BMW X5 Recalls

The BMW X5 has 150 recalls spanning the 1999 through 2026 model years, with the most serious recent issue being a brake system malfunction on 2024–2025 models where the integrated brake system can lose power assist and disable anti-lock braking and stability control, extending stopping distances and reducing vehicle control.

The current and near-current generation carries a substantial number of recalls. On 2026 models, the windshield may not seal properly, allowing water to reach the power distribution box or electronic control unit and cause failures including loss of headlights. Also on 2026 vehicles, the instrument panel may be manufactured incorrectly, preventing the passenger airbag from deploying properly. The 2025 model year has a seat belt warning system that may fail to alert occupants of an unbuckled belt and an airbag system that may not deploy as intended. On 2024 models, the instrument panel can separate during airbag deployment and send pieces toward occupants, and both the knee airbags and front passenger airbag may fail to deploy as intended. The 2023 model year has a windshield that may not be properly bonded, allowing water to contact electrical components and create a fire risk; a driver's seat backrest bolt that may be incorrectly installed, reducing crash restraint; and second-row head restraints that can detach in a crash.

The 2021 model year has several overlapping concerns: hybrid battery cells on xDrive45e variants can short-circuit due to manufacturing debris or loose weld material, raising fire risk; the steering column shaft universal joint can loosen and affect handling; the right front control arm weld can separate; and second-row head restraints may be the wrong type and detach in a crash. On 2020 models, the steering rack pinion teeth can break under load and cause a sudden loss of steering, and a loose bolt from the starter motor can fall into the transmission housing and stall the engine. The 2019–2020 model years share a starter motor that can overheat from electrical overload and ignite nearby engine compartment material, and a steering column bearing plate that can loosen and affect handling. On 2019 models specifically, left-side wheel bolts may not be properly tightened and can allow a wheel to detach, and a high-pressure fuel pump flange can crack and leak fuel near ignition sources.

Going back to the mid-2010s, the 2018 model year has front suspension bolts that may not be properly tightened, and a front lower-left control arm pivot bolt that can break and affect vehicle handling. The 2016 xDrive40e has a loose engine ground cable that can cause the transmission to shift unexpectedly into neutral. On 2014–2017 diesel xDrive35d models, the exhaust gas recirculation cooler can crack and the intake manifold can melt, raising fire risk; the diesel high-pressure fuel pump can also fail and stall the engine. The 2014–2015 model years have driver's frontal airbag inflators that were improperly welded and can rupture in a crash, sending metal fragments toward occupants. The 2015 model year also has a rear seat belt attachment weld that can break in a crash, and head protection system airbags that may not inflate fully. On 2016–2018 plug-in hybrid xDrive40e models, a wiring connector can short-circuit and cause a fire.

The 2007–2013 model years carry the bulk of the Takata airbag recalls, affecting