KnownCarProblems2019 BMW X5 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 192 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 BMW X5, most often about the electrical (38% of complaints, typically around 55,000 miles). It is 4th of 27 X5 model years by number of complaints and has 13 recalls.
Most common 2019 BMW X5 problems
Electrical
72 complaints · 38%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn, alternator/generator/regulator, starter assembly.
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X5. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the automatic engine shut off was activated but after releasing the brake pedal, the transmission erroneously shifted to neutral, and the engine did not restart. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on multiple occasions while…
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X5. The contact stated that when attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to start and a burning odor was present. The starter had begun smoking. The smoke had settled itself. The fire department was not at the scene. No police report was filed. There were no injuries reported. The…
Engine
64 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2019 bmx X5. The contact stated while parked, the vehicle stalled; there was an abnormal odor coming from the outside of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated; however, the "engine overheating" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The failure occurred on several different…
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X5. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the starter had failed, causing the battery failure. The contact was informed that the starter and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
Other or unspecified
30 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 7,000 miles.
Sunroof exploded. On freeway driving approx 70 MPH. No debris in road, not near over pass, weather clear and 65 degrees. Loud bang like a gun shot, sun screen was closed so it kept most glass out of vehicle.
Issue: my right hand rests often rests on the shift lever while driving. Six to seven times my braking has inadvertently caused the shift lever to move forward to neutral without my realizing it. Then, when I attempt to accelerate I am not moving when traffic approaching from the rear anticipates my movement. Twice…
Transmission
19 complaints · 10%Steering
18 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 1,000 miles.
During very cold conditions (below 10 degrees fahrenheit), the vehicle's steering feels loose, numb and disconnected. At first I thought it was an issue with the driver assistance systems/lane keep assist. I turned all those systems off and the issue persisted. When conditions became warmer, the issue went away. It…
While I was driving the vehicle it suddenly felt as if the car downshifted aggressively and at the same time I lost power steering, power brakes, and my hud for speedometer, etc. The car displayed several warnings simultaneously as well.
Brakes
13 complaints · 7%#1: steering wheel jerks from side to side almost like a twitch in very cold weather on a cold start. Almost feels like driving on ice. Taken to dealer twice and they said "BMW is aware of this issue and not sure on eta for fix". Unacceptable and unsafe in cold climates. #2: automatic emergency braking doesn't work.…
While I was driving the vehicle it suddenly felt as if the car downshifted aggressively and at the same time I lost power steering, power brakes, and my hud for speedometer, etc. The car displayed several warnings simultaneously as well.
Air bags
12 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: sensor.
Seat belts
7 complaints · 4%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2019 BMW X5 recalls
Electrical: starter assembly
Risk: An overheated starter motor can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. This recall includes vehicles repaired under recall 24v576 and those owners will need to have their vehicle repaired again. Owner notification letters were mailed february 9, 2026. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov november 17, 2025.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2020 340i, x6, 2020-2025 840i, 2020-2022 740li, 2019-2020 x7, and x5 vehicles. After repeated attempts, the starter motor may overheat from an electrical overload.
Engine: software
Risk: A starter motor that overheats can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed september 27, 2024. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc is recalling certain 2019-2020 x5, x7, 2020 3 series sedan, x6, 2020-2021 7 series sedan, 2020 8 series convertible, 8 series coupe, and 2020 8 series gran coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. In the event the starter motor fails, repeated attempts to start the vehicle can cause the starter motor to overheat from an electrical overload.
Visibility and wipers: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk: A sunroof that closes without the key fob present inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the roof function control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed june 20, 2022. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2022 4 series gran coupe (430i, 430i xdrive, m440i xdrive); 2019-2022 x5 sdrive40i, x5 xdrive40i, x5 xdrive50i, x5 m50i, x5m; 2021-2022 x5 xdrive45e; 2020-2022 x6 sdrive40i, x6 xdrive40i, x6 xdrive50i, x6m and 2019-2023 x7 xdrive40i, x7 xdrive50i, x7 m50i, x7 xdrive60i, x7 m60i, x7m, alpina xb7 vehicles. The roof function control unit may be programmed incorrectly, allowing the sunroof to close without the key fob present inside the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 118, "power-operated window systems."
Electrical: instrument cluster/panel
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: A dealer will replace the instrument panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on july 26, 2021. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling one 2019 x5 xdrive 40i vehicle. The instrument panel may not have been manufactured correctly, which could prevent the passenger side air bag from deploying properly in a crash.
Backup camera: software
Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began april 16, 2021. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2019-2021 x3 sdrive30i, x3 xdrive30i, x3 m40i, x3m, x4 xdrive30i, x4 m40i, m550i, x4m, x5 sdrive40i, x5 xdrive40i, x5 xdrive50i, x5m, x5 m50i, x7 xdrive40i, x7 xdrive50i, x7 m50i, alpina xb7, 330i, 330i xdrive, m340i, m340i xdrive, and 8 series coupe, convertible and grand coupe, 840i, 840i xdrive, m850i xdrive, m8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xdrive, 330e, 330e xdrive, 745le, 745le xdrive, x5 xdrive45e, x3 xdrive30e, x6 sdrive40i, x6 xdrive40i, x6 xdrive50i, x6 m50i, x6m, 530i, 530i xdrive, 540i, 540i xdrive, m550i xdrive, m5, 740i, 740li, 740li xdrive, m760i drive, m760li xdrive, 750li xdrive alpina, alpina b7 xdrive, and 2021 4 series coupe 430i, 430i xdrive, m440i xdrive vehicles. When shifting into reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with
Brakes: hydraulic
Risk: A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on may 25, 2021. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 series coupe, grand coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xdrive, m850i xdrive, m8 and 740 li, 740 li xdrive, 750 li xdrive, m760 li xdrive, x6 sdrive40i, x6 xdrive40i, x6 xdrive50i, x6 m50i, x6m, and 2019-2021 x5 sdrive40i, x5 xdrive40i, x5 xdrive50i, x5 m50i, x5m, x7 xdrive40i, x7 xdrive50i, x7 m50i, and 2021 m3, m3 competition, m4 coupe, m4 competition coupe, x5 xdrive45e, 745 le xdrive. The rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and could separate during a hard braking event, possibly resulting in a loss of the antilock brake system (ABS) and braking assistance.
Steering: column
Risk: A loose bearing plate can affect the vehicle's handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering column shaft bearing plate and properly attach or replace it, as necessary, free of charge. Bmw telephoned owners and all of the vehicles have been remedied. No owner notification letter is necessary. Please contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2019-2020 x5 sdrive40i, x5 xdrive40i and x5 xdrive50i vehicles and 2020 x6m vehicles. The steering column shaft bearing plate may not have been properly attached to the vehicle, allowing it to loosen.
Backup camera: camera
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began november 8, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or rolls-royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xdrive, 540i, 540i xdrive, m550i xdrive, m5, 530e, 530e xdrive, x3 sdrive, x3 xdrive, x3 m40i, x3 m, and 2019-2020 x4 xdrive, x4 m40i, x4 m, x7 xdrive, x7 m50i, 740li, 740li xdrive, 750li, 750li xdrive, 8 series convertible and coupe 840i, 840i xdrive, m850i xdrive, x5 sdrive, x5 xdrive, x5 m50i, x6 xdrive, x6 m50i, 330i, 330i xdrive, m340i, m340i xdrive, z4 sdrive, z4 m40i, 740le xdrive and 745le xdrive, 2018-2019 640i xdrive gran turismo and rolls-royce phantom, 2019 m850i xdrive gran coupe and rolls-royce cullinan and 2020 toyota supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of f
Wheels and tires: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Risk: Loose bolts may allow a wheel to detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace and tighten the left side wheel bolts, free of charge. The recall began july 16, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2019 x5 xdrive50i and x7 xdrive40i vehicles. The left side wheel bolts may have been insufficiently tightened and may loosen over time.
Engine
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall began august 27, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2020 750i xdrive, 2019 m850i xdrive coupe, m850i xdrive convertible, x5 xdrive50i, x7 xdrive50i, and m5 vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may not have been properly attached to the engine, which may cause the fuel pump flange to crack, resulting in a fuel leak.
Seats
Risk: The improperly tightened bolts can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the attachment bolts for the driver's seat and seat belt, and torque them to the correct specifications, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began april 9, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2019 x5 xdrive40i and xdrive50i vehicles. The attachment bolts for the driver's seat and/or seat belt may not have been properly tightened.
Equipment: labels
Risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Bmw notified owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger sun visor, replacing the visors as necessary, free of charge. The recall began january 4, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2019 bmw x5 xdrive40i and x5 xdrive50i vehicles. The driver and/or passenger sun visor may have an incorrect air bag warning label, or the label may be missing. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: If the bdc short circuits, other nearby components may also overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: All affected vehicles remain on dealer lots, therefore owner letters will not be mailed. Bmw dealers will replace the bdc control unit, free of charge. The recall began on october 17, 2018. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2019 bmw x5 xdrive40i vehicles. The capacitors within the body domain controller (bdc) may short circuit and overheat.
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.
Questions about the 2019 BMW X5
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 BMW X5?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (72 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles); engine (64 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles); other or unspecified (30 complaints, typically around 7,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2019 BMW X5 have?
- 13 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 25, 2025 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2019 a bad year for the BMW X5?
- It is 4th of 27 X5 model years by number of complaints, with 192 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.