NHTSA has received 31 owner complaints about the 2023 BMW X5, or 8.4 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.20, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #22 for fewest complaints per year. Against other BMW models its rate is 28% lower; against other Luxury SUVs it is 44% 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 2026-08-10. Median delay from incident to filing: 6 days.
31Complaints
8.4Complaints per year on the road
0.2Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
4Recalls
9.7%Share involving a crash or fire
11Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2022) drew 14.8 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2024) drew 53.8 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 (25.8% of complaints), followed by Transmission / powertrain (19.4%) and Engine (12.9%). Electrical complaints are 1.6 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Electrical reports, owners most often mention “dash”, “safety” and “warning”. 3 reports (9.7%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 19 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (36% of incidents). 11 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year. 32% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.2
vs. other BMW models0.72
vs. other 2023 models0.2
vs. other Luxury SUVs0.56
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (16)0.19
While driving the vehicle at highway speed, the vehicle did not respond as expected during braking. Upon attempting to slow the vehicle, control was lost, the vehicle became unstable, left the roadway, and rolled.
Brakes · 2025-12-30 · ODI 11707697 · Crash
The car safety features should not allow the vehicle to move with an open door. It should also alert driver with warning if passenger door is ajar before and when in motion.
Electrical · 2024-08-20 · ODI 11609660 · Crash
2023 BMW X5 had a defective water pump replaced under warranty at 27,585 miles on 9/12/2024. Today 8/10/2026 at 52,907 miles the water pump again needs to be replaced.
Engine · 2026-08-10 · ODI 11756061
A manufacturer defect caused connector pin corrosion and thus the head unit dash stopped working completely and needs to be replaced. The head unit is what the back up camera comes through causing safety concern.
Electrical · 2026-07-29 · ODI 11753617
Sunroof leaks into cabin and there is no known solution for this model year 2023 BMW X5. It is my understanding that model years 2020-2023 all have this issue and a class action lawsuit is being reviewed.
Body & structure · 2026-06-23 · ODI 11745920
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
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.
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.
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.
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.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2023 BMW X5?
31 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2023 BMW X5, or about 8.4 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2023 BMW X5?
The most common category is Electrical, accounting for 25.8% of complaints.
Does the 2023 BMW X5 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2023 BMW X5 still generating complaints?
11 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
How does the 2023 BMW X5 compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 31 owner complaints about the 2023 BMW X5, or 8.4 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.20, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #22 for fewest complaints per year. Against other BMW models its rate is 28% lower; against other Luxury SUVs it is 44% lower.