10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
77,901 miles

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problem #22

Jul 052023

X5

  • miles
Sunroof window exploded/shattered without cause while driving on highway

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #21

Nov 292020

X5

  • 128,000 miles
Vehicle's engine, being a diesel, requires nox trap system and scr systems in order to reduce harmful emissions per epa standards. In order for the scr system to work properly, the engine must inject def (diesel-exhaust fluid) into the scr system. In the BMW X5 35D, the def system is comprised of two tanks: The active tank and the passive tank. A common problem with this system is the primary sensor of the passive tank failing. The sensor itself fails, but the entire tank has to be replaced as a result of the sensor's issues, resulting in several thousands of dollars being spent due to the sensor itself not being able to be replaced in the original tank. Recall is recommended for BMW to replace these sensors as the failure of these sensors results in the scr catalyst system failing to operate, which in turn significantly decreases engine performance, increases exhaust emissions, and results in the engine not knowing the capacity on which to operate. This can be dangerous.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #20

Jun 012020

X5

  • 95,000 miles
The following took place in June 2020. I still own the vehicle. I've garage kept my SUV, however recently I moved to city for work and been parking my X5 outside. It had been raining pretty hard in the last few days and I was driving w/ my 4-year-old in back when suddenly the dashboard warning lights and various messages on the entertainment screen started flashing. The warnings took me off guard and some of the messages that my engine may stall in the middle of traffic made me panic, especially with my kid in the back. I pulled over and started taking pictures messages. I researched and found the water from the sunroof leaks into the left side of the trunk where the electronics and audio equipment are located. (now I know it leaked on both side'as leith BMW technician found water on the right side too with electric wires submerged). I found about half a gallon of water accumulated. I took water out using a water bottle I cut in the middle and tried to dry off affected electronics. When I restarted the vehicle, the chimes are gone and so is the sound. The radio stations and navigation works, but there is absolutely no sound coming out. Also, the trunk lift gate does not automatically open anymore making it very hard to operate and the engine light won't go away. I contacted BMW and explained the situation and they told me to take my vehicle to BMW authorized dealer and pay out of pocket for it. That cost around $400. I kept receipt. All their communication was verbal as to not leave email trail. The only solid rejection letter I received is when they replied to my BBB complaint. So far I have contacted BMW directly who rejected my claims, BBB of New Jersey (where BMW is located) who contacted BMW directly and BMW sent a rejection letter, consumer reports, cpsp.gov who directed me to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Thank you for your help.

- Clayton, NC, USA

problem #19

Dec 242020

X5

  • 113,000 miles
Vehicle indicated the engine was operating at reduced power, unable to accelerate and barely able to pull over. Speed was reduced to 5mph in the middle of the highway.

- Summit, NJ, USA

problem #18

Nov 292019

X5

  • 138,000 miles
Burning smell coming from faulty/leaky egr cooler. Egr cooler is leaking internally and mixing with soot and being expelled onto front timing cover. Noticed smell after last service 11/29/19. Took to dealership to investigate 1/13/2020. After further research this is a known issue (recalled) with BMW diesels manufactured 2010 -2017 in the usa and also europe and Korea. The manufacturer dates need to be extend as this is a problem with vehicles outside the current recall dates.

- Pike Road, AL, USA

problem #17

Nov 282018

X5

  • 180,000 miles
I am having an exhaust leak into my cabin. I already replaced the egr cooler and it went away, but now the smell is back.

- Bennington, NE, USA

problem #16

Feb 282017

X5

  • 111,000 miles
Drove my vehicle in to the BMW dealer for coolant leak/water pump service and oil change. The next day they inform me the car stalled during a standard test drive after the service was performed. The were unable to specify what caused the engine to stall and did not release diagnostics to me but told me that a new engine was needed. NY state dept of vehicle forwarded a report stating vanos faults. There are currently BMW recalls for engine and engine cooling, electric auxiliary water pump failure, and an unspecified recall for vanos bolts unit that loosen or break over time causing the engine to have reduced power or stall. My VIN number is not under these recalls but should be.

- Center Moriches, NY, USA

problem #15

Sep 292019

X5

  • 82,000 miles
Upon starting my car at a friend's house, I heard a brief electrical buzzing noise that then stopped. It sounded like the radiator fan, but the fan wasn't moving. I drove my car approximately 15 miles home and parked it. About 2.5 hours later, from inside my home, I heard the sound of what seemed to be a small explosion. I looked outside and my car's engine compartment was engulfed in flames. It had parked, unused with the motor off for more than two hours on a cool day with temperatures in the 40S with no warning indicators lights or messages. I later learned BMW had issued a recall for electrical fires, however, I never receiveda recall notice. Press reports note that more than 90 such fires have been reported to your Agency, and I can still find no documentation on your website of this problem.

- Cody, WY, USA

problem #14

Mar 012017

X5

  • 111,000 miles
Vanos bolts, engine and engine cooling, engine stall, coolant fuel pump

- Blue Point, NY, USA

problem #13

Sep 282018

X5

  • 88,308 miles
'takata recall' when the heat or ac is on air from vent start to burn my eyes. Whenever I'm in my vehicle I leave out feeling sleepy. Cabin filter has been changed as well as others problem continues. Also the leather on the dash board is pulling away from the vent. Plastic wood trim cracks over time leaving the vehicle looking cheaply built

- Far Rockaway, NY, USA

problem #12

Sep 282018

X5

  • 155,000 miles
I was told I have issues with the nox sensor and scr catalyst. I have also been preovusly told that the entire diesel emissions system was faulty and it would cost me $6000 to repair. Because I have 155K miles on the car nothing falls under warranty. BMW is also unsure that the oxygen sensor is really the problem so it will cost me $1000 to replace that and hope it works. The issue now is my car is giving me a message "incorrect diesel fluid" even though there is correct fluid in (since the dealer is the only one who has ever put any in there) and is at the full level. The sensor is now saying I only have 60 miles to drive it before it won't start again. What I am most disturbed about is that there is information that there was a recall on this exact issue but because I can't find a recall number they will not honor it and will not fix my car. www.autonews.com/article/20120504/retail05/120509927/BMW-will-recall-diesel-models-to-fix-emissions-glitch I have been with BMW for a number of years and my family has purchased quite a few. As a result of this, I have now had to purchase another car (a Nissan) and had to take an uber to the lot to pick it up since my car may not even make it to the lot and back.

- East Orange, NJ, USA

problem #11

Oct 262017

X5 6-cyl

  • 44,063 miles
The service adviser at the BMW dealership mentioned that the dmtl pump in my vehicle has failed. I found the below document regarding the dmtl pump. Https://static.NHTSA.gov/ODI/tsbs/2012/sb-10051299-3508.pdf can you please check this and let me know of my options? thanks [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Shakopee, MN, USA

problem #10

Dec 172014

X5

  • 56,000 miles
My wife's BMW was parked in our garage upon returning from the dealership where a service recall had been performed. The car self combusted destroying the BMW X5, my BMW 328 xi, our garage and portions of our condo adjacent to the garage.

- Waltham, MA, USA

problem #9

Feb 052016

X5

  • miles
Over one year there are 3 recall incomplete with my car: 1. Feb 05, 2016 NHTSA recall number16V071, driver's front air bag 2. May 13,2016 NHTSA recall number16V311 front driveshaft 3. Oct 13,2016 NHTSA recall number16V746 in-tank fuel pump

- Syosset, NY, USA

problem #8

May 122017

X5

  • 73,000 miles
I was driving on the freeway and alll of a sudden I received an audible and visual warning stating that the passenger restraint system malfunctioned. At the time, there were no passengers in the vehicle. This seems to be an occurring issue with BMW vehicles. I've had the same problem on two other vehicles.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #7

Jul 112017

X5

  • 95,000 miles
Water pump I was driving down the highway when I got the signal to drive slow or moderate because the engine it's getting hot I pulled over turn off the car got outside to smoke a cigarette and I could smell something burning more like wire burning

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #6

May 012014

X5

  • 50,000 miles
Vehicle was parked in garage at home and randomly burst into flames at approximately 2am. Fire caused over $800,000 in damage and home took well over a year to repair. Insurance and fire investigators determined that the cause of the fire could not have been anything in the garage with the exception of the car, but I have yet to receive any type of formal report and it has been over three years.

- Los Alamitos, CA, USA

problem #5

Oct 172016

X5

  • 80,000 miles
Front drive shaft: I was on the road with my wife and 1year old son when a loud bang sound originated from underneath the car traveling at approximately 70 mph. I pulled over to the side luckily without causing any accidents and looked beneath it to find the drive shaft dangling below. I know there was a recall issued in this matter but it only applied to earlier models by a few months. Why is this happening at all when the car only has 80K miles?

- Renton, WA, USA

problem #4

Nov 162015

X5

  • miles
In 5 years since I bought this vehicle new, I have had to replace the air conditioner evaporator 4 times. The first three times were covered under warranty, and the last one I had to pay for out-of-pocket.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #3

Aug 282015

X5

  • 40,000 miles
This car only has a little over 40K miles. Was driving long distance on freeway and slowly I notice strange noise coming from the wheel well area from inside the car. I jacked the car up and do a spin and turn out it is the bearing making noise. Can't believe this fails at such a low mileage. Will this affect the driveshaft or anything safety of the car at high speed. Please let me know if BMW has a recall for this. Thanks

- Rego Park, NY, USA

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