BMW X5 years to avoid
More than twice the X5's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best BMW X5 years
Fewest owner complaints among the last 20 model years, counting only those with at least four years on the road.
BMW X5 complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common BMW X5 problems
All model years combined.
- Engine912
- Airbags599
- Electrical556
- Transmission442
- Fuel system403
- Brakes306
- Driver assistance191
- Steering137
- Body119
- Visibility96
- Lights88
- Seats84
BMW X5 problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | - | 30 | Electrical | 2 | 4 | ||
| 2025 | - | 63 | Brakes | 2,000 | 5 | 9 | |
| 2024 | - | 145 | Brakes | 9,000 | 8 | 9 | |
| 2023 | - | 34 | Transmission | 4 | 3 | ||
| 2022 | 81 | 72 | Transmission | 40,000 | 1 | 9 | Fewest complaints |
| 2021 | 67 | 114 | Electrical | 36,400 | 12 | 10 | |
| 2020 | 68 | 114 | Engine | 60,000 | 11 | 3 | |
| 2019 | 50 | 195 | Electrical | 29,515 | 13 | 4 | |
| 2018 | 80 | 73 | Engine | 32,000 | 5 | 2 | Fewest complaints |
| 2017 | 78 | 75 | Fuel system | 29,000 | 6 | 3 | |
| 2016 | 80 | 74 | Electrical | 54,000 | 5 | 3 | |
| 2015 | 60 | 152 | Engine | 68,000 | 6 | 6 | |
| 2014 | 70 | 99 | Fuel system | 28,000 | 8 | 3 | |
| 2013 | 61 | 149 | Engine | 62,000 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2012 | 38 | 271 | Engine | 69,500 | 10 | 4 | Avoid |
| 2011 | 39 | 264 | Engine | 69,716 | 14 | 5 | Avoid |
| 2010 | 66 | 124 | Engine | 69,800 | 14 | 2 | |
| 2009 | 62 | 138 | Fuel system | 83,000 | 12 | 3 | |
| 2008 | 46 | 215 | Engine | 74,000 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2007 | 77 | 71 | Airbags | 113,000 | 8 | 1 | Fewest complaints |
| 2006 | 59 | 169 | Airbags | 85,000 | 2 | 5 | |
| 2005 | 76 | 82 | Engine | 89,000 | 2 | 3 | |
| 2004 | 75 | 64 | Engine | 89,000 | 4 | 4 | |
| 2003 | 74 | 99 | Engine | 74,200 | 3 | 4 | |
| 2002 | 75 | 102 | Engine | 87,905 | 3 | 3 | |
| 2001 | 54 | 160 | Engine | 81,500 | 12 | 4 | |
| 2000 | - | 29 | Transmission | 70,000 | 6 | 2 |
Recalls 103
BMW X5 warranty extensions
Repairs the manufacturer covers beyond the normal warranty. Check whether your car and mileage qualify before paying for one of these.
- The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler (with EGR Valve) and the Auxiliary Exhaust Gas Recirculation...
- The NVLD modules limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15...
- The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has...
- Due to an implementation error in various OBD diagnostics in the vehicle's control units, in very rare...
- Shark fin roof antenna sealing settlement
- The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been...
- The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been...
- The Radiator Grilles Lower Active Air Flap Assembly limited warranty for defects in materials and/or...
- The N57T diesel engine’s Auxiliary Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler’s component-specific extended...
- The electric auxiliary heater assembly limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has...
- After carrying out the vehicle test, one or more of the stored faults indicate that the operation of the...
- A vehicle listed above may arrive with a Check Control Message (CCM), and/or malfunction indicator...
- The High-Voltage (HV) Battery Assemblys Cell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC repair...
- The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been...
- The limited warranty for the Knee Air Bag wire harness repair cable procedure for defects in materials...
- The NVLD modules limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15...
- The NVLD limited emission related warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15...
- The High-Voltage (HV) Battery AssemblysCell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC repair kit-specific)...
- For this vehicle, the engine coolant thermostat limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship...
- For this vehicle, the EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or...
Compare the X5
X5 vs Acura MDXX5 vs Volvo XC90X5 vs Audi Q7X5 vs Lexus RXX5 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE 350X5 vs Cadillac XT5
BMW X5 in the news
Questions about the BMW X5
What years of the BMW X5 should you avoid?
2011 and 2012. Each has more than twice the BMW X5's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2012 alone has 271, mostly about engine and airbags.
What is the best year for a used BMW X5?
2007, 2022 and 2018 have the fewest owner complaints among model years that have been on the road for at least four years (71, 72 and 73).
What is the most common problem with the BMW X5?
Engine, with 912 complaints across all years, followed by airbags (599) and electrical (556).
How many recalls does the BMW X5 have?
103 recalls between 2000 and 2026. The 2011 model year has the most, with 14.
VIN decoder
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Buying a used BMW X5?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
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