What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2020 BMW X5

Typical pattern

2.5% of complaints about the 2020 BMW X5 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2020 vehicle — around the middle of the 178 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.6 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (38 complaints), typically at 5.6 yr or about 60,000 miles.

Complaints
157
Median age at failure
5.6 yr
Median mileage
60,000 n=36
Crash / fire / tow
26.1% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
38 reports · 60,000 mi
5.6 yr
39.5%
Engine
32 reports · 64,671 mi
6.3 yr
12.5%
Power train
17 reports · 70,000 mi
5.9 yr
5.9%
Other
15 reports · 170 mi
5.8 yr
33.3%
Engine cooling
15 reports · 48,000 mi
5.5 yr
73.3%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

25V644000 2025-09-25
Electrical system:starter assembly

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 340I, X6, 2020-2025 840I, 2020-2022 740LI, 2019-2020 X7, and X5 vehicles. After repeated attempts, the starter motor may overheat from an electrical overload.

An overheated starter motor can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.

24V576000 2024-08-01
Electrical system:starter assembly

BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5, X7, 2020 3 Series Sedan, X6, 2020-2021 7 Series Sedan, 2020 8 Series Convertible, 8 Series Coupe, and 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. In the event the starter motor fails, repeated attempts to start the vehicle can cause the starter motor to overheat from an electrical overload.

A starter motor that overheats can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.

22V267000 2022-04-20
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive); 2019-2022 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M; 2021-2022 X5 xdrive45e; 2020-2022 X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6M and 2019-2023 X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, X7 xDrive60i, X7 M60i, X7M, Alpina XB7 vehicles. The roof function control unit may be programmed incorrectly, allowing the sunroof to close without the key fob present inside the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standa

A sunroof that closes without the key fob present inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury.

21V096000 2021-02-19
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li x

If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

21V062000 2021-02-10
Service brakes, hydraulic

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, and 2021 M3, M3 Competition, M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, X5 xDrive45e, 745 Le xDrive. The rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and could separate during a hard braking event, possibly

A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.

20V678000 2020-11-04
Suspension:front:control arm

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i and X6M vehicles and 2021 X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket may separate.

If the weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket separates, vehicle handling and control may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

20V528000 2020-09-01
Exterior lighting:headlights

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X6 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M, X7 M50i and 2021 X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The headlamps may allow a blue light to illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Oncoming drivers may be confused by the blue light of approaching vehicles, which could potentially increase the risk of a crash.

20V465000 2020-08-07
Power train:automatic transmission

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive 40i, X5 xDrive 40i and one X7 xDrive 40i vehicle. The starter motor may have an extra bolt that could potentially fall into the transmission housing and cause an engine stall.

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

20V434000 2020-07-28
Steering

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i and X5 xDrive50i vehicles and 2020 X6M vehicles. The steering column shaft bearing plate may not have been properly attached to the vehicle, allowing it to loosen.

A loose bearing plate can affect the vehicle's handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

19V684000 2019-09-27
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce C

The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 4,000 mi 8 mo in service
NAVIGATION DISPLAY AND RIGHT SIDE OF INSTRUMENT PANEL GO BLANK INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN RESET AND COME BACK ON AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS. DISPLAY GOES OFF DURING PERIODS OF DRIVING AND OR STATIONARY WITH VEHICLE ENGINE RUNNING. OCCURS DURING TIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND CITY DRIVING. *TR
Electrical system 4,000 mi 11 mo in service
MY SAMSUNG GALAXY S9 PHONE SEEMS INCOMPATIBLE WITH MY X5. ABOUT EVERY 30 MINUTES THE NAV DISPLAY AND HALF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BLACK OUT FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS THEN RESTARTS. THIS OCCURS ON THE HIGHWAY AND IN THE CITY.
Electrical system 40,800 mi 3.3 yr in service
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X5. The contact stated that the PUSH to START button was inoperable. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the control sensor for the start button to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,800.
Other 170 mi 9 mo in service
AIR CONDITIONING QUIT WORKING ON DAY 2 OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER SAYS THE COMPRESSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THERE IS A LEAD TIME BETWEEN 2 WEEKS AND 2 MONTHS. AFTER PURCHASING A CAR THAT COST ABOUT $125,000 AND DRIVING IT ONE TIME, IT HAD TO BE SENT TO THE SHOP. SINCE IT IS SO HOT WHERE I LIVE, DRIVING THE CAR IS OUT OF THE QUESTION. BMW DID GIVE ME A LOANER CAR, BUT THE VALUE OF THE LOANER IS ABOUT 45% OF THE CAR I PURCHASED. *TR

Other X5 model years

202420222021202020192017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200320022001

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