KnownCarProblems2015 BMW X5 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 152 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 BMW X5, most often about the engine (34% of complaints, typically around 99,000 miles). It is 7th of 27 X5 model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2015 BMW X5 problems
Engine
51 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 99,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine, cooling system.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the contact observed smoke emanating from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road where he observed fire emanating from the engine compartment. The fire was extinguished by hand and the…
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that the water pump remained running while the vehicle was turned off, causing the battery to drain. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the…
Fuel system
50 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic went to the residence to diagnose the vehicle. The contact stated that several unknown fault codes were retrieved. The contact received notification of…
I randomly began smelling fumes in vehicle when stopped at traffic lights. Questioned my da at classic BMW of plano. He said not air or fuel filter, all is okay. A couple months later the car engine stopped at red light in the city of rowlett. I was able to get it started & into a lot, would not crank, had it towed…
Other or unspecified
19 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles.
While driving at highway speeds will doors locked, the front left drivers side door opens by itself. This has happened twice in the last week. This could be life threatening if it happened to the back seat doors and a child was not buckled in and leaning on the door.
I was driving on a highway when I smelled smoke and within seconds the back of my car was engulfed in black smoke. I was able to get in the breakdown lane and open the trunk where I saw a fire in the trunk. I shut the trunk and ran and the car blew up two times. 4 months previous to this the local BMW dealership…
Air bags
14 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: frontal.
My husband was traveling on the highway at night. He stated that the car in from of his was stopped in the middle of the highway. He was unable to stop in time to avoid rear ending the other vehicle. We have a new BMW X5 SUV and he hit a lexus SUV- both substantial vehicles. Both cars were not drivable following the…
I recently received a takata auto airbag notice I contacted my local BMW dealer. They confirmed the automobile which I have had serviced there in the past, stated that my automobile was not part of the recall. Later that day I went online to check on the www.autoairbagsettlement.com to confirm that my car had not…
Transmission
14 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: driveline.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle started to hesitate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to his destination. The vehicle was taken to independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the transfer case needed to be…
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 65 MPH, the front driveshaft detached and damaged the transmission. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The dealer stated that the u-joint had dislodged and caused the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer.…
Electrical
13 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel.
I was driving on a highway when I smelled smoke and within seconds the back of my car was engulfed in black smoke. I was able to get in the breakdown lane and open the trunk where I saw a fire in the trunk. I shut the trunk and ran and the car blew up two times. 4 months previous to this the local BMW dealership…
Heads up display stopped functioning. Odb code LED to BMW technical bulletin si b62 05 16. This was a known software corruption that requires software update. Dealer refuses to update software without charging three hours labor ($150/hr). BMW will not respond to my complaint.
Steering
7 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that while his sister was driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the…
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and slightly turning the steering wheel, the vehicle would emit abnormal grinding sounds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed…
Body and structure
6 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 1,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The rear passenger door latch failed while driving. The door would not latch whatsoever, and as such, would swing freely to full open. Closing the door would only bounce it off the car body and would not latch. I inspected the latch and found the door latch to be in exactly the same position as the other passenger…
My husband was traveling on the highway at night. He stated that the car in from of his was stopped in the middle of the highway. He was unable to stop in time to avoid rear ending the other vehicle. We have a new BMW X5 SUV and he hit a lexus SUV- both substantial vehicles. Both cars were not drivable following the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2015 BMW X5 recalls
Fuel system: fuel system, diesel
Risk: A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 18v-755. Vehicles previously recalled under 18v-755 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on january 18, 2022. The remedy is expected to be available in june 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on july 6, 2022. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2013-2018 328d, 328d xdrive, 2014-2018 328d sports wagon, 328d xdrive sports wagon, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xdrive, 2015 740ld xdrive, 2015-2017 x3 xdrive28d sav, and 2014-2017 x5 xdrive35d sav diesel vehicles equipped with an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on january 14, 2022. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2014-2018 328d, 328d xdrive, x5 xdrive35d, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xdrive, 2015 740ld xdrive, and 2015-2017 x3 xdrive28d vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.
Engine: gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Risk: The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the EGR cooler as necessary. If a leak has already occurred, the engine intake manifold will also be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began may 13, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2013-2018 bmw 328d and 328d xdrive, 2014-2018 328d sports wagon and 328d xdrive sports wagon, 2014-2016 535d and 535d xdrive, 2015 740ld xdrive, 2015-2017 x3 xdrive28d sav and 2014-2017 x5 xdrive35d sav vehicles equipped with an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. If the EGR cooler leaks internally, the coolant can mix with diesel engine soot. The high EGR temperatures may result in these particles possibly smoldering and melting the intake manifold.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator housing could separate from the base plate and result in metal striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began on november 1, 2016. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc. (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2015 bmw x3 sdrive28i, x3 xdrive28i, x3 xdrive35i, x3 xdrive28d, x4 xdrive28i and x4 xdrive35i vehicles, and model year 2014-2015 x5 xdrive35i, x5 sdrive35i, x5 xdrive50i, and 2014 x5 xdrive35d vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver's frontal air bag inflator that may have been improperly welded.
Air bags
Risk: Without a secure connection to the inflator, the hps air bags may have insufficient inflation during a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the head protection system, free of charge. The recall began on june 24, 2015. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2015 bmw x5 xdrive 35d sports activity vehicles (sav) manufactured august 19, 2014, to february 16, 2015, and 2014-2015 bmw x5 xdrive 35i, x5 sdrive 35i, x5 xdrive 50i, sports activity vehicles (sav) manufactured august 28, 2013, to february 16, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the head protection system (hps) air bag may not be securely connected to the air bag inflator gas generator.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat belt attachment could break and fail to restrain a seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left rear seat frame, free of charge. The recall began november 2014. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or [email protected].
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2015 x5 vehicles manufactured september 12, 2014,to september 21, 2014 and equipped with the optional rear comfort seat. The left rear seat belt attachment point in the affected vehicles may not have been sufficiently welded.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
High pressure fuel pump failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe21-021 on october 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (my) 2019-2020 ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7l cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, odi sought to determine if the related defect allegation was limited in scope to the recalled population. After review of information request response materials from both fca and bmw, NHTSA determined that sufficient information to identify a comprehensive recall population could not be produced by fca and bmw.during the investigation fca filed rec
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2015 BMW X5
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 BMW X5?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (51 complaints, typically around 99,000 miles); fuel system (50 complaints, typically around 86,000 miles); other or unspecified (19 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2015 BMW X5 have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 19, 2021 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2015 a bad year for the BMW X5?
- It is 7th of 27 X5 model years by number of complaints, with 152 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.