Far fewer Too few recent reports to judgeNHTSA has received 33 owner complaints about the 2023 BMW X5, or 8.7 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.22, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #22 of 92 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other BMW models its rate is 27% lower; against other Luxury SUVs it is 39% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2022-10-19 and 2026-09-28. Median delay from incident to filing: 6 days.
33Complaints
8.7Complaints per year on the road
0.22Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
4Recalls
9.1%Share involving a crash or fire
13Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2022) drew 15.2 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2024) drew 52.0 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2023 model collected 16 complaints, 81% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (24.2% of complaints), followed by Transmission / powertrain (21.2%) and Engine (15.2%). Electrical complaints are 1.5 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 3 reports (9.1%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 25 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (33% of incidents). 13 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year.
Safety recalls (4)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) Campaign 23V821000 · 2023-12-06
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 8 Series Coupe (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Convertible (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Gran Coupe (850i xDrive, M8), X3 SAV (X3 xDrive30i, X3M), X4 SAV (X4 xDrive30i), X5 SAV (X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M), X6 SAV (X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M), and Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i vehicles. The weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit's cover may not have been manufactured properly, which could allow automatic transmission oil to leak into the transmission control unit.
Risk: Transmission oil that leaks into the control unit can lead to a seizure of the transmission gears, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission mechatronics module and the automatic transmission fluid, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 26, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT Campaign 23V253000 · 2023-04-06
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5 M and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The head restraints for the second-row outboard seats may have been improperly manufactured without locking tabs in the guide sleeves. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
Risk: A head restraint without a locking tab may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the second-row outboard seat head restraint guide sleeves, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS Campaign 22V942000 · 2022-12-19
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, X5 M50i and X5 xDrive 45e vehicles. One of the four bolts that connects the backrest to the driver's seat frame may not have been correctly installed.
Risk: A loose driver's seat backrest may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat backrest and if necessary, install an attachment bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 17, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD Campaign 22V820000 · 2022-11-02
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive45e, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle which could allow water to enter the vehicle and contact electrical components, possibly resulting in a short-circuit.
Risk: An electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the windshield seal and as necessary, remove and reinstall the windshield with a new seal, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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