42 recalls covering model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025. To check whether your vehicle is affected, look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls — a recall may apply only to some vehicles of a given year.
The integrated brake system in these vehicles may malfunction. This can cause a loss of power brake assist, which affects how the brakes work. It can also cause the Antilock Brake System and the Dynamic Stability Control system to stop functioning properly. To fix this, the integrated brake system will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced, free of charge for owners.
After repeated starting attempts, the starter motor in these vehicles may overheat because of an electrical overload. An overheated starter sitting in the engine compartment can get hot enough to ignite nearby material that catches fire easily.
Certain BMW models with an integrated brake system may have the system malfunction. This can cause a loss of power assist for the brakes, meaning it takes more pedal effort and distance to stop the vehicle. The malfunction can also stop the Antilock Brake System and Dynamic Stability Control from working properly, which can affect the driver's ability to keep control of the vehicle.
The welds inside the servomotor of the integrated brake control module may break. If this happens, the vehicle can lose power assist for the brakes and lose function in the rear brakes. The antilock brake system and the dynamic stability control system may also stop working properly. To fix the problem, BMW dealers will replace the entire integrated brake system with a new one.
An electrical connector on the engine's water pump was not properly sealed, so it can be exposed to water. If water reaches it, the connector can short circuit.
If the starter motor fails, repeated attempts to start the vehicle can cause the starter motor to overheat from an electrical overload. This affects certain BMW M340i, X5, X6, and X7 vehicles, among other models. Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge.
Certain BMW X5, X6, X7, XM, and Alpina XB7 vehicles have a seat belt system that may wrongly detect a passenger as buckled in when they are not. This can keep the seat belt warning light from turning on, and it may also keep the airbag system from deploying the way it is supposed to in a crash. Dealers will inspect the front seat lower seat belts and replace them if necessary.
The tire information placard on these vehicles may show the wrong tire size and tire pressure. Because the numbers printed on it are incorrect, the placard does not give accurate information about which tires should be used or how much air should be in them. This means the information a driver would see on that label may not match what the vehicle actually needs.
On some 2024 X5 and X7 models, the instrument panel may not have been built correctly. Because of this, the panel could come apart when the airbag deploys, or the airbag itself may not deploy properly. Either problem could mean pieces of the panel strike someone inside the vehicle, or that an occupant isn't restrained as intended by the airbag during a crash.
The integrated brake system in these vehicles may malfunction. This can cause a loss of power brake assist, which affects how the brakes work. It can also cause the Antilock Brake System and the Dynamic Stability Control system to stop functioning properly. To fix this, dealers will replace the integrated brake system, and this repair is free of charge for owners.
Some BMW X3, X4, X5, X6 and Toyota GR Supra vehicles have a transmission control unit with a cover that was not welded correctly. Because of this manufacturing issue, automatic transmission oil can leak into the control unit. If oil gets inside, it can cause the transmission gears to seize up, which suddenly takes away the vehicle's drive power.
BMW is recalling certain BMW X5, X6, X7 and XM models, along with the Alpina XB7. On these vehicles, the knee airbag for the front passenger may not deploy the way it is meant to. This airbag is one of the airbags meant to protect the person sitting in the front passenger seat. Dealers will replace the front passenger knee airbag free of charge, and owner letters have already been mailed.
BMW is recalling certain X5, X6, X7, Alpina XB7, and XM vehicles. The knee airbag on the driver's side, the passenger's side, or both may not have been built correctly. Because of that, the knee airbag may not open the way it is supposed to. Dealers will replace the affected knee airbag or airbags with new ones, at no cost to the owner. BMW has mailed notification letters to owners about this recall.
Some BMW X5 vehicles have second-row outboard seat head restraints that may have been manufactured without a locking tab in the guide sleeves. Because that tab is missing, the head restraint may not stay properly locked into position. A head restraint that isn't locked in place may not properly restrain a passenger's head during a crash.
On certain X5 vehicles, one of the four bolts holding the driver's seat backrest to the seat frame may not have been installed correctly. This means the seat backrest could be loose. Dealers will inspect the driver's seat backrest and install a bolt if needed, free of charge.
BMW is recalling certain X5 and X7 models. The windshield may not have been bonded to the vehicle properly. A poor bond can let water get into the vehicle and reach electrical parts, which can cause a short circuit. Dealers will inspect the windshield seal and, if necessary, take the windshield out and reinstall it with a new seal, free of charge. BMW mailed owner notification letters on December 30, 2022.
BMW is recalling certain X5, X6, X7 and 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles, including Alpina XB7 models. The control unit that operates the roof may have been programmed incorrectly, which allows the sunroof to close even when the key fob is not inside the vehicle. Because of this, the vehicles do not meet the federal safety standard for power-operated window systems. Dealers will reprogram the roof control unit at no cost, and BMW has mailed notification letters to owners.
On some BMW diesel models, including the X5 xDrive35d, the high-pressure fuel pump that delivers fuel to the engine may fail.
BMW is recalling one 2019 X5 xDrive 40i. The instrument panel, the dashboard section of the interior, may not have been built correctly on that vehicle. Because of the way it was made, the passenger side airbag could be prevented from opening properly if the vehicle is in a crash. Only that single vehicle is covered by this recall. A dealer will replace the instrument panel free of charge, and owner notification letters were mailed on July 26, 2021.
On these BMW X5 and X7 vehicles, the head restraints, meaning the padded supports at the top of the seat backs, on the two outer seats in the second row may be the wrong type for the vehicle. A dealer will look at those head restraints and, if they are not the correct ones, replace them. BMW is writing to owners about the problem.
BMW is recalling certain 2019-2021 cars and SUVs across many models because of a problem with the backup camera. When the driver shifts into reverse, a small part of the picture behind the vehicle may be hidden, or the screen may not light up at all. Because of this, the vehicles do not meet the federal safety rule for rear visibility. Dealers will check the backup camera software and update it if needed.
Some X5 SUVs may have had the right front brake disc assembled with the wrong fasteners. Over time, this could cause the brake disc to become loose. A loose brake disc can affect how the vehicle handles and increases the risk of a crash.
The rotor and shaft inside the vehicle's integrated brake system may not have been welded together correctly. During hard braking, they could come apart from each other.
Certain BMW X5, X6 and X7 vehicles may have a steering column problem. The connection joining the steering column shaft was not tightened to the correct specification when the vehicle was built, and it can come loose over time. A loose connection in the steering column can affect how the steering responds, making the vehicle harder to handle and control while driving.
On certain BMW models, the connection between the 48-volt battery and the starter-generator may not have been put together correctly. This can lead to increased electrical resistance at that connection point in the vehicle's electrical system.
On these BMW X5, X6, and X7 vehicles, the weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket may separate.
Certain plug-in hybrid BMW and MINI models, along with the BMW i8, may have debris that got into one or more cells of the high-voltage hybrid battery during manufacturing. This debris can cause a short-circuit inside the battery. A short-circuit like this raises the chance of a fire starting in the vehicle, or of someone being injured.
BMW is recalling certain X5, X6 and X7 models, including several performance and plug-in versions, because the headlights may give off a blue light. Federal rules set which colors a vehicle's lamps are allowed to show, and headlights that let blue light through do not meet that standard. BMW is having dealers look at the headlamps on the vehicles covered and fit new ones where an inspection shows they are needed.
In certain plug-in hybrid BMW and MINI models, loose metal welding beads inside the hybrid battery could form a conductive path between battery cells that are not supposed to be connected to each other. This stray connection could cause the battery to short-circuit. Dealers will inspect the battery modules and replace them if necessary, and the repair is free of charge for the owner.
On certain BMW X5 and X6 vehicles equipped with specific Pirelli tires, the inner layer of the tire may be damaged. This can cause the tire to rapidly lose air pressure while the vehicle is moving.
Some of these SUVs left the factory with an extra bolt in the starter motor that should not be there. That extra bolt could come loose over time and fall into the transmission housing. If the bolt ends up in the transmission housing, it can cause the engine to stall while you are driving. An engine that suddenly stalls while underway increases the chance of a crash.
BMW is recalling certain X5 and X6M vehicles. The steering column shaft bearing plate may not have been properly attached to the vehicle, which can allow it to loosen over time.
On certain BMW, Rolls-Royce and Toyota Supra models, the backup camera and display settings can be adjusted so the rear-view image no longer shows on the screen. Once set this way, the system keeps that setting the next time the vehicle is put in reverse, so no camera image appears.
BMW is recalling certain X5 and X7 SUVs because the steering rack's pinion teeth may break under load while driving. If the pinion teeth break, the driver can lose the ability to steer the vehicle. This loss of steering control can happen while the vehicle is in use, affecting the driver's ability to guide the car in the direction intended.
On some X5 and X7 vehicles, the wheel bolts on the left side of the vehicle may not have been tightened enough when the vehicle was built. Because these bolts were not tightened sufficiently, they may gradually loosen further over time as the vehicle is driven.
On these BMW vehicles, the high-pressure fuel pump may not have been properly attached to the engine. Over time, this can cause the fuel pump flange to crack. A cracked flange can allow fuel to leak from the fuel system.
On some 2019 BMW X5 xDrive40i and xDrive50i vehicles, the bolts that attach the driver's seat and seat belt to the vehicle may not have been tightened properly. Because these bolts hold the seat and seat belt in place, a loose bolt could leave the seat or seat belt less securely attached than it should be. Dealers will inspect these attachment bolts and tighten them to the correct specification if needed, free of charge.
BMW is recalling certain X5 vehicles because the driver and/or passenger sun visor may have an incorrect airbag warning label, or the label may be missing altogether. Because of this, the vehicle doesn't meet federal safety labeling requirements for occupant crash protection. Dealers will inspect the sun visors and replace them if needed to correct the problem.
Some X5 SUVs have an electrical control unit that manages a range of body functions. Inside this unit, small electrical parts called capacitors can short circuit and overheat. When that happens, other components located near the unit may also start to overheat. This buildup of heat can increase the chance that a fire begins somewhere in the vehicle. BMW says the affected vehicles remain on dealer lots and have not yet been sold to owners.
BMW says a part inside the portable TurboCord charging cable that comes with certain plug-in hybrid and electric models can fail. If that happens, it could cause an electrical shock or start a fire. This applies to the charging cord itself, not the car's main electrical system. BMW will have dealers look at the charging cable and swap it out for a new one if it's affected, at no cost to the owner.
BMW is recalling certain X5 and X6 vehicles. The pivot bolt on the front lower-left control arm may not have been properly hardened. This can cause the control arm to break.
On some BMW X5 and X6 vehicles, the bolts that secure the front suspension may not have been tightened properly. Loose bolts can affect how the suspension performs.
Recalls and NHTSA owner complaints for each model year, side by side. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and better-selling or older years naturally collect more — read this as a record, not a ranking.
| Model year | Recalls | High / critical | Do-not-drive / park-outside | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 71 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 2019 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 185 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 110 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
| 2021 | 12 | 8 | 0 | 105 | 9 | 3 | 7 |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 67 | 9 | 1 | 3 |
| 2023 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 145 | 9 | 1 | 3 |
| 2025 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 63 | 9 | 1 | 5 |
NHTSA lists 42 safety recalls covering the 2018–2025 BMW X5. 34 of them are rated high or critical on this site. The most recent is "BMW, Mini Integrated Brake System May Malfunction" (NHTSA campaign 26V422000), reported Jul 1, 2026.
The 2019 BMW X5 has the most, with 13 recalls. The 2022 model year has the fewest of the years we cover, with 1. Newer model years have had less time to collect recalls, so a low count on a recent year is not a guarantee.
No. None of the 42 BMW X5 recalls on file carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory from NHTSA.
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall often applies to only some vehicles of a model year, and the VIN lookup shows the ones still unrepaired on your car. Recall repairs are free at any franchised BMW dealer, including for second owners.
Recalls and complaint record for one model year at a time: