2016 BMW X5 transmission problems

Filed Aug 16, 2026 · Transmission · MD

2016 BMW X5 xDrive40e. Experiencing intermittent/sudden drivetrain malfunction warnings. Vehicle loses power or enters limp mode while driving. Max eDrive / electric drive becomes disabled even with battery charged. Multiple warning lights appear. Issue appears related to the hybrid system (possible EME, SME, Safety Box, or high-voltage battery faults). This creates a safety risk because power can be lost unexpectedly while moving. Mileage at time of most recent occurrence: 126,500. Problem first noticed 118,000.

Filed Apr 23, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 120,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, and the contact discovered an unknown liquid leaking underneath of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Oct 22, 2024 · Fuel system, Transmission · MN

Fuel injectors, transfer case prop shaft

Filed May 24, 2024 · Suspension, Transmission · 75,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle was making an abnormal banging sound. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pulled into a parking lot and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer who diagnosed and determined that front drive shaft and u-joint had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Filed Apr 27, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · CA

While running house errands April 26,2024, late in the afternoon around 4:15 pm to 4:30 pm or so estimated BMW X5 suddenly shutdown in the middle of road from a major stop light intersection with no warning signs displayed on the dashboard no display of any indicators on the dashboard just suddenly shutdown car would not move & could not operate the car : many cars behind us were inconvenienced & some drivers pissed off since I was blocking traffic Called towing services & got the the car finally moved physically to our home address : hazard signal could not be operated due to shutdown off the car Very scary & a major safety concern for me & wife due to this incident on top creating a very stressful situation & scenario for road conditions due to the car incident How can a car suddenly shutdown & not able to operate it w no warnings for any driver ? I was driving the car when this incident took place Please investigate this matter as it’s very concerning from a risk & safety matter

Filed Apr 26, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Vehicle looses power with " Powertrain Malfunction' displaying on the dashboard. Several codes for the Hybrid Battery failure. Per BMW USA, Hybrid System has 8 years 80000 mile warranty. BMW USA and or authorized BMW Dealership does not want to honor the warranty, claiming the Hybrid Battery might have been OVERUSED. Vehicle only has 65K miles and it is within the warranty period.

Filed Mar 21, 2024 · Transmission · NV

Hello, I took this vehicle in for a service at 100,000 miles. Part of that service was to change the transmission fluid. While the BMW dealership replaced the fluid, they found that the level was higher than it should have been. They voluntarily removed the transmission, and found that the electric drive buffer spring had been making extremely excessive contact with the transmission, so much so that the buffer spring had worn a hole in the transmission casing. Not a single code, or check engine light had illuminated saying there was anything wrong with any part of the transmission. The only reason this was found was because of regularly scheduled preventative maintenance. After discussing options with the BMW dealership, their recommendation was to put it back together as is, drive it to somewhere like CARMAX, and trade it in with the issue, since it was not showing any faults, codes, or errors with the transmission. The BMW dealership also stated this is not the first X5 edrive that they have seen with the exact same problem, so there is the start to a trend with this vehicle. The transmission could have failed even more catastrophically while driving at highway speed, with no indications that a long term problem was occurring within the transmission, as there is no sensor or error that is being monitored for this type of failure. Although the problem was found at 100,000, the BMW service has stated this issue must have been going on for a significant amount of time for the significant amount of damage. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. I am really shook up that my family was driving what I thought was a very safe vehicle with a ticking time bomb underneath it. Please please look into this. I am a helicopter pilot in the USAF, as well as Mechanical Engineer, and everything I know about vehicles and systems tells me this is a serious problem. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 15, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA

I have received two emails from two different shop foreman’s. One from Niello BMW and the other BMW Fairfield. They both said the malfunctions I am experiencing- slipping, delay in accelerations- is the way BMW manufacturer made the car. One foreman said all the cars like mine he has driven have the same issue. It is a hybrid that needs the hybrid battery to have charge to not experience these malfunctions, but the car was not made to allow me to have constant battery charge as it only lasts up to 14 miles for 2016 X5 40e hybrid. I’ve been in situations where charging is not possible- like on vacation at a hotel with no way to charge car. Due to this, I have to deal with these malfunctions that BMW says is not fixable. This has put me in situations where I’m at risk of an accident because my car won’t properly accelerate when I need it to. The approximate date I’ve given is only one situation, but has happened several times before and after.

Filed Feb 3, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA

My bmw x5 40e is having issues accelerating from a dead stop. My safety was put at risk because I was stuck in the intersection going very slowly even after put the accelerating pedal to the floor. It did not properly engage until I got to the other side of the intersection and the stoplight went back to red. It has happened several times after. BMW North America stated that they could not duplicate but the foreman actually did feel it when pulling the car up the day I was to pick it back up and recorded the issue. There were no warning lamps or faults and still do not show any faults, though it still has the same issue. BMW North America Engineer was shown a video I recorded of it in a parking garage going to 4000 rpm but speed remaining under 10 mph for proof after they returned the car to me and he still states “vehicle is operating as designed”. I noticed 2016 bmw x5 40e has a recall on it but only for those produced 7/2015-9/2015, mine was produced in 2/2016. Yet, when reading the recall my car acts very similar to the discription. This is a safety hazard because it puts me at an increased risk of a crash. I cannot get my car worked on because BMW of North America says nothing is wrong with it and won’t allow it to be fixed. We have tried talking to several people with bmw North America and they either say nothing can be done or stop communicating with us. I’ve tried communication through both email and phone.

Filed May 17, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · 49,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that no issues were found. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where the air shaft suspension and the cylinder were replaced, and other unknown repairs were completed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who informed the contact that the failure might be associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V919000 (Electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.