Buying a used 2020 BMW X5? Check these 11 recalls first
The 2020 X5 carries ten recalls, including steering gear teeth that may break and two starter motor fire campaigns. Others cover a loose steering column plate, a front suspension weld that may break, brake unit failure, a loose bolt that can stall the engine, a sunroof that closes without the key, and backup camera faults. NHTSA lists 110 owner complaints — unverified reports — noting 3 crashes, 6 fires and 5 injuries, with electrical (39) and engine (33) far ahead.
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.
- Ask for documentation that the steering gear and both starter fire recalls were completed.
- Have the front suspension welds and steering column inspected, and note any steering notchiness or play.
- Look for engine or electrical fault history in service records, given six fires among owner reports.
- 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 2020 BMW X5
| Recall | Area | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| BMW X5 and X7 steering gear teeth may break | Steering | 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 steering column plate may come loose | Steering | high |
| BMW X5, X6 and X7 front suspension weld may break | Suspension | high |
| BMW X5, X6, X7 and M cars: brake unit failure | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | high |
| BMW X5 and X7 loose bolt can stall the engine | Power Train | 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 and Toyota Supra backup camera picture can vanish | Back Over Prevention | low |
| BMW X5, X6, X7 headlights may shine blue light | Exterior Lighting | low |
What owners have reported to NHTSA
110 complaints filed for this model year, including 3 mentioning a crash, 6 a fire and 5 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? |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 47 | None found |
| Electrical System | 39 | Yes |
| Power Train | 17 | Yes |
| AIR Bags | 6 | None found |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | Yes |
| Brakes | 5 | Yes |