2012 BMW X5 Sav

Routine

Owners filed 21 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train6
000
Engine5
000
Air Bags3
000
Fuel/Propulsion System2
000
Electrical System2
010
Steering1
000
Service Brakes1
101
Electronic Stability Control (esc)1
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module16V071000
Filed Feb 5, 2016840,000 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine14V176000
Filed Apr 10, 2014156,137 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.

Risk. If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel12V550000
Filed Nov 27, 201229,800 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 X5 xDrive 35d SAV diesel vehicles manufactured September 1, 2008, through November 15, 2012. The engine belt idler pulley bolt could loosen and break over time.

Risk. If the engine belt idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and tighten the idler pulley bolt. The recall began on January 15, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Other Fuel Types › Turbo/Supercharger12V161000
Filed Apr 10, 20122,846 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 5-SERIES, 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, MODEL YEAR 2012 6-SERIES CONVERTIBLE, 7-SERIES, X5 SAV, AND X6 SAV VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED, ENGINES BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAN OVERHEAT.

Risk. THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy. BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Mar 16, 2019NJ

EXPERIENCE GLYCOL-LEAKAGE FROM THE EGR (EXHAUST-GAS-RECIRCULATION) VALVE CAN OCCUR. IN COMBINATION WITH TYPICAL SOOT DEPOSITS AND THE HIGH TEMPERATURES NORMALLY PRESENT IN THE EGR MODULE THIS MIGHT RESULT IN SMOLDERING PARTICLES. THIS COULD LEAD TO THE MELTING OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND IN EXTREMELY RARE CASES RESULT IN A FIRE. BMW EXTENDED A RECALL TO EUROPEAN AND ASIAN MODELS BUT NOT THE US MY CAR HAS ONLY 51000 MILES. PLEASE SEE THIS LINK HTTPS://WWW.BMWBLOG.COM/2018/08/14/SOUTH-KOREA-BANS-RECALLED-BMW-MODELS-FROM-PUBLIC-ROADS-UNTIL-ISSUE-IS-FIXED/

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 24, 20181,000 milesMI

I AM WRITING THIS LETTER TO SEEK HELPS ON MY 2012 BMW X5 35D (VIN#: [XXX]). I HAVE EXPERIENCED DIESEL SMELL IN THE CABIN IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS AND I GOT ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON LAST WEEK. WE CHECKED THE CODE IT SAYING THE EGR COOLER IS BAD AND EGR VALVE IS NOT OPERATING. I WANT TO KNOW IS THERE ANY RECALL OR CAMPAIGN REGARDING THIS PART. THIS IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL EMISSION AND HUMAN HEALTH RELATED ISSUE. I RECALL I SAW THIS PART HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY 10 YEARS/120000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL BMW OWNER SINCE 2002 AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. BUT THIS DIESEL SMELL ISSUE IS CONCERNING ME SINCE IT'S HEALTH RELATED, ESPECIALLY WE HAVE TWO KIDS IN THE CAR EVERY DAY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Mar 30, 201862,210 milesNJ

THE AGENT OF BMW OF TENAFLY SAID THERE IS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE NEED TO FIX, THE PROBLEM THEY CALL IT: FAULTY TRANSFER CASE AND EMF UNIT FAULTS FOR EMF AND TRANSFER CASE CONNECTED BATTERY CHARGER. THE SYSTEM MAY STOP WORKING SUDDENLY AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TRANSFER POWER TO WHEELS AND ROLL OVER.

Engine
Filed Dec 21, 201798,000 milesAR

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. I COASTED ON TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND TRIED TO START IT.... NOTHING. OIL LEVEL WAS GOOD . I HAD IT TOWED TO BMW DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME ENGINE WAS LOCKED UP BUT COULDN'T TELL ME WHY. I JUST HAD RECALL WORK DONE ABOUT A MONTH OR TWO AGO AT THE SAME BMW DEALER. THEY MENTIONED AN AFTERMARKET OIL FILTER BUT THAT DOSE NOT MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME. HAS THE MANUFACTURER EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERING THIS ?

Air Bags
Filed Oct 26, 201740 milesFL

MY WIFE & I PURCHASED THIS 2012X5 2 YEARS AGO,LAST YEAR THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN OFF THE DRIVEWAY WHERE THERE WAS A LOUD SNAP&BAN. THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE. WE CALLED A TOW AND HAD IT BROUGHT TO JUPITER BMW FL .WE FOUND OUT THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT SNAPPED. MILEAGE WAS 45-48K MILES. WE CALLED BMW NA IT WAS A WARRANTY RECALL PART AND THE DEALER STATED IT WAS REPLACED. AFTER THAT IN THE LAST 10 MONTHS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY STRANGE MOVEMENTS IN THE REAR AND IN TURNS. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE TO A TECH WHERE THEY STATED IT WAS TIRES IN THE REAR. WE RECENTLY REPLACED THE TIRES & IT REMAINED TO BE THERE WHERE IT WAS MILD BUT THERE. DURING THIS TIME PERIOD WE HAD MANY SERIOUS OBSTACLES WITH CANCER & FAMILY IN PR DEVASTATED. WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AIRBAG, WE CALLED THE DEALER TO REPLACE IT. WHILE THERE WE FAILED TO MENTION IT BEING IN A RUSH & STILL ONLY ONE OF THE TWO AIRBAGS STILL UNAVAILABLE. AFTER WE LEFT DURING THE MONTH WE FELT IT MORE SO, AT THAT TIME I TRY TO REACH THE SERVICE ADVISOR & FAILED TO REACH HER IN SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. AFTER DRIVING THIS WEEK IT GOT SERIOUSLY WORSE WHILE MY FAMILY LITTLE CHILDREN IN CAR, WE PULLED OVER CALLED OUR LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE SAID BRING IT IF POSSIBLE OR TOW.SO WE DID! AT THAT TIME WE NEVER DISCUSSED WE REPLACED ANY RECALL DRIVE SHAFT (MAKE NOTE). THE MECHANIC CALLED US IN SHOP SAID THE SHAFT IS BROKE AND LEAKING GREASE HAS A LOT OF PLAY IN IT, ALSO DO TO THAT IS DIRECTLY RELATED & CAUSE TO BE A ISSUE WITH TRANSFER CASE!!!. WE TO

Power Train
Filed Aug 10, 2017NJ

TRANSFER CASE PROBLEM. BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, AFTER THE 2ND YEAR FELT VIBRATION /SHUDDERS WHEN MAKING TURNS FROM A STOP OR LOW SPEED. DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, CHANGED FRONT WHEELS. STILL SAME ISSUE END UP CHANGING 4 NEW TYRES AFTER A YEAR. UP UNTIL 2016 CHANGED AGAIN FRONT AND REAR BRAKE WHOLE SYSTEMS, FRONT DRIVE SHAFT REPLACED DUE TO SAFETY RECALL LAST JULY BUT STILL THE VIBRATION/SHUDDERS REMAINS. SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME IT COULD BE THE TRANSFER CASE AS IT IS MOST ISSUES THEY RECEIVED. QUOTED ME FOR $2650. TOLD HIM THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED 2016. THE FACT THAT THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WAS ALREADY REPORTED TO THEM EARLY ON AND NOW I'VE BEEN ASKED TO PAY FOR THAT LONG OUTSTANDING PROBLEM. VERY DISAPPOINTED. WENT TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALER; TENAFLY UNDER PENSKE GROUP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR EVEN QUOTED ME FOR $8000; REACHED OUT TO BMW DIRECT US RECALL SERVICE AND WILLING TO PAY HALF SO IT'LL END UP STILL FOR $4000. BMW HACKENSACK UNDER PARK AVE GROUP QUOTED ME FOR $2650 PARTS AND LABOR EXCLUDING TAX. REALLY VERY DISAPPOINTED AFTER SPENDING/INVESTING A LOT OF MONEY TO THE CAR. HOPE BMW ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL ESPECIALLY I'VE BEEN SEEING A LOT AND SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSFER CASE IN X5. JUST LOOK ONLINE AND YOU'LL SEE A MANY COMPLAINTS. I'M SURE BMW SEES HOW MANY TRANSFER CASES THEY BEEN REPLACING UNDER THE WARRANTY OR THEY PROBABLY WON'T EVEN BOTHER THEIR OVERHEAD EXPENSE ESPECIALLY IT'S BEING PAID OFF BUY OTHER CONSUMER/OWNER WHO ENDS UP PAYING THE COST OUT OF WAR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 30, 2017119,000 milesTX

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TO GET CAR WASH. ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE LOST POWER STEERING AND THE CAR BATTERY WARNING CAME ON. THE IDLER PULLEY BOLT SNAPPED. LUCKILY MY WIFE DID NOT CRASH. SHE WAS DRIVING 60MPH AND LOST POWER STEERING. SHE IS PREGNANT AND HAD 2 KIDS IN CAR. NOW I'VE REPLACED THIS BOLT AGAIN. I PUT PURCHASED A NEW IDLER PULLEY BOLT WITH LOC TITE. I REPLACED IT AND MET EVERY SPECIFICATION THAT NHTSA REQUIRED. BASICALLY IT ONLY REQUIRE MORE TORQUE AND LOC TITE. THIS TIME IT SNAPPED IN MY DRIVE WAY THANK GOODNESS. THIS IS A SERIOUS TRAFFIC SAFETY SITUATION, I'VE READ MULTIPLE FORUMS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE HAD WORK DONE AT DEALERSHIP AND THE BOLT IS SNAPPING 3 DAYS LATER. OBVIOUSLY BMW DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 3, 2017CO

MY FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN FAILING TO CREATE THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF PRESSURE IN THE FUEL LINE, ON AND OFF, FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY OPERATING AT "REDUCED POWER" WHEN DRIVING. THIS THEN CAUSES ME A SAFETY ISSUE AS I CAN NO LONGER MAINTAIN PROPER SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY. IT ALSO CAUSES ME TO HAVE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES IN A ROW AS THE VEHICLE OFTEN STALLS OUT SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE FINALLY ACHIEVING THE PROPER PRESSURE. MY VEHICLE IS MODEL YEAR 2012, WHICH BMW STATES IS OUTSIDE OF THE CURRENT RECALL. IT APPEARS THAT MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THE ISSUES OUTLINED IN THE RECALL 16V-746. MY REQUEST HERE IS TO HAVE THE RECALL AMENDED TO INCLUDE MY MAKE MODEL AND YEAR OF VEHICLE.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 13, 2017TX

TAKATA RECALL - IT HAS BEEN OVER ONE YEAR SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS IDENTIFIED UNDER THIS RECALL AND I LIVE IN A ZONE A WHICH IS THE HIGHEST RISK AREA. THE LOCAL BMW DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO GIVE ME ANY IDEA OF WHEN MY CAR WILL BE REPAIRED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM THIS DEFECT AND I AM AT RISK EVERY TIME I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE.

Engine
Filed Feb 7, 2017RI

THE VEHICLE IS AN X5 DIESEL. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW BOTH NOX SENSORS (BEFORE AND AFTER CATALYTIC) HAVE FAILED. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD MULTIPLE NOX SENSOR FAILURES ON OTHER BMW DIESEL MODELS. THE SECOND, MOST RECENT, NOX FAILURE HAPPENED TO BE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CAR WAS SERVICED (OIL, DEF FLUID, VEHICLE CHECK) WAS PERFORMED. ALL SERVICE SINCE NEW WAS PERFORMED BY THE BMW DEALERSHIP. BMW SAID THE NOX FAILURE WAS NOT AS A RESULT OF THE SERVICE. REPLACEMENT OF THE NOX SENSOR WAS $1,100. I CAN PROVIDE ALL SERVICE RECORDS FROM BMW IF THEY ARE NEEDED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.

Engine
Filed Jan 4, 201750,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING IN A HIGHWAY APPROX 70 MPH, WARNING LIGHT CAME ON; "ENGINE TOO HOT. DRIVE MODERATELY". HAD TO BE TOWED. ELECTRIC AUXILIARY PUMP IS BAD. THE 6 CYLINDER MODEL SHOULD ALSO BE UNDER THE SAME RECALL/WARRANTY AS THE 8 CYLINDER X5. PLEASE INCLUDE IN RECALL! *TR

Air Bags
Filed Dec 12, 201657,750 milesNC

TAKATA RECALL HAS STILL NOT BEEN PERFORMED

Power Train
Filed Nov 3, 201678,000 milesIN

DRIVESHAFT FAILURE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE ON A STRAIGHT AND LEVEL SECTION OF THE ROAD. I HEARD A LOUD HUMMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA SO I SLOWED DOWN AND THEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AND METAL GRINDING AND HITTING UNDER THE CAR. MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, SO I HAD IT TOWED TO MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT SPECIALIZES IN EUROPEAN VEHICLES. THEY SAID THE DRIVESHAFT "FELL APART" AND AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN IT WAS STILL SPINNING AND BANGED AROUND CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY EXHAUST SYSTEM AND OIL PAN. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT 2011 VEHICLES HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR A DEFECT THAT COULD CAUSE THE DRIVESHAFT TO FAIL, SO I CALLED BMW AND THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I TRIED CALLING THEM AGAIN IN REGARDS TO THE PRIOR YEAR'S RECALL AND ASKED IF IT MAY INCLUDE 2012 MODEL VEHICLES AT A LATER DATE AND THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME AN ANSWER. IT SEEMS STRANGE THAT A VEHICLE MANUFACTURED 4 MONTHS AFTER A RECALL HAS THE SAME ISSUE BUT SOMEHOW IT IS NOT COVERED. I CALLED MY LOCAL BMW SERVICE CENTER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY ADDED A 10 YEAR WARRANTY ONTO THE DRIVESHAFT PARTS, BUT I MUST NOT HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. SO IF I WOULD HAVE TAKEN IT TO THEM, THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED IT FOR FREE, BUT SINCE I DIDN'T, THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN # FOR THE 2011 X5 IS: 16V311000. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 6, 201660,000 milesNJ

PROBLEMS RELATING TO TRANSFER CASE. CAR VIBRATED ON TURNS IN STEERING COLUMN AND THE TURNING BOTH ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND THE LEFT SIDE IS VIBRATING A LOT.

Engine
Filed Aug 9, 201653,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW X5 SAV. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE TAIL PIPE AND THE ENGINE COOLANT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT AND COOLANT EXPANSION TANK NEEDED REPLACEMENT ALONG WITH THE TURBO CHARGER WATER PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT BY THE DEALER PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

Power Train
Filed Sep 10, 201553,500 milesMS

THE UNIVERSAL JOINT ON THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT SHEERED IN HALF WHILE DRIVING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL THIS MORNING. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNS OR NOTICEABLE VIBRATIONS BEFORE. TOWED VEHICLE TO SHOP & DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALED THE FOLLOWING: BMW ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN TO "INSPECT" THE DRIVE SHAFT BACK IN MARCH OF 2015 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10056722 / BMW SIB-26-01-14 AND IN AUGUST OF 2015 THEY ISSUED A VOLUNTARY WARRANTY EXTENSION, BMW SIB-01-15-15. I WILL SEND VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP AND ASK FOR THE REPAIR TO HAPPEN UNDER THIS WARRANTY EXTENSION......UPDATED 06/23/16 * BF *CN

Service BrakesCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 11, 201548,000 milesIL

TRIED TO COMPLETE A 3-POINT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN PLACING VEHICLE FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE UNASSISTED IT ACCELERATION AND WOULD NOT BRAKE NOR STEER; THUS CAUSING MYSELF TO CRASH HEAD ON INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER.

Steering
Filed Apr 4, 201530,296 milesNJ

WHILE IDLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, A ROARING NOISE ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED UNDERNEATH THE CAR. AS I STARTED MOVING, THE NOISE SEEMED TO FOLLOW THE ENGINE ACCELERATION AND GOT LOUDER. THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED GETTING HARDER TO MANIPULATE AND THE NOISE GOT LOUDER AT EACH STEER. I WAS IN A DIFFERENT STATE, ABOUT 40 MILES FROM MY HOUSE. BY THE TIME I GOT TO MY HOUSE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER. I PARKED THE CAR TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. THAT MORNING, WHEN I STARTED THE CAR FOR THE DEALER, THE NOISE WAS LIKE A CRACKING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STUCK. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO TOW THE CAR TO THE BMW OF MANHATTAN DEALER. AMONG OTHER THINGS, THEY FOUND: POWER STEERING RESERVOIR EMPTY, CONNECTIONS ON PRESSURE RETURN LINES LEAKING, GASKETS SEALS LEAKING. AFTER THEY FIXED THE CAR, I STARTED HAVING STEERING ISSUES. THE STEERING WHEEL NOW HAS AN EXTREMELY WIDE PLAY, THE CAR IS ROCKING AT THE SLIGHTEST BUMP, PULLING LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN BRAKING. MOREOVER, WHEN ON A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 55MPH, ANY ROUGH OR PATH HOLE WOULD THROW THE CAR ON A ZIG ZAG AND I HAVE TO FIGHT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE CAR FROM VEERING ONTO OTHER CARS RUNNING BY. I RETURNED THE CAR 3 TIMES TO THE SAME DEALER, 10/07 AND 10/23 AND AFTER KEEPING THE CAR FOR DAYS, THEY SAY CANNOT REPLICATE MY COMPLAINT. IN THE MEANTIME, I SENT THEM COUNTLESS OF EXPLICATIVE EMAILS AND COPIED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE TO NO AVAIL. I HAD TO GO TO OPEN ROAD BMW OF EDISON NJ ON

Power Train
Filed Nov 20, 201474,900 milesNC

PURCHASED NEW 2012 X 5 IN AUGUST 2011. IN JULY 2014 CAR VIBRATED ON TURNS IN STEERING COLUMN AND THOUGHT IS WAS THE NEW TIRES, THEY SAID IT WAS THE CIRCUMFERENCE ON ONE OF THE TIRES, INSTALLED NEW SET. STILL THE VIBRATION OCCURRED....TURNS OUT IS TRANSFER CASE AND $6200.00. THEY COVERED ALL BUT 1300.00 OF MINE AT THE DEALER LEVEL. FRIEND BOUGHT SAME VEHICLE IN OCTOBER 2011 SAME DEALER AND I EXPLAINED PROBLEM TO HER AND SHE HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND ALMOST IDENTICAL MILEAGE. HER TRANSFER CASE ALSO BAD THE SAME MONTH MINE WAS. SHE HAD TO FIGHT WITH BMW BECAUSE SHE HAD OVER 75,000. AT FIRST HER ASSISTANCE ON THE REPLACEMENT WAS DENIED, THEN AFTER CALLS SHE ACTUALLY HAD ALL BUT 500.00ISH PAID. DEALER SAID THEY RARELY HAD TO REPLACE A TRANSFER CASE AND IT WAS A FLUKE- WE DIDN'T THINK SO. FAST FORWARD, BOTH CARS NOW 10,000 MILES LATER EACH ( NOVEMBER 2014)"SMOKE" UPON STARTING IF THEY SIT FOR A FEW DAYS (THE "STEAM" CLOUD IS HUGE). WE BOTH HAD TO ADD OIL WHICH THEY SAY IS NORMAL AFTER AN OIL CHANGE LESS THAN 7000 MILES AGO. DEALER SAYS IT IS NORMAL ON THE OIL ADDITION AND NORMAL SMOKE- CONDENSATION- THIS TIME WE TOOK THEM IN THE SAME DAY AND HAD THEM SIT OVER THE WEEKEND. PEOPLE JUMP BACK FROM MINE BECAUSE THEY ARE SCARED! NOW A WEEK LATER, BOTH SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE WHEN LEFT RUNNING A FEW MINUTES PARKED WITH THE HEAT ON. TOO MANY COINCIDENCES. THIS IS MY THIRD BMW- BUT FIRST TIME WITH PROBLEMS. JUST READ ONLINE ABOUT OTHER TRANSFER CASE ISSUES WITH THAT MODEL YEAR. WE BELIEVE AS TH

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Oct 9, 201414,000 milesVA

I AM A CERTIFIED FIRE INVESTIGATOR WITH VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU, I RECEIVED THIS LOSS 08/14/14. INSURED STATED THAT ON 08/13/14 HE WAS IN HIS HOUSE AND HEARD THE CAR ALARM TO THIS BMW (DIESEL) SAV X5 GOING OFF. HE LOOKED OUTSIDE AND SAW THE LIGHTS FLASHING AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS GOING. NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE. HE WENT OUTSIDE AND SAW SMOKE AND FIRE IN THE DASH AREA, PASSENGER SIDE. HE CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED, BUT CAUSED MAJOR FIRE DAMAGE TO THE DASH AREA. BMW REPRESENTATIVE AND AN ENGINEER HIRED BY OUR COMPANY (FORCON INTERNATIONAL) CONDUCTED A JOINT INSPECTION. THE FIRE DAMAGE WAS AGAIN LOCALIZED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH AREA. IT WAS DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS THE CAUSE OF SOME TYPE OF ELECTRICAL ISSUE. BMW DENIED IT WAS THEIR FAULT STATING THERE WAS TOO MUCH DAMAGE FOR THEM TO ACCEPT LIABILITY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHRINK WRAPPED FOR FUTURE INSPECTION AND IS CURRENTLY BEING STORED IN A LOCKED FACILITY IN RICHMOND, VA. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THERE WAS NOTHING ADDED ON TO THE VEHICLE BY THE OWNER, IT WAS ALL FACTORY INSTALLED. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE AND THE OWNER WOULD BE MORE THAN WILLING TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE WITH NHTSA IF NECESSARY. *TR

20 of 21 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201313100Routine
2012 — this page21410Routine
201124300Routine
201019510Routine
200919410Routine
200820300Routine
200759500Routine
200627010Routine
20040100Do not drive
20031100Do not drive
20020100Do not drive
20010100Do not drive
20000100Do not drive

Compare every X5 Sav year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 5, 2016. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.