BMW X5 knocking problems

Filed Aug 12, 2026 · Engine, Suspension · LA

The front driveshaft universal joint failed causing the drive shaft to bust a hole in the engine and crack the transmission. There was no knocking noise prior to failure. It suddenly failed, disengaged and caused damage. I was told by service manager the u-bolt must have been defective to have failed without warning.

Filed Apr 30, 2026 · Engine · CT

I am reporting a safety concern involving a 2019 BMW X5 that experienced a sudden and catastrophic engine failure at approximately 75,000–80,000 miles. The failure occurred without any prior warning indicators, dashboard alerts, or fault codes. The vehicle lost engine function and required inspection by an authorized BMW dealership. The dealership documented internal engine damage, including metallic debris in the oil system, oil contamination, and bottom-end engine knocking. A full engine replacement was recommended. This raises safety concerns because: The failure occurred without warning Sudden engine failure could create hazardous driving conditions depending on speed and location There may be a broader pattern of similar failures BMW of North America has denied assistance and has not provided any explanation for the cause of the failure. I am submitting this complaint so the incident can be recorded and evaluated as part of any potential defect investigation.

Filed Jan 25, 2025 · Suspension · NC

Component Malfunctioned, All dashboard light are on. service check needed immediately. PCV heater not working ,cruise control not working, loose suspensions, knocking noise from the front and rear of the car. Air bags driver and passenger. All other UNKnown problems. I was told my Casey BMW of Newport News Va. That my car had no recalls? I am spending so much money just to try to keep my car updated. I can no longer do it. I am on a fixed income. If you can be of any assistance, please help! Thanks

Filed Oct 21, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 2,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2025 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, there was a loud screeching sound detected. While reversing there was a noticeable loud screeching sound heard. While making a turn, there was an abnormal knocking sound detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was working as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

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 Nov 22, 2023 · Electrical, Fuel system · NY

My 2008 bmw x5 4.8i almost caught fire. The fuel pump connector is burnt into the fuel pump harness. My local mechanic said this was like a ticking time bomb. The issue is these trucks are known for this problem and there was a recall for this but my vin coming up with no recalls when this truck is clearly apart of the bad batch , I have pictures for proof.

Filed Mar 5, 2023 · Engine · 79,000 miles · CA · crash

Rod bearing failure causing engine to be damaged. The car has 79k miles, fully maintained at a BMW dealership. My wife and toddler were driving on the highway when the car shut off with no warning. We towed the car to the same BMW dealer where we’ve had the car serviced since 34,673 miles.. The dealer documented metal flakes in the oil filter. The dealer confirmed a rod bearing spun causing a catastrophic failure to the engine requiring replacement. Initial quote exceeding price of car at $74k. BMW Corporate contacted me and offered a discount on a new engjne. I declined the offer because the repair work was $32,843. This rod bearing issue is a known problem among 2015-2018 BMW X5M owners. This problem in fact existed on a previous generation engine which is referred to as the S65 motor. BMW has released a bulletin to this group of owners guaranteeing replacement based on the amount of miles on a customers engine. In some cases, a free engine was provided by BMW at no cost to the customer. The car only had 79k miles and without BMW NA involved the dealer wanted $74,332 to replace and repair vehicle. The BMW supervisor on this case is Lindsay and she can be reached at (800) 831-1117 ext. 115. She disregarded this was a safety matter and thought other owners shouldn’t be compensated or warned about this complete loss of power while driving this particular model (2015-2018 BMW X5M). This is an unacceptable outcome for a car with a MSRP is over $100,000. I’ve talked to half a dozen other 2015-2018 BMW X5M owners who also had total engine failure due to this same rod bearing issue. All of the cases the engine exceeded the cost or current market value of car.

Filed Jan 6, 2023 · Fuel system · 121,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated with an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was linked to the recall; however, the contact was informed that parts for the recall repair was not yet available. 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 121,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Sep 6, 2022 · Fuel system · 72,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact received recall notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel). However, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving speeds, the vehicle emitted abnormal knocking sounds intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to complete the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed May 27, 2022 · Engine · 75,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, she smelled a strong burning plastic odor coming through the A/C vents. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the engine emitted abnormal loud knocking sounds and the vehicle started shuddering. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove to her residence and turned the vehicle off. Upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the contact stated that oil was leaking from the vehicle onto the ground. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Consumer did reach out to BMW USA and they took the information and have asked the consumer to wait a week while they do their investigation. Consumer has reached out several times now since then and they have stated that there is nothing they can do at the moment. They say that it should be okay to drive the car until they are able to fix it. The car is not safe to drive and when turned on is very shaky, the engine is loud and gives off strong gas fumes.