1.8
hardly worth mentioning- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 88,987 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
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 stationary. Https://static.NHTSA.gov/ODI/tsbs/2013/sb-10040177-8428.pdf https://static.NHTSA.gov/ODI/tsbs/2013/sb-10040177-8428.pdf
- Edgewater, MD, USA
My 2009 X5 with 127000 miles recently indicated a burnt out brake light. While replacing the light, I found the rear upper right brake light was burnt out, the taillight itself is melted, and the socket is severely melted and scorched. On further investigation, the opposite side (left/driver's side) was also melted! checking online, this appears to be a common problem. I am afraid this could be a fire hazard and was surprised to learn there is not an outstanding recall on the taillights for this vehicle.
- Westminster, MD, USA
I took my vehicle in to BMW service department because I was having problems with my vehicle dry starting (didn't want to start as if it was out of gas). Service guy informed me after he ran a diagnostic check that it was my battery. I was flabbergasted, because that didn't sound of a dead battery. I paid 460 (new battery and diagnostic check) and he assured he ran it again with the new battery and no codes was shown again. Before I even got into my vehicle the Transport guy notice a light on. Service guy checked it out and finds out rear light needs to be replaced, wait a few. Calls me in the back and says we have a big problem, the right tail light wiring harness has burnt and melted the socket and the whole assembly, which will now cost 380 to repair. My husband takes a look at the left side, and it's worst then the right side, which means both sides needs to be repaired. This is a huge safety issue because it could lead to a fire hazard and the owner would bot even know it. The service guy said he ran a check before and after the replacement of the new battery all within 24hrs, and it didn't it catch this huge safety issue that has been going on in my vehicle, which is naked to the eye unless someone opens up those departments and look with a flash light. Please be aware and lets get this resolved.
- Orlando, FL, USA
October 16, 2014 I started up my 2009 BMW X5 4.8I sav and the left brake lamp malfunction alert came on, as well as, the check engine light. I had a friend check to confirm the brake lights could still be seen before driving off. I was able to take the sav to the BMW dealer on October 22, 2014. The dealer states "both rear tail light lenses assemblies require replacement. The brake light bulbs contacts burned, melting lenses causing intermittently brake lights inoperable." I stated this sounds like a recall but instead they offer to service body repairs on the tail lights for a cost of $600+. I called bmwusa regarding this, however, there was no record of a recall for my sav. I asked about the recall for 134,100 model year 2008 -2010 528I, 535I, 550I, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007 - December 31, 2009 that was expected to begin during October 2013 since the X5 is based off of the 5 series but I was told again, there was no recall for my sav. This issue reduces the ability to warn other motorists of my intentions (braking, turn signal, reversing), increasing the risk of a crash. I believe the dealer should replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge.
- Mansfield, TX, USA
The rear tail lights get water leaks and corrosion and won't work. They need to be replaced. This happened on both the passenger and driver side lights.
- Eastchester, NY, USA
The headlights on low beam reach out only 3 car lengths. Traveling at 40 mph or more you have inadequate forward visibility, if there is an object or an animal in the road ahead, due to low distance visibility, you have no response time. The tech knowledge on these headlights for up and down and left to right movement are fine if you are going up hill or turning left or right. They have been to BMW service in lubbock and dallas Texas. I have had several friends and family drive this vehicle and they experience the same poor visibility.
- Big Spring, TX, USA
- Cleveland, OH, USA