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Your vehicleHome›BMW›X5› 2020
BMW · Large SUV

2020 BMW X5

Gas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
42 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 4 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls3 critical 11
Complaints3 crash · 7 fire · 5 injured reported 113
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 23 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2020 BMW X5 is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the X5 sDrive40i, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for this model year, 3 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 113 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

BMW X5 — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
BMW X5 · Photo: Damian B Oh · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
X5 sDrive40iGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo212623$3,550
X5 xDrive40iGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo202622$3,750
X5 M50iGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo162218$4,550
X5 xDrive50iGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo162218$4,550
X5 MGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo131815$5,500
X5 M CompetitionGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo131815$5,500

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42086, 42053, 41774, 41773, 42443, 42444.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
X5 M, X5 M Competition, X5 M50i, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i3 / 10California LEV-III ULEV125 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors4
GVWR classClass 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement3 L

Engine Output

Horsepower355 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity5 seats

Transmission

DrivetrainAWD/All-Wheel Drive
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission speeds8

Driver assistance

Standard: Adaptive cruise control, Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking, Rear cross-traffic alert

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: M50i, X5 M, sDrive40i, xDrive40i). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length194.1 in
Width (body, without mirrors)78.7 in
Height68.9 in
Wheelbase116.9 in
Track, front65.7 in
Track, rear66.5 in
Curb weight4,978–5,335 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear50/50 to 51/49

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 3 configurations: M50I 4-door SUV, xDrive40I 5 Seat 4-door SUV, xDrive40I 7 Seat 4-door SUV. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2020 X5
Other years The 2027 X5 Recalls BMW recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2020 BMW X5 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (11)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Electrical System

145,102 vehicles 59% reported repaired
Problem 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. 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V644000 reported Sep 25, 2025 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Electrical System

105,588 vehicles 87% reported repaired
Problem 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. 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V576000 reported Aug 1, 2024 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Visibility

61,221 vehicles 99% reported repaired
Problem 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." 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 22V267000 reported Apr 20, 2022 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Back Over Prevention

13,858 vehicles 98% reported repaired
Problem 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 43 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V096000 reported Feb 19, 2021 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

893 vehicles 99% reported repaired
Problem 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. 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V062000 reported Feb 10, 2021 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Suspension

83 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i and X6M vehicles and 2021 X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket may separate. Risk If the weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket separates, vehicle handling and control may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle support, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign 20V678000 reported Nov 4, 2020 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Exterior Lighting

307 vehicles 100% reported repaired built Jul 26, 2020 – Aug 3, 2020
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X6 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M, X7 M50i and 2021 X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The headlamps may allow a blue light to illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." Risk Oncoming drivers may be confused by the blue light of approaching vehicles, which could potentially increase the risk of a crash. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlamps and, if necessary, replace them, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V528000 reported Sep 1, 2020 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Power Train

21 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive 40i, X5 xDrive 40i and one X7 xDrive 40i vehicle. The starter motor may have an extra bolt that could potentially fall into the transmission housing and cause an engine stall. Risk An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the starter motor for the extra bolt, removing it if necessary. Dealers will also inspect the starter for damage, and check if the bolt has fallen into the transmission housing, replacing any damaged parts as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 2, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V465000 reported Aug 7, 2020 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Steering

7 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem 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. 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V434000 reported Jul 28, 2020 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Back Over Prevention

257,473 vehicles 97% reported repaired built May 21, 2018 – Aug 13, 2019
Problem 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 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.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V684000 reported Sep 27, 2019 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Steering

12 vehicles 100% reported repaired built Aug 9, 2019 – Aug 16, 2019
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i and X7 M50i vehicles. The steering rack pinion teeth may break under load, resulting in a loss of steering control. Risk A loss of steering control increases risk of a crash. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V631000 reported Aug 28, 2019 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021. On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject mat

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific X5

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2020 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. BMW publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →BMW’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2020 BMW X5, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2020 BMW X5

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this X5 →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
113complaints filed

3 involved a crash · 7 a fire · 5 injuries · 0 deaths reported

75 per 10,000 built · BMW reported 15,097 X5 built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2020: 5 · 2021: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 20 · 2025: 34 · 2026: 40

Most-cited components

Engine 48
Electrical System 39
Power Train 17
Unspecified 15
Service Brakes 6
Air Bags 6

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

How does a known manufacturing defect ( or the factory-filled transfer case oil does not meet BMW specifications.) Not become a safety concern. The wheels have intermittent power from the transfer case.
Power Train May 24, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11590613
My 2020 BMW X5 is having the same issues as SIB651222 based on the extensive troubleshooting that I have done with the telematics system. ALL of the exact symptoms can be found in this YouTube video for an X7
Electrical System May 9, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11587909
Check engine light is on and based on the code there is a problem with the active grill shutters. i did some research and seems this is a common problem where the actuator motor may be the problem
Engine Feb 10, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11571168
The front headlight enclosure repeatedly fogs because moisture gets inside. It has just happened again to us. This has been widely reported by BMW owners and is a significant safety issue that BMW has not addressed. In the interest of public safety BMW should recall and replace whatever defective parts cause the problem
Exterior Lighting Jan 14, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11565451
Rear restraint system malfunction. BMW states it’s a faulty airbag that is not under warranty. Car has never been in an accident and only 4 years old so there should not have been any issues. It is a safety issue for passengers
Air Bags Oct 23, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11551427
While parking the vehicle in a head-on parking spot, the car suddenly accelerated without warning and hit a wall. The car then went into reverse and sped up rapidly until it hit a concrete patio on the other side of the parking lot.
Service Brakes Nov 8, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11492772

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by BMW itself: 14 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 15 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 93 per 100,000 built. Every X5 model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 48k

miles, typically

Half the 26 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 31,000 and 73,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

Too few readings for a curve — the 26 on file: 4 under 10k, 1 10k–20k, 4 30k–40k, 4 40k–50k, 5 60k–70k, 4 70k–80k, 2 80k–90k, 1 90k–100k, 1 100k–150k.

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Electrical System1660,0006.06×
Engine1360,0001.2×

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2020-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Here, owners reported later: electrical system (6.06×). Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆16%
SUV RWDnot rated★★★★☆★★★★★not rated16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Driver-assist crash reports (1)

Source: NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01
1report filed

1 severity unknown

May 2022 to May 2022 · 1 with an air bag deployment · 1 towed

What was engaged, and what was hit

System named: not named in the filings

Crash partner: Pole / Tree 1

Filed by: BMW of North America, LLC

IncidentSystemStruckInjury allegedStateSpeedReport
May 2022Level 2Pole / TreeunknownTX82 mph10039-3997

A report under the General Order is a notice the manufacturer or operator must file within days of hearing of a crash in which a Level 2 driver-assist or automated-driving system was engaged within 30 seconds of impact. It is filed before anything is verified, and entities with telematics hear of far more crashes than entities that rely on complaints, so counts say as much about the reporting as about the car and are not comparable across makes. Nothing is normalised by fleet size. Every report on file, by make and year → · NHTSA’s page and files

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 8 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

2 more in this page’s JSON.

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every BMW warranty extension (46) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 373
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-08-28
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 357 service bulletins, 12 warranty extensions, 2 others

Most often about: Electrical System, Equipment, Engine, Structure, Seats.

  • 2026-08-28 · Structure — Body
  • BMW Notice of the Court’s Final Approval for Shark-Fin Antenna Settlement (X3, X4, X5, X6, X7)
  • B010226 Service bulletin
    2026-08-25 · Structure — Body
  • Rear Roof Antenna Shark Fin Cover Sealing Issue
  • B011524 Warranty extension
    2026-07-28 · Engine
  • The NVLD modules limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the vehicles original in-service / first delivery date.
  • B110426 Service bulletin
    2026-07-17 · Engine
  • The manual starting of electronic engine oil level measurement from inside the vehicle, usually afterperforming an engine oil service task, is inoperative or it may lock up at between a 15% to 30% completionrate.
  • B840226 Service campaign
    2026-07-10 · Electrical System
  • Once the Telematics Module (TCB2) enters sleep mode, a BMW Data Services trigger for Remote Services(remote engine start, lock/unlock/climate conditioning) will not be able to reactivate the TCB2. Due to this issue, Remote Services will not function in the vehicle when parked and locked.
  • B510726 Service campaign
    2026-07-10 · Structure — Body
  • In the affected vehicles, an incorrect screwlocking device (circled) may have been usedfor the mounting bolts of the door latch locks.
  • B010324 Warranty extension
    2026-06-29 · Engine
  • The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
  • B010226 Warranty extension
    2026-05-21 · Structure — Body
  • SHARK FIN ROOF ANTENNA SEALING SETTLEMENT Extended Warranty

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2020 BMW X5 failed the emissions check on 2.2% of first inspections — close to the 2.2% for every 2020 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.99% (every 2020 vehicle: 1.6%).

New York inspections 2.2%

failed emissions

2,225 initial inspections of 2,165 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2020 X5Every 2020 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check2.2%2.2%2,215
Failed the safety inspection0.99%1.6%2,225
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.27%0.19%2,225
Miles driven a year9,3449,980odometer at inspection
Average odometer58,40262,630odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2020 vehicle” is every 2020 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

X5 by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2027 A* 0 0 26 mpg2026 B 2 28 25 mpg2025 C 5 63 25 mpg2024 D 8 145 25 mpg2023 C 4 33 23 mpg2022 A 1 75 23 mpg2021 F 12 111 23 mpg2020 this page F 11 113 23 mpg2019 F 13 193 22 mpg2018 F 5 73 25 mpg2017 F 6 75 25 mpg2016 F 5 74 25 mpg

Common questions about the 2020 X5

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2020 BMW X5 have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 11 recall campaigns for the 2020 BMW X5, 3 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 25V644000, covering Electrical System. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2020 BMW X5?

NHTSA gave the 2020 BMW X5 4 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (42/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2020 BMW X5?

Across the 6 EPA-rated configurations of the 2020 BMW X5, the best EPA combined figure is 23 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2020 BMW X5?

Transport Canada measured it at 194.1 in long, 78.7 in wide (body, without mirrors), 68.9 in tall, on a 116.9 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 4,978–5,335 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2020 BMW X5?

Owners have filed 113 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 BMW X5, most often about engine, electrical system, power train. Of those, 3 involved a crash, 7 a fire, 5 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2020 BMW X5?

The EPA smog rating for the 2020 BMW X5 is 3 out of 10. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III ULEV125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2020 BMW X5?

The manufacturer has filed 373 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2020 BMW X5, most often covering electrical system, equipment, engine. The most recent is dated 2026-08-28. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2020 BMW X5 do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2020 BMW X5 failed the emissions check on 2.2% of first inspections — close to the 2.2% for every 2020 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.99% (every 2020 vehicle: 1.6%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations6 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates6 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls11NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints113NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings2 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins373NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations1NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reports1NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01Crashes the manufacturer or operator reported with a Level 2 or automated-driving system engaged. Notices, filed before verification; not comparable across makes.
Specifications filed with NHTSA12 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2027 X5 The X5 model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 0 recalls.Recalls Every BMW recall on file All campaigns filed against BMW vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this X5 by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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