202 of the 825 complaints about the BMW X5 (24.5%) concern Engine, making it the model's second-largest problem area. That share is 1.1× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
202Complaints · Engine
24.5%Share of complaints
1.1×vs. all vehicles
82Last 12 months
5.9%Share involving a crash or fire
1Related recalls
Analysis
82 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 68 in the 12 months before — up 21%.
13 of these reports (5.9%) describe a crash or fire, with 9 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 24V608000 (2024-08-13, model year 2018).
I have a 2026 BMW X5 50E. I experienced the same malfunction twice in the same day. The first occurrence was when I was taking my husband to a doctors appointment.
Engine · 2026-08-01 · ODI 11754180 · Crash
While driving through west Los Angeles, the vehicle suddenly began emitting white smoke from the engine compartment. There were no prior warning lights, messages, or symptoms indicating a problem. The smoke quickly intensified and turned dark.
Engine · 2026-03-05 · ODI 11722345 · Fire
Component: Engine / Fuel/Propulsion System / Engine Cooling Vehicle Odometer at Failure: 463 Miles Date of Incident: September 8, 2026 Description of Safety Hazard: While driving a brand-new 2026 BMW X5 with only 463 total miles on the odometer (purchased on…
Engine · 2026-09-24 · ODI 11766793
My 2021 BMW X5 xDrive40i intermittently fails to start, occurring on approximately 80% of start attempts, and displays the message "Repeat Start Attempt." This has been confirmed by code reading to be a starter-related malfunction.
Engine · 2026-09-23 · ODI 11766408
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X5. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the "Emergency SOS Malfunction" message was displayed.
Engine · 2026-09-18 · ODI 11765341
Check Control : Add engine coolant. Risk of scalding. Engine coolant level low. Risk of engine damage. Add engine coolant as soon as possible. sign came up.
Engine · 2026-09-18 · ODI 11765404
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP Campaign 24V608000 · 2024-08-13 · Model years: 2018
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Why modern engines burn oil, and what owner complaints revealDesign choices linked to oil consumption in recent engines, the warning signs owners describe, what counts as normal, and which tracked models currently have the highest engine share in their complaints.
