InsightArise CarsU.S. Owner Complaint Index
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BMW X5 Engine problems

1.11 vs. all vehicles Steady

189 of the 768 complaints about the BMW X5 (24.6%) concern Engine, making it the model's second-largest problem area. That share is 1.1× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.

189Complaints · Engine
24.6%Share of complaints
1.11×vs. all vehicles
76Last 12 months
5.3%Share involving a crash or fire
1Related recalls

Analysis

By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2019 model (60, 33% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2023 model (4). 76 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 67 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.

Owners most often describe: “starter”, “oil pump”, “engine”, “cooling” and “drivetrain”. 11 of these reports (5.3%) describe a crash or fire, with 1 injury and 0 deaths mentioned.

1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 24V608000 (2024-08-13, model years 2018).

By model year

2018: 20 20 2018 2019: 60 60 2019 2020: 44 44 2020 2021: 30 30 2021 2022: 14 14 2022 2023: 4 4 2023 2024: 13 13 2024 2025: 4 4 2025
YearComplaintsShare of complaints
20182028.6%
20196032.8%
20204441.1%
20213029.1%
20221420.3%
2023412.9%
2024139.0%
202546.6%

When complaints were filed

2019: 1 1 2019 2020: 3 3 2020 2021: 8 8 2021 2022: 5 5 2022 2023: 13 13 2023 2024: 39 39 2024 2025: 67 67 2025 2026: 53 53 2026

Last 12 months: 76 · Previous 12 months: 67

Common terms in reports

  • starter52
  • oil pump39
  • engine119
  • cooling36
  • drivetrain27
  • plastic29

What owners report

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.

Problem areas · BMW X5

BMW X5 problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›

Related reading

Frequently asked questions

How common are Engine problems on the BMW X5?

189 of the 768 complaints about the BMW X5 (24.6%) concern Engine, making it the model's second-largest problem area. That share is 1.1× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.

Which BMW X5 model years have the most Engine complaints?

By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2019 model (60, 33% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2023 model (4).

Is there a recall for BMW X5 Engine problems?

1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 24V608000 (2024-08-13, model years 2018).