BMW X5 engine problems, 2016–2027
236 of the 967 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the BMW X5 2016–2027 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2019 (63), 2020 (48), 2021 (32). Filed under the same heading across these years: 17 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
BMW X5 engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 3 | 12% | — | 7 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | 16 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 13 | 9% | — | 36 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 5 | 15% | — | 33 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 15 | 21% | — | 32 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 32 | 29% | — | 40 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 48 | 43% | 60k | 59 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 63 | 33% | 65k | 73 TSBs | the record → |
| 2018 | 20 | 28% | — | 32 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2017 | 16 | 22% | — | 65 TSBs · 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2016 | 21 | 28% | — | 77 TSBs · 2 recalls | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2017: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2019: 4 · 2020: 4 · 2021: 9 · 2022: 10 · 2023: 16 · 2024: 47 · 2025: 74 · 2026: 70
Across the model years, half of the 66 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 35,000 and 78,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
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 occasions.
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X5. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormal sounds. No warning light was illuminated.
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X5. The contact stated that while stopped at a red traffic light, the vehicle lost power. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. A dealer was contacted.
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X5. The contact stated while at a stop light, the gear shifter independently shifted into neutral. The contact stated after several attempts, the gear shifter was shifted into park. The contact stated that the gear shifter had seized in park(P).
The original B58 engine (B58B30M0, 2015–2017) utilized a conventional mechanically robust gerotor oil pump with predominantly metallic internal construction and demonstrated strong reliability in field operation.
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 24V608000 CriticalAug 13, 2024 · 720,796 vehicles
- BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
- 18V755000 CriticalOct 25, 2018 · 44,368 vehicles
- 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.
17 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 22, 2026
- The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler (with EGR Valve) and the Auxiliary Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 25 years without mileage limit as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
- Sep 9, 2026
- Potential customer complaints with no fault codes stored / No MIL displayed. 1. “Rough idle after idling for a longer period of time” 2. “Vehicle feels like it is misfiring at idle” The automatic Start/Stop function is deactivated. The vehicle is stopped and the engine runs at idle speed. After prolonged idle operation (approximately 30 to 50 seconds), a slight jolt or slight change in idlespeed m
- Aug 26, 2026
- The return springs on the exhaust camshaft followers (switchable rocker arm) may break.
- Aug 22, 2026
- Air Flap Return
- Aug 14, 2026
- Delivery Stop - Exhaust System Gasket
- Aug 14, 2026
- An exhaust gas sealing ring between thelower catalytic converter and upper catalyticconverter may be missing (1).
- Aug 12, 2026
- This Service Bulletin provides instructions to clean the intake valves using the BMW Carbon Blaster Tool P/N 81 29 2 208 034 and the S68T / XB1T Kit P/N 83 30 5 BAD 3D5. Refer to SI B04 12 11 for existing documentation about the carbon blaster tool and SI B04 02 26 for the S68T /XB1T tool kit.
- Aug 6, 2026
- Fan Return
The 8 newest are listed; each model year’s page lists every one filed on that year. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the BMW X5
Source: the same filesCommon questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich BMW X5 years have the most engine complaints?
2019, 63; 2020, 48; 2021, 32. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2020 (43%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the BMW X5?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 24V608000 (2018), 18V755000 (2017). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the BMW X5?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 60,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 35,000 and 78,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.