping up random all over every 2 weeks its burning through 5 quarts of oil, oil is 18$ a quart, Do to the lose of power i have to take the access roads to and from work. Its causing me to miss a lot of work Im afraid for my wife and kids to be in the car with me its just not safe we got the letter from BMW 2 months ago about the recall what is considered a timely manner because 2 months is a ling time we need this resolved asap bmw just giving us the run arounds verses solving this issue. This car has been riding this unsafe way for at least 6 months and its getting worst by the day, its costing us to much money plus lose of work

- Sanantonio, TX, USA

problem #64

Aug 102022

X5

  • miles
PCV MY safety of my self and my 5 yr 17 yr I use my BMW X5 to take my kids or doctors and school and I work too and something need to be happen about this bc My family are AT RISK OF GETTING CAUGHT ON FIRE when iam starting up the car black smoke or white smoke comes out and when iam driving and people who are behind in they car get smoke out my lots of smoke that comes from my car in back and yes ita a RECALL on my car Manufactuer NO warning just smoke and driving very and had it look at then i was told

- Sa, TX, USA

problem #63

Mar 152022

X5

  • miles
this vehicle is dangerous and I cannot drive it without it smoking and overheating, exhaust or fumes get inside the vehicle not safe for my family, I bought it last year and have had problems since and I cant get it fixed. I tried to call the BMW office last year to no avail and no returned calls, I constantly had to fill coolant when driving and afraid to drive no more because smoke from engine and smell of smoke is frightening while on the road. can't drive this vehicle anymore

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #62

Mar 012020

X5

  • miles
oil leaked from the engine dripping over auxaust and casing fume to inter the capen. mechanick indicate the engine cover is made out of plastic and it warped and cause the oil to leak.

- Los Osos, CA, USA

problem #61

Dec 182021

X5

  • miles
I don't know ?

- Elmhurst, NY, USA

problem #60

Sep 162020

X5

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the coolant level low, pull over warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact was able to drive home and added coolant into coolant reservoir however, the coolant leaked out. Prior to the failure, the contact stated that the engine fan could be heard from the engine while driving at various speeds, and that light gray smoke would emit from the engine. The contact had an independent mechanic come to her home who inspected the vehicle and informed her of NHTSA campaign number: 12E029000 (engine and engine cooling) which he linked to the failure. The contact then called the manufacturer who notified her that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to NHTSA for further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #59

Sep 032019

X5

  • 104,000 miles
Brought my 2008 X5 in for the crankcase (PCV) recall. The dealer (the BMW store in cincinnati) told me the serpentine belt had to be removed for the repair and while removing the belt, the tensioner pully fell off. This was described as "due to an existing broken bolt" in the engine block. The dealer said I would either have to pay to repair or they would put the car back as found and can not be held if the car broke down. Is the dealer liable to repair this since the car was fully operational when it was brought in for the recall?

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #58

Jun 072019

X5

  • 165,000 miles
The engine idler pulley bolt broken

- 08873, NJ, USA

problem #57

May 312019

X5

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle decelerated on its own and the overheat indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer in ft Washington, pa where it was diagnosed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #56

Feb 112019

X5

  • 85,232 miles
I was driving about 20 mph and all of the sudden I heard a snap noise and steering wheel became hard to move, I managed to park the car safely and turns out the bolt that holds the tensioner pulley broke off. The repair is thousands of dollars, I almost had an accident and because I was only doing 20 mph I managed to avoid an accident and others safety. Imagine if I was on the highway doing 70 mph. I would like BMW to pay for my repair and make it doesn't happen anymore to me or anyone else.

- Cliffside Park, NJ, USA

problem #55

Sep 182018

X5

  • 64,000 miles
Ongoing problems with failing parts on a sav with only 67,000 miles. Issues include leaking valve cover gasket, leaking brake vacuum pump, drive belts worn (A/C and main), water pump failure. Expensive repairs (some completed, some yet to be completed). Also, idrive doesn't work. Many BMW X5 owners are experiencing the exact same issues, even with mileages as low as 40,000. BMW says "tough luck." BMW needs to issue recalls on several of these components for free replacement but have not done so. How can they get away with this?

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #54

Nov 272018

X5

  • 90,000 miles
Started my 2008 BMW X5 4.8I with only 90,000 miles a big puddle formed under the car. Towed the car to independent shop they said the alternator bracket gasket went bad prematurely noted by the repair shop said it's a common factory defect an that there might be a recall out for this.

- Elkhart, IN, USA

problem #53

Dec 012018

X5

  • 103,000 miles
Vehicle started smoke from engine area and caught on fire. Vehicle was in motion driving on a city street at normal speed. I pulled over and got myself and child out of vehicle. Vehicle preceded to burn and was fully engulfed. Fire fighters extinguished fire.

- Montclair, NJ, USA

problem #52

Jan 122018

X5

  • 82,526 miles
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. While driving 15 mph, the vehicle lost power and multiple warning indicators illuminated. The contact's spouse had to turn the steering wheel sharply to reach the shoulder of the road before almost being sideswiped by another vehicle. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was serviced per an unknown recall. The vehicle was taken to BMW of bel air Maryland (716 bel air rd, bel air, md 21014, (443) 345-2712) where a diagnostic failure code could not be found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,526.

- Aberdeen, MD, USA

problem #51

May 022018

X5 6-cyl

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. While stationary, the vehicle caught fire. The contact noticed smoke coming from the area of the windshield wipers and from under the hood. Upon opening the hood of the vehicle, flames surrounded the engine. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries sustained. Crevier BMW in santa ana, California was made aware of the failure. Prior to the fire, the dealer replaced the PCV valve per NHTSA campaign number: 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 87,000.

- Irvine, CA, USA

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