2020 BMW X5 engine problems

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Engine · VA · fire

While driving home vehicle began to smoke. Pulled over thinking it may be overheating, not realizing it was smoke. No warnings or messages were displayed. Parked, turned off ignition and called husband from vehicle. When smoke became overwhelming I got out of vehicle. Noticed sparks dripping from under vehicle. Called 911 as sparks became a fire. Entire engine was engulfed in flames as fire department arrived. Police arrived on scene and vehicle was towed and inspected the following day by Geico who declared vehicle a total loss.

Filed Sep 16, 2026 · Engine · CA · fire

See attached document for complaint.

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CA

My 2020 BMW X5 sDrive40i has experienced recurring and serious electrical, shutdown, and drivability problems that have not been resolved despite BMW service and a recall-related repair. The vehicle has unexpectedly restarted after being turned off and has also failed to shut down properly. On September 6, 2026, after being parked at Costco for approximately 40–60 minutes, I returned to find the vehicle off but not secured. The brake lights were on, the windows were down even though I had left them up, and the interior systems were operating. The radio was playing an unfamiliar station, although I do not listen to the radio. I documented this on video. Later that same day at Whole Foods, after parking, turning the vehicle off, and getting out to retrieve my dogs, the vehicle appeared to still be running. Video captured the engine running for approximately one second. I shut it off and locked it, but the vehicle then unlocked itself, also captured on video. These were two separate incidents within nine days, occurring after BMW performed a recall-related repair intended to address unexpected vehicle reactivation. In addition, the vehicle has twice shut off unexpectedly while accelerating on the freeway. These incidents, combined with the unexpected restarting, failure to shut down, windows opening, and vehicle unlocking itself, create serious safety concerns. I purchased this vehicle specifically to transport my dogs. If the vehicle can unlock itself or lower the windows while I am away, my dogs could escape or be exposed to being taken. I no longer have confidence that the vehicle will remain safely shut down and secured when I leave it. The recurring nature of these failures and the fact that they have continued after BMW’s attempted repair require a thorough investigation and permanent resolution. I am requesting that BMW review the complete history and consider repurchase or replacement if the defect cannot be permanently corrected.

Filed Sep 11, 2026 · Engine · CA

I'm reporting a safety issue with BMW vehicles equipped with the B58TU engine, primarily 2019-2021 models. These vehicles have an oil pump with an internal plastic component that regulates oil pressure, and this part is fracturing in the field, causing sudden loss of oil pressure. The failure typically occurs during cold starts in low temperatures. When it fails, oil pressure becomes erratic or is lost entirely, often with little to no warning before engine damage or vehicle disablement. Warning signs, when present, include inability to measure oil level electronically, abnormal oil pressure, or sudden drivetrain malfunction warnings. These can rapidly progress to engine shutdown or severe damage from oil starvation. This creates a dangerous situation because the vehicle can become disabled without warning while driving or after startup. This is especially hazardous when cars become immobilized in traffic or during winter conditions when failures occur most frequently, leaving occupants exposed to freezing temperatures while awaiting assistance. Pump replacement requires extensive disassembly and commonly costs $6,000-$8,000, assuming no engine damage. A critical concern: owners cannot determine if their vehicle has the original plastic pump or the later metal revision. BMW's VIN-based parts lookup now shows updated components even when original plastic parts remain installed, and BMW has removed the original plastic part number from dealer networks entirely. Failures are reported across multiple production years, and the scope of affected vehicles remains unclear. Because this condition causes sudden vehicle disablement without adequate warning, especially in cold weather, I believe this warrants investigation as a potential safety-related defect.

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Engine · MA

I am reporting a safety concern involving BMW vehicles equipped with the B58 Technical Update (B58TU) engine, commonly found in model years 2019–2021. These vehicles utilize a variable-displacement engine oil pump containing an internal thermoplastic adjusting component responsible for regulating engine oil pressure. Failures have been reported in which this internal plastic component fractures, resulting in sudden loss of or instability in engine oil pressure. My own vehicle has experienced this oil pump failure. The failure is particularly concerning because it can occur during cold-start operation and appears to be more prevalent in low ambient temperatures. When the internal component fails, oil pressure regulation can become erratic or be lost entirely. The resulting loss of lubrication can lead to severe engine damage or vehicle disablement. Reported precursor symptoms include an inability to electronically measure the engine oil level, abnormal oil-pressure behavior, drivetrain malfunction warnings, and other warning messages. However, these symptoms may provide little meaningful advance warning before the vehicle becomes disabled or the engine sustains significant damage. The safety concern is not limited to the cost of the repair. A sudden loss of oil pressure can cause the vehicle to become disabled without warning while driving or shortly after startup. This presents a potential safety hazard if the vehicle loses power or becomes immobilized in active traffic. The risk is particularly concerning during cold-weather operation, when these failures appear to occur most frequently. In winter conditions, occupants of a disabled vehicle may also be exposed to freezing temperatures while waiting for roadside assistance. Replacement of the oil pump is a major repair with cost ranging $6000-8000, even when engine has not been damaged. These costs are secondary to the safety concern but demonstrate the seriousness of the defect and the potential severity.

Filed Aug 26, 2026 · Engine · CA

I am reporting a safety concern involving BMW vehicles with the B58TU engine, model years 2019-2021. These engines use a variable-displacement oil pump with an internal thermoplastic adjusting ring that regulates oil pressure. Field failures are being reported in which this component fractures, causing sudden loss or instability of oil pressure. Owners and independent shops report catastrophic engine damage within minutes, with little or no advance warning. A sudden loss of motive power at highway speed, or an engine seizure in traffic, creates a crash risk. I have not experienced a failure. I am reporting because: 1. My vehicle falls within the affected production range. 2. Owners cannot determine whether their vehicle has the original thermoplastic pump or the later metal revision. BMW issued the revised part without changing the part number, and VIN-based parts lookups reportedly return the updated component even when the original is still installed. This deprives owners of any means of assessing their own risk. 3. BMW quietly revised the design to all-metal, indicating the manufacturer identified a durability problem, yet no recall or customer notification has been issued in the United States. 4. Out-of-warranty repair requires removal of the front subframe and eight or more hours of labor. Owners report quotes near $6,000. 5. In South Korea, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport opened a formal investigation into this same defect in XXX. BMW Korea then confirmed it is performing this repair free of charge regardless of warranty status. A foreign regulator has already found this serious enough to investigate. I request that the federal safety agency investigate the B58TU oil pump, determine the failure rate, and evaluate whether a safety recall is warranted. At minimum, owners should be given a reliable method of identifying which pump revision is installed in their vehicle.

Filed Aug 25, 2026 · Engine · NY

The oil level reading is failing at 16% due to an oil pump malfunction. BMW has addressed this on all 2022+ b58 engine but all prior years have the plastic failing oil pump. The had to upgrade it because it cause catastrophic failure to the engine. It creates oil pressure with plastic parts and was upgraded to all metal in 2022. There should be a recall for this part since it can cause catastrophic engine failure at any point anywhere while driving at any speed, slow, fast, speed limit. Doesn’t matter the part can fail and injure or kill people

Filed Aug 3, 2026 · Engine · CA

My 2019 BMW X5 (G05) equipped with the B58 Technical Update (B58TU) engine has experienced a failure / is showing early signs of failure of the engine oil pump assembly.Beginning with the B58TU engine, BMW utilized a variable-displacement oil pump that contains a thermoplastic/plastic internal adjusting ring. This plastic component degrades under normal operating temperatures, resulting in a sudden mechanical failure of the pump. This failure leads to a sudden drop in engine oil pressure, vehicle disablement without sufficient warning, or an inability for the iDrive infotainment system to complete an electronic oil level measurement.A sudden loss of engine lubrication while driving presents a severe safety hazard, capable of immobilizing the vehicle in active traffic. BMW has updated this exact pump part number to utilize all-metal internal carriers on later production runs, but refuses to cover the cost for early out-of-warranty models. I am requesting that the federal safety agency open a safety defect investigation into the early B58TU oil pump assembly to force a mandatory safety recall.

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · RI

It’s a common issue between 2019-2020 where the oil pump which came from factory has plastic impellers which crack/disintegrate causing catastrophic failure to the engine disabling the vehicle the only warning signs before this happens is you cant read oil level and or the car prompts with a warning low oil messages if untreated the car will have catastrophic engine failure with little to no warning the car was mass produced and this is a common issue therefore should be recalled

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Engine · MA

Low oil pressure light came on during interstate drive. Later analysis at dealership revealed this is related to faulty oil pump with plastic parts in B58 engine.