I am on my third front differential in first in 2023, one in 2025 and now one in 2026. All M50I have this issue but the X5 M model does not.
2020 BMW X5 transmission problems
17 complaints (15% of all complaints for this car). 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 17
- of this car's complaints
- 15%
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Driveline: differential unit1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
BMW X5 transmission problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2020 BMW X5 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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
I own a 2019 BMW X5 xDrive40i with the B58 3.0L turbocharged inline-six engine. While driving in Minnesota, the vehicle suddenly displayed an urgent warning stating “oil pressure too low” and instructed me to stop the engine. This occurred while the vehicle was being operated on the road, requiring me to stop driving immediately. The vehicle was later inspected by an authorized BMW dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure as a defective oil pump and stated that the oil pump must be replaced. The estimated repair cost was approximately $7,500 or more. This is a serious safety concern because a sudden loss of engine oil pressure can lead to engine seizure, loss of motive power, and loss of vehicle control risk depending on traffic conditions. The oil pump is a critical lubrication component and should not fail as a normal wear item. I have found numerous similar owner reports involving BMW B58 oil pump failures, including reports suggesting that cold-weather operation may contribute to or expose the failure. My vehicle is operated in Minnesota, a cold-weather state. The vehicle was inspected by Park Place BMW in Rochester, MN. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether this is a safety-related defect affecting 2019 BMW X5 xDrive40i vehicles and other BMW models equipped with the B58 engine.
Front Differential input bearing failure. Sudden jerking that almost causes loss of control. This poses a safety risk. This seems to be a know problem for the 2020 BMW X5 M50i No warning lights and I did not experience hearing any sounds as other have reported.
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X5. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for routine maintenance and it was discovered that there was a coolant leak and that there was a failure with the front differential failure, and that the A/C unit was leaking. The leaking valve was replaced but the differential was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Failure of front differential
Please read file attached
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was fluid and lubricant on the ground underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a detached front differential shaft bearing. In addition, the contact was informed that the front differential shaft bearing caused excessive play in the propeller shaft. The contact was informed that the front differential shaft bearing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced by the dealer seven weeks prior to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
My steering was what I felt as an affected problem. I was subsequently stuck while out with my one year old in the cold 10/31/2024. Eventually the car started again but I had what felt like steering issues (i.e. dragging/shuttering) thereafter. I was told that there were no issues aside from the power steering which completely failed and was replaced. Not until 1 year later when I insisted that the issue continued did the dealership give me an idea of what it could be despite them knowing about the SIB the entire time. There were warning lamps that came on I'm just not sure if any of those lights were the actual undiagnosed issue pertaiing to my transfer case needing to be completely replaced. Either way the dealersihp sandbaged me and only diagnosed the transfer case replacement after I was 1 month out of warranty 11/2025 quoting me with a $10,552.19. repair cost.
I was having intermittent starting issues. After a starter recall was done, things got worse. Idrive will not turn off and car wont start draining battery. Battery was replaced and car still having idrive and start issues. It would not start after being hot. I was told extended warranty is not covered and that the center console was the problem after diagnostic. They want approximately $3000 to repair. The car will not start at all and the idrive will not shut off. They said it will continue until repaired.
Questions about the 2020 BMW X5 transmission
Does the 2020 BMW X5 have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 17 complaints about the transmission of the 2020 BMW X5, 15% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2020 BMW X5 transmission problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 2020 BMW X5 transmission?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the BMW X5 have bad transmission?
The BMW X5 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2011 (58 complaints), 2012 (53 complaints) and 2013 (36 complaints).
Other 2020 BMW X5 problems
Engine 49Electrical 39Airbags 6Brakes 6Driver assistance 5Lights 5Body 4Seat belts 3Steering 3Suspension 3Acceleration 2Fuel system 2Visibility 2Locks 1
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