Buying a used 2019 BMW X5? Check these 13 recalls first
The 2019 X5 has ten recalls, four of them fire-related: a control unit that can overheat, a high-pressure fuel pump that can leak, and two separate starter motor fire campaigns. Others cover insufficiently tightened left-side wheel bolts, a loose steering column plate, brake unit failure, a passenger airbag, and loose driver seat and belt bolts. Complaint volume is high — NHTSA lists 185 owner complaints, unverified reports, with 4 crashes and 1 fire, dominated by electrical system (71) and engine (50).
Before you buy
- Get the 17-character VIN from the seller and run it at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows which recalls are still unrepaired on that exact car.
- Get a VIN-specific recall report; with ten campaigns, ask which remain open.
- Have left-side wheel bolt torque and the steering column plate checked by a shop.
- Test electrical systems thoroughly — screens, lighting, sensors — given electrical leads the complaint areas by a wide margin.
- Open recalls are repaired free at any BMW dealer, whoever owns the car — an open recall is a to-do item, not a bill.
Recalls covering the 2019 BMW X5
| Recall | Area | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| BMW X5 control unit can overheat and catch fire | Electrical System | critical |
| BMW high pressure fuel pump can leak and cause fire | Fuel System, Other | critical |
| BMW X5, X6, X7 and sedans risk starter motor fire | Electrical System | critical |
| BMW starter motor can overheat and cause a fire | Electrical System | critical |
| BMW X5 and X7 left side wheel bolts insufficiently tightened | Wheels | high |
| BMW X5 steering column plate may come loose | Steering | high |
| BMW X5, X6, X7 and M cars: brake unit failure | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | high |
| Single BMW X5 passenger airbag may not deploy properly | AIR Bags | high |
| BMW X5 driver seat and belt bolts possibly loose | Seats | medium |
| BMW backup camera may show partial or blank image | Back Over Prevention | medium |
| BMW X5, X6 and X7 sunroof closes without key | Visibility | medium |
| BMW X5 sun visors missing correct airbag warning label | Equipment | low |
| BMW and Toyota Supra backup camera picture can vanish | Back Over Prevention | low |
What owners have reported to NHTSA
185 complaints filed for this model year, including 4 mentioning a crash, 1 a fire and 0 injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and popular models collect more of them simply because more are on the road.
| Problem area | Complaints | Recall in this area? |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 71 | Yes |
| Engine | 61 | None found |
| Power Train | 18 | None found |
| Steering | 18 | Yes |
| Brakes | 12 | Yes |
| AIR Bags | 12 | Yes |