NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The starter motor may overheat due to electrical overload after repeated starting attempts.
This page covers 18 recalls, 168 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2019 BMW X5.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Electrical system complaints dominate owner reports for the 2019 BMW X5, accounting for the largest share of filed concerns. Owners frequently describe warning lights and system malfunctions tied to the vehicle's electronics, including issues with the emergency call system failing due to water intrusion through the roof antenna, which dealers reportedly confirm as a known pattern causing GPS and wireless connectivity loss. A handful of owners also report auxiliary battery-related problems, including what they describe as heat damage to battery hardware. Engine complaints are the second most-reported category, with owners describing sudden, unwarned failures at higher mileages, some specifically around 75,000 to 80,000 miles, often with no dashboard alerts preceding the loss of engine function. Steering rounds out the top three reported systems, though the representative complaints don't detail a single dominant symptom pattern there. The antenna water intrusion leading to communication module corrosion is one of the more consistently described electrical failure paths across multiple reports.
168
Total Complaints
4
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
By System
The 2019 BMW X5 has 18 recalls, the most serious involving multiple fire risks: a high-pressure fuel pump that can crack and leak fuel near ignition sources, and a starter motor that can overheat and ignite material in the engine compartment.
Several structural and control issues round out the serious concerns. Left-side wheel bolts can loosen over time and allow a wheel to detach, potentially striking other vehicles or people. A loose steering column shaft bearing plate can affect handling and steering control. A software fault can disable anti-lock brakes and reduce braking assistance. Faulty capacitors in the body control module can short circuit and overheat, adding a third fire risk. On certain vehicles, an instrument panel manufacturing error can prevent the passenger airbag from deploying in a crash, and driver's seat and seatbelt attachment bolts may not hold in a crash if improperly tightened.
Two separate recalls cover rearview camera software that can produce a missing or reduced image when reversing. The sunroof can be closed remotely without the key fob present, posing an entrapment risk. The remaining recalls are label-related: missing or incorrect airbag warning labels on the sun visors and, on one vehicle, a missing VIN label.
At a glance
What can fail
The starter motor may overheat due to electrical overload after repeated starting attempts.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
The engine starter will be replaced at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The starter motor may fail, and repeated start attempts can cause it to overheat from electrical overload.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the vehicle software at no charge to prevent starter overheating.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The sunroof control unit may be programmed incorrectly, allowing the sunroof to close even when the key fob is not inside the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the roof function control unit at no cost to restore proper sunroof operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software issue allows the sunroof to close remotely using the key fob even when it's not in or near the vehicle, violating Canadian safety regulations.
What the fix does
BMW will mail instructions to visit a dealership for reprogramming the roof control unit, or you can install an over-the-air software update.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument panel may not be correctly manufactured, which could prevent the passenger side air bag from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
A dealer will replace the instrument panel at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
When shifting into Reverse, the rearview camera display may show a partially obscured image or fail to illuminate, reducing rear visibility.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and update the rearview camera software as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rotor and shaft inside the brake system may not be properly welded and could separate during hard braking, causing loss of ABS and braking assistance.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the integrated brake system at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering column shaft bearing plate may not be properly attached, allowing it to loosen over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the bearing plate and properly attach or replace it as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The backup camera display can be adjusted to hide the rear view image, and the vehicle remembers this setting when put in reverse, leaving the screen blank.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the backup camera software at no cost to restore the display functionality.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wheel bolts on the left side may not be properly tightened, causing them to loosen or fall off and potentially allow the wheel to separate from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the left side wheel bolts and properly tighten them to secure the wheels.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left side wheel bolts may not have been tightened enough at the factory and could gradually come loose.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove and reinstall the left side wheel bolts with proper tightening, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high pressure fuel pump may not be properly secured to the engine, causing the pump flange to crack and leak fuel.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Your vehicle's VIN label is missing from under the windshield. Canadian law requires this label to be visible from outside the vehicle.
What the fix does
BMW will mail you instructions to visit a dealer, who will install the missing VIN label on your vehicle.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts securing the driver's seat and/or seat belt may be insufficiently tightened, allowing the seat or belt to loosen or detach during a crash. A rattling noise near the seat base may indicate loose bolts.
What the fix does
BMW will mail you instructions to visit a dealer, where technicians will inspect and tighten the seat and seat belt bolts as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts that attach the driver's seat and seat belt may not be properly tightened, potentially causing them to loosen.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the attachment bolts to correct specifications.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The airbag warning label on the driver and/or passenger sun visor may be missing or incorrect, failing to provide required safety information about airbags.
What the fix does
A dealer will inspect your vehicle and install a new sun visor with the correct label if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver and passenger sun visors may be missing or have an incorrect air bag warning label, failing to meet federal occupant protection safety standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the sun visors as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Capacitors in the Body Domain Controller may short circuit and overheat, potentially affecting vehicle electrical functions.
What the fix does
BMW dealers will replace the Body Domain Controller unit at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
