2024 BMW X5 transmission problems

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · VA

I am writing to formally document serious and recurring safety concerns with my Certified Pre-Owned 2024 BMW X5e, which I purchased from BMW of Sterling on XXX. On XXX I was merging onto [XXX] during morning rush hour when my vehicle suddenly lost power and shut down in the middle of traffic. The vehicle first displayed a yellow drivetrain warning indicating that I could continue driving at reduced power to the nearest service center. Almost immediately afterward, a red drivetrain warning appeared instructing me to seek service immediately. At that point, the vehicle would not restart and continued displaying the error message. Having a vehicle suddenly become disabled in the middle of a major interstate during rush-hour traffic was both frightening and extremely dangerous. I contacted BMW Assist but was transferred among several representatives without receiving meaningful assistance. VDOT ultimately responded, and the vehicle was towed at my expense to BMW of Sterling. Ultimately, I was informed that BMW of Sterling could not identify the cause of the failure or replicate the problem. I was told that BMW in Germany had been consulted and that the vehicle's electronics had been reset. When I picked up the vehicle, I specifically asked whether it had been tested in electric, hybrid, and sport modes and was told that it had. However, my BMW app indicated that the vehicle had not been charged since before I brought it in for service, which raised concerns for me about the extent of the testing that was performed. On XXX, I drove the vehicle to [XXX], for work. When I returned to the vehicle that afternoon and attempted to start it, I received the same drivetrain warning messages. After approximately 15 minutes, the vehicle eventually started normally, and I was able to drive home without further incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 6, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · TX

I bought this car and started to have issues after a couple weeks. Because it is a hybrid model, it works perfectly fine when the car is running on the battery. Immediately the engine began to work, I get hesitation and the car drives rough. I took it to the first dealership that said there was water in the engine but they were proved wrong because what they show as water was apparently fuel that did not burn the right way in the cylinder. The dealership came with another excuse that the filter had traces of water which makes them to believe something was wrong. I took the car to another bmw dealership as I did not trust their diagnosis. The other bmw dealership performed some work on the car but then came to the conclusion that their hands were tied because of what the previous dealership reported to bmw north america. I called bmw north america and they told me to go back to the dealership after I had no success at the dealership. I believe this is a lemon case and also constitute a safety hazard because I nearly had an accident because the car switch from running on battery to combustion and immediately on the highway. The speed slows abruptly and car began to drive rough. I would appreciate any traction this can get from the board to resolve this with the manufacturer

Filed Oct 2, 2025 · Brakes, Transmission · MA

2024 BMW X5 with 22k miles, leasing the vehicle. Had the vehicle in the dealer, Herb Chambers BMW of Boston a few months ago to fix a brake recall and change the oil. Dealer said they fixed both, and also said they needed the vehicle all day to fix the brakes, so they got me an Uber and then dropped off the vehicle when it was completed. Fast forward to today, October 2, 2025. Drive train warning came up when driving the vehicle, told to find a safe place to stop, within 10 seconds the vehicle lost most of engine power. Was able to stop in a safe location, contacted roadside assistance, numerous warnings came up on screen. Roadside assistance said to start and stop the vehicle and this cleared the message, said that vehicle was safe to drive, it was probably just a sensor issue that put the vehicle into some type of safe mode (what a horrible thing to do, an enormously unsafe as the operator should determine this). Two days later, another drive train warning and the vehicle on it's own moved the transmission into neutral while driving at 30mph. This issue with going into neutral on it's own, I found out through speaking with my wife, that this happened a couple of week prior as well. I called road side assistance and had the vehicle towed, called the dealer to get a loaner as this vehicle is not safe to drive in it's current condition. After this issue, I looked my vehicle up by VIN and saw that the brake recall wasn't fixed yet to my surprise. When I spoke to the dealer today as the vehicle was being towed there with this drive train issue, I said were my brakes for this recall fixed, they said the software issue was fixed, but not the mechanical issue. I said please fix this brake recall while in there looking at this drive train issue. Vehicle is clearly not safe to drive in this condition, and you can use your imagination if this happened while driving at highway speeds or various other scenarios, not good at all.

Filed Aug 13, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · CA

The drive train failed on the car and left the car without power as the transmission disengaged and was revving in drive mode. This happened when I was making a right turn. Oncoming traffic had to dodge us making it a very dangerous situation. The shoulder was narrow so half of the car in the number one lane. The car had been back into the dealership many time for similar issue but this time the car actual hard warning signs flash on the screen and loss complete power and maneuverability. A few different lights came on the dash. Prior to the car completely shutting down, the car would down shift really hard and the computer says the car was trying to go in reverse. I’ve loss all confidence in this car and feel unsafe getting back into it.

Filed Jan 30, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · CA

I purchased this BMW X5 xDrive50e vehicle from BMW showroom in kalamazoo, MI as a pre-owned vehicle. It looks like this particular vehicle had already reported an drivetrain issue based on the federal safety agency complaint: [XXX] Looks like Drivetrain malfunction issue is a recurring one in BMW X5 50e and hit with the same issue on [XXX]. Here, i want to file a complaint regarding a safety issues with this 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e, which currently has 14,065 miles. Vehicle started showing 2 Error messages. (1) Drivetrain Malfunctions Error stating that driving is not possible and asking to call the roadside assistance. (2) Regenerative braking of the vehicle is disturbed. It is possible to continue driving and asking to schedule a service appointment. On seeing these messages, called the BMW SoS line and informed them about the issue and towed the vehicle to the nearest service center. After running the diagnostics on the vehicle, Service center confirmed that EGS diagnostics test is inconclusive and mechatronics parts require a replacement. Service center stated that some of the parts are available within the country and few has to be shipped from Germany. Currently, vehicle is in service center waiting for the parts to get replaced. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 30, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · SC

2024 July summer time, the compressor started same issue as the temperature increased. All of a sudden, the car was started showing major “drivetrain error” and “high voltage battery error”. I have taken the car again back to the same dealership and this time the car was starting to show major system failures. I have kept BMW in the email loop and at the first instance itself I have called out that cooling issues can cause battery issues, and it happened exactly like that after 7 months. Car was with the dealership from 07/22/2024 mileage: 7896 to 07/24/2024. Dealership said this was just a software issue even though there were errors related to high voltage, after 3 days, dealership simply updated the software and cleared all the issue and related the car stating that everything fixed. I have attached the service appointment letter for this issue. It looks like they wanted me to cover the 12 months after delivery so that they can be safe with lemon law, and it proved true with next incident. After the 3 months, a terrific incident happened on [XXX] Mileage:10,561. I was taking my [XXX] daughter for a doctor’s appointment along with my [XXX} daughter and my wife. It was a short trip less than 5 miles from my home. While in the state highway, while driving ,all of a sudden the car lost all of its power car had 12 miles of electric range and 227 miles of gas range, I have photo proof from this time either from electric motor and from the gasoline engine and stalled and stopped in the middle of the road with the EXACT SAME problem on “drive train error” mentioned above serviced on 07/22/2024. There was a truck behind us and the driver had to sudden break not to rear end us. The situation was terrific, and I cannot explain it through letters here. My wife and my [XXX] panicked, and they had to went through the trauma. I was thrown into a situation by BMW and the since I purchased a costly brand-new car for my family and trusting BMW,still in dealer INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AC

Filed Oct 28, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · MI

I am filing this complaint regarding serious safety issues with my 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e, which currently has approximately 12,000 miles. 1. Drivetrain Malfunctions and Assembly Error: The vehicle experienced three instances of drivetrain malfunctions within an eight-day period, causing it to go into limp mode unexpectedly while driving. The issue was identified as a misrouted wiring harness, which has since been repaired. I was informed by the BMW technician that a service bulletin addressing this issue was released 6 months prior to the production of my vehicle. Despite BMW’s knowledge of this recurring problem, the vehicle was assembled incorrectly, creating a significant safety hazard. This failure to address known issues during production resulted in potential disaster, compromising my safety and that of others on the road. 2. Unresolved Safety Recall – Regenerative ABS Braking System: The vehicle is subject to an ongoing recall for the regenerative ABS braking system, with no available remedy at this time. The lack of resolution for this critical safety component raises further safety concerns. 3. Connectivity Issues: The eSIM car connect hotspot has been inoperable, and BMW has acknowledged the problem, suggesting that I wait for potential updates. This impacts navigation and other safety-related features. Safety Concerns: These combined issues indicate that I was sold a vehicle with known safety defects that were not properly addressed at the manufacturing stage. As a consumer, I require a reliable and safe vehicle, which the 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e has failed to provide. The fact that BMW was aware of this recurring issue through a bulletin prior to my vehicle’s production adds to the urgency of resolving these problems. Resolution Attempts: I have worked with the local BMW dealership to repair the wiring harness, but the unresolved ABS recall and connectivity issues persist. BMW has not provided a clear timeline for resolving the safety recall.

Filed Sep 3, 2024 · Transmission · AZ

Drive train malfunction during driving. It has been repaired twice.

Filed Jul 10, 2024 · Transmission · GA

My 2024 BMW X5 50e has stranded me three times now due to "Drivetrain Malfunction". Each time my safety has been at extreme risk due to driving on busy streets and interstate in Atlanta. Fortunately, today I had not made it to the interstate or I would have been in a the worst possible situation with my X5 locking down and shutting off with no notice. Given my long commute, I can no longer take the risk of driving the X5 50e. BMW NA should be held responsible and no one's safety should be at risk that BMW has put us in given this problem seems to be a common occurrence.

Filed Jun 24, 2024 · Transmission · CA

The bell housing of the car is currently emitting a whistling / rusty tricycle sound at low RPMS (1500-2200 rpms / 30 miles per hour or under). I have had the car in for service. During the last visit, BMW kept it for 30 days and only compared it to the sound of other cars. In being able to duplicate the sound, they stated that the sound is normal. BMW reached its conclusion without conducting any physical inspection of the bell housing and its related components to see why the parts are making the noise. They have no idea as to why the car is generating the noise. My shop foreman wrote the following to my advisor to share with me: "..I narrowed down the noise. Noise is possibly mechanical and coming from bell housing area. Created Tsara case and provided information to BMW and video to see what are the next steps we are going to be taking. I would like to remove the transmission and inspect toque converter and flywheel but need there authorization." But again, because BMW was able to duplicate the noise in other cars, they will not authorize any work to determine the true nature of the sound. In doing so, they cannot, in my opinion, say whether this is a safety issue or not. Imagine traveling at a high speed on the freeway and the power train fails! My foreman remains committed to determining the root cause of the problem. As this is the first year with the hybrid engine, BMW should be required to determine the true nature of the sound and determine if it is a safety concern. A physical inspection of the components is a must!