BMW X5 misfire problems

Filed May 9, 2026 · Engine · TX

There's currently an open recall for a number of BMW engines involving aluminum bolts in the vanos assembly that shear, strip, and break off completely. The open recall is somehow excluding some vehicles with the same exact problem like my 2011 BMW X5 xdrive35i N55 E70 with the inline 6. Currently my vanos bolts are already sheared off and sitting in my oil pan. My vehicle started misfiring and acting strange while I was traveling at 75mph, luckily I made it into a gas station and had to have it towed from there because it wouldn't start again and hasn't since. BMW knows about these hazardous bolts and chose to not repair some of them directly endangering drivers and their families. My local BMW dealership won't even confirm that the bolts in my oil pan are the vanos bolts even after I showed them photographic evidence which I still have. I've spoken with BMW North America and they said I need to get it confirmed by my local dealership, so where dies that leave me? Here...over $8,000 in damage/loss from an obvious manufacturer error that THEY ARE AWARE OF!

Filed Dec 12, 2025 · Electrical · WI

The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the interior lights flickered on and off. The failure was intermittent. The contact later received an extended warranty notification for the foot well. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinders #3 and #4. The contact was informed that the failure was not related to the extended warranty program. The contact was informed that ignition coils and plugs in cylinders #3 and #4 needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Dec 2, 2020 · Engine · 79,500 miles · AA

The engine stutters often (every drive), and once in a while produces thick white smoke for a second or two when accelerating. The engine also suffers from high oil consumption (I have to add a quart of engine oil every 200 miles). I've also had to replace the spark plugs twice in the last 3 years because they are fouled with oil and sooth and the engine misfires. Dealer is stating the issue is related to s63 engine valve stem seals, and recommending that these be replaced, but the work will cost $7000 and isn't covered under warranty! This is clearly a valve stem seal design defect or initial production/installation defect dealer also claims this is common on e70 models.*dt

Filed Aug 26, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 82,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 bmw x5. While operating the vehicle, the battery sensor indicator illuminated and the engine misfired. The battery was replaced along with the ignition coil. Later, while driving the vehicle, the oil and engine indicators illuminated. It was discovered that the engine oil levels were very low and oil had to be continuously added to the engine. The vehicle continued to experience battery failures and the message on and battery high drainage comfort access feature malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to bmw of bridgewater (655 us-202, bridgewater township, nj 08807) where it was diagnosed that the overhead roof module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000. The VIN was unknown.

Filed Mar 4, 2019 · Engine · PA

Engine malfunction, low power output, bmw dealer sw in the module their were 2 separate misfires but cannot locate the problem

Filed Jan 4, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 76,000 miles · MD

I'm writing to you regarding my 2012 bmw x5m. On october 8, 2017 I was driving my car and suddenly the check engine light came up and almost immediately the car lost power and a very loud banging noise start coming up from the front of the car. I was in the middle of a busy intersection when this happened and the car could barely move. I pulled over as soon as I was out of the intersection and got the car towed to the nearest bmw authorize dealer - bmw of silver spring, md (3211 automobile blvd, silver spring, md 20904). After a few conversations with the dealer I was told that I have to replace the entire engine and that there will be no effort made to determine the reason for the engine failure. The car is a well maintained vehicle and I have records for all the maintenance work done. That includes oil changes done every 5,000- 7,000 miles. I told the dealer that I suspect the issue could be a faulty fuel injector. The symptoms I shared with the bmw dealer were rough starts, rough idle and fuel smell were present especially the day we towed the car in. The dealer refused to accept any of the shared information and denied my request for the fuel injectors to be checked although they are under extended warranty. As a result, I was given no choice but pay the cost of the entire engine replacement. The dealer refused to give me the old engine back because I wanted it inspected to check whether a faulty injector was the reason for the engine failure.

Filed Jan 25, 2016 · Engine · 59,100 miles · TX

Engine malfunction reduced power output. Driving on a highway my bmw x5 suddenly started misfiring and heard noise from the engine. After couple of misfires it have eninge malfunction reduced power output warning. Had a vanos bolt replaced as part of recall but this is happening more often. I think there is serious issue with bmw eninge. Can anyone help.

Filed Jan 29, 2015 · Engine · 80,000 miles · FL

The vehicle shakes, runs rough and turns itself off when braking/stopped at red lights. I have taken the car to bmw naples and another repair shop. They requested I have a tune up and replace two sensors which I have done. Thousand of dollars later and the problem was not fixed. No one can tell me what the problem is. I have researched it online and found other people are having the same problem with their bmw x5.

Filed Jan 25, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 101,680 miles · MA

The temperature was about 5 degrees f. After driving a short distance, there was a large amount of smoke from tailpipes and smoke from engine compartment. Engine oil warning message and ses light illuminated. The engine hesitated and misfired. After stopping, the back of the x5 was covered in oil. The engine compartment was covered in oil and oil coated the exhaust manifold. The x5 had to be towed to the dealer. The dealer indicated the ccv was frozen and it was common in these cars. When the ccv freezes, it can suck the oil from the oil sump through the ccv into the intake manifold. The valve cover gasket usually blows from the increased pressure. If enough oil is sucked in through the intake manifold, it can hydrolock the engine, breaking piston rods, etc or the engine can seize from lack of oil. Bmw is aware of this design flaw in these cars when operated in cold climates and is providing some relief for some of the cars that experience this issue. The valve cover gasket was replaced. Oil had to be vacuumed from the spark plug wells. The ccv and associated hoses were replaced with a newer insulated design. The dipstick tube was replaced. The oil filter was replaced. Any oil that may remain is drained and new oil was added. The engine compartment was degreased.

Filed Oct 28, 2008 · Engine · 73,709 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 bmw x5. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled and then shut off. The vehicle also misfired. The contact managed to coast the vehicle off the road and it immediately restarted. The dealer could not find any failures. The failure and current mileages were 73,709.