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Your vehicleHome›BMW›X5› 2021
BMW · Large SUV

2021 BMW X5

Plug-in hybrid Hybrid Gas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
39 / 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 12
Complaints9 crash · 3 fire · 7 injured reported 111
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 23 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 BMW X5 is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid, hybrid and gas large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the X5 sDrive40i, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for this model year, 3 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 111 complaints, most often about the electrical system. 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 / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
X5 xDrive45ePlug-in hybridAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo + 83 kW DCPM192220 (32 MPGe blended)31 mi electric635 h$4,100
X5 sDrive40iHybridRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo + 44V Li-Ion212623———$3,550
X5 xDrive40iHybridAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo + 44V Li-Ion212523———$3,550
X5 M50iGasAWD4.4L 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: 42807, 42860, 42862, 42863, 42864, 42865.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
X5 xDrive45e7 / 10California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay
X5 M, X5 M Competition, X5 M50i, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i3 / 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

Cylinders6
Displacement3 L

Engine Output

Horsepower335 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity5 seats

Transmission

DrivetrainRWD/Rear-Wheel Drive
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission speeds8

Driver assistance

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

Optional: Adaptive cruise control, Lane keeping assist, Parking assist

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/M Competition, 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 weight4,978–5,368 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 4 configurations: M50I 4-door SUV, xDrive40I 5 Seat 4-door SUV, xDrive40I 7 Seat 4-door SUV, xDrive45E 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 2021 X5
Other years The 2027 X5 Recalls BMW recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 BMW X5 is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module 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 →

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Recalls (12)

Source: NHTSA recall database
●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 →
▲high

Seats

258 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5 xDrive45e, 2021 X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i, and XB7 vehicles. The head restraints on the second-row outer seats may be the incorrect type for the vehicle. Risk In the event of a crash, the head restraints could detach, and increase the risk of injury. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the head restraints, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V156000 reported Mar 10, 2021 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

9 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i and X5 xDrive40i vehicles. The right front brake disc may have been assembled with incorrect fasteners, which over time, could result in the front brake disc becoming loose. Risk A loose brake disc could affect vehicle handling and control, and increase the risk of a crash. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the right front brake disc and replace it if necessary, along with the unaffected left side brake disc, free of charge. There are no owner vehicles affected; therefore, owner notification is not necessary and, as such, a planned owner notification date is not entered into the recall schedule. Owners may contact BMW's customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign 21V089000 reported Feb 18, 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

Steering

21 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5M, X5 xDrive45e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i vehicles. The steering column shaft's universal joint connection may not have been tightened to specifications, and can become loose. Risk A loose steering column shaft universal joint connection can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, depending upon the inspection, either the bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, or the steering column shaft, universal joint, and bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V031000 reported Jan 29, 2021 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Electrical System

812 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator may not have been assembled properly, which can cause increased electrical resistance at the connections. Risk Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V761000 reported Dec 9, 2020 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 →
!critical

Electrical System

4,509 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production. Risk The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury. Fix BMW will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge. The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is completed, drivers are instructed to not charge their vehicles. Drivers are instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. Owners were notified of the safety risk October 23, 2020. The recall began November 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V601000 reported Sep 30, 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 →
!critical

Electrical System

713 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330e and X5 xDrive45e, 2020-2021 X3 xDrive30e, and 2020 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. Loose welding beads may form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells which could lead to a short-circuit. Risk A short-circuited hybrid battery may increase the risk of a fire. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery modules, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 16, 2020. Although potentially affected BMW owners received interim owner notification letters, all potentially affected BMW owner vehicles have been remedied; therefore, BMW Final owner notification letters will not be necessary. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V490000 reported Aug 18, 2020 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Tires

42 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X6 (sDrive40i, xDrive40i and M50i) and X5 (sDrive40i, xDrive40i and M50i) vehicles equipped with certain Pirelli tires. The tires may have a damaged inner layer, possibly resulting in a rapid loss of pressure while the vehicle is moving. Risk A rapid loss of tire pressure while the vehicle is moving can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix BMW has notified all of the affected owners, and dealers will replace the defective tires, free of charge. BMW has contacted owners by telephone and those owners have had their cars remedied. Owner notification letters will not be sent. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V483000 reported Aug 14, 2020 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 2021 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 2021 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 2021 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
111complaints filed

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

22 per 10,000 built · BMW reported 51,273 X5 built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2020: 2 · 2021: 20 · 2022: 11 · 2023: 12 · 2024: 10 · 2025: 25 · 2026: 31

Most-cited components

Electrical System 39
Engine 32
Power Train 31
Unspecified 18
Back Over Prevention 10
Air Bags 7

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.

Previously reported that the BMW X5e, Plug in hybrid, shuts itself off once the driver's door is opened leaving anybody in the car at risk of serious health problems or even death! A menu selection option should disable this unsafe practice but it does not work. As if there is a software glitch.
Electrical System Sep 28, 2021 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11434671
This is a 2021 BMW X5 with BMW's blind spot warning system. The vehicle currently has approximately 5,500 miles and was purchased new. The blind spot warning system has consistently malfunctioned since the vehicle was delivered.
Lane Departure Feb 12, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11451675
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X5. The contact stated that as her husband was stopped at a stop light, the vehicle began to rev after he had taken his foot off the brake pedal without warning. Once her husband placed his foot back on the brake pedal, the revving stopped, and her husband was able to resume normal driving.
Engine at 14,000 miles Feb 1, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11449735
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X5. The contact stated while his wife was reversing the vehicle into the main road when shifting gears into drive, the vehicle began to reverse independently while still depressing on the brake pedal. The contact stated the vehicle ran into two different trees and slashed the front driver's side tire.
Air Bags at 8,000 miles Jan 21, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11448346
After stopping for a red light for a right turn vehicle does not accelerate in hybrid mode when commanded to do so. No alarms are present. Car is shown to be in Drive. After numerous attempts to switch transmission gears and restart the engine, switched to gas (sport) mode and was able to accelerate the car.
Power Train Dec 29, 2021 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11445512
When reversing out of driveway/parking space, the rear cross traffic warning alert doesn't give any warning until my vehicle is inches from another vehicle. The system isn't sensitive enough
Back Over Prevention Sep 23, 2021 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11434135

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: 16 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 21 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 31 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 36k

miles, typically

Half the 25 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 10,000 and 56,000 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 25 on file: 7 under 10k, 3 10k–20k, 3 30k–40k, 4 40k–50k, 2 50k–60k, 3 60k–70k, 1 70k–80k, 2 80k–90k.

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Electrical System1349,0001.75×

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2021-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 (1.75×). 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. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Driver-assist crash reports (2)

Source: NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01
2reports filed

1 minor · 1 severity unknown

Aug 2021 to Dec 2023 · 2 with an air bag deployment · 2 towed

What was engaged, and what was hit

System named: not named in the filings

Crash partner: Other 1 · Unknown 1

Filed by: BMW of North America, LLC

IncidentSystemStruckInjury allegedStateSpeedReport
Dec 2023Level 2OtherminorNJ72 mph10039-6771
Aug 2021Level 2UnknownunknownCA72 mph10039-1520

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 3 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

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 310
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-07-17
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 300 service bulletins, 7 warranty extensions, 2 service campaigns

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

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • B652724 Service bulletin
    2026-05-19 · Air Bags
  • A check control message (CCM) for the restraint system (Air bag) appears. In the instrument cluster, the redair bag warning light lights up permanently. One of the following fault codes is stored in the ACSM (air bag control unit): 930949 - Knee airbag, driver: Short circuit to negative terminal 93094F - Knee airbag, front passenger: Short circuit to negative terminal 93094C - Knee airbag driver's
  • B011425 Warranty extension
    2026-05-07 · 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.
  • B640320 Service bulletin
    2026-05-04 · Structure — Body
  • The center console and front cup holder get noticeably too warm to the touch on long journeys with the interior "Heating on".
  • B010325 Warranty extension
    2026-03-06 · Structure — Body
  • The Radiator Grilles Lower Active Air Flap Assembly 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.
  • B652724 Service bulletin
    2025-11-25 · Air Bags
  • A check control message (CCM) for the restraint system (Air bag) appears. In the instrument cluster, the redair bag warning light lights up permanently. One of the following fault codes is stored in the ACSM (air bag control unit): 930949 - Knee airbag, driver: Short circuit to negative terminal 93094F - Knee airbag, front passenger: Short circuit to negative terminal 93094C - Knee airbag driver's

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 2021 BMW X5 failed the emissions check on 1.6% of first inspections — close to the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.64% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%).

New York inspections 1.6%

failed emissions

3,280 initial inspections of 3,217 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2021 X5Every 2021 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check1.6%1.9%3,272
Failed the safety inspection0.64%1.5%3,280
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.24%0.19%3,280
Miles driven a year9,63010,343odometer at inspection
Average odometer50,79154,681odometer 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 2021 vehicle” is every 2021 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 this page F 12 111 23 mpg2020 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 2021 X5

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2021 BMW X5 have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 12 recall campaigns for the 2021 BMW X5, 3 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 20V761000, covering Electrical System. 2 of them were filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2021 BMW X5?

NHTSA gave the 2021 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 (39/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2021 BMW X5?

Across the 6 EPA-rated configurations of the 2021 BMW X5, the best EPA combined figure is 23 mpg (MPGe on the electrified versions). Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2021 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: 4,978–5,368 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 2021 BMW X5?

Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 BMW X5, most often about electrical system, engine, power train. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 7 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 2021 BMW X5?

The EPA smog rating for the 2021 BMW X5 runs 3 to 7 out of 10 across its configurations. 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 SULEV30, California LEV-III ULEV125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2021 BMW X5?

The manufacturer has filed 310 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2021 BMW X5, most often covering electrical system, equipment, engine. The most recent is dated 2026-07-17. 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 2021 BMW X5 do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 BMW X5 failed the emissions check on 1.6% of first inspections — close to the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.64% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%). 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.
Recalls12NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints111NHTSA 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 bulletins310NHTSA 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 reports2NHTSA 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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