2017 BMW X5 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: August 1, 2026 · Filed: October 5, 2026

2016 BMW X5 — Driver’s seat unexpectedly moves forward toward the steering wheel while driving. The seat moves without activation of the seat adjustment controls. This creates a safety hazard because the driver’s position can suddenly change while the vehicle is in motion, potentially interfering with steering and pedal control.

Incident: June 5, 2026 · Filed: September 24, 2026

The component experiencing the malfunction is the transfer case on my BMW X5. The transfer case has already been serviced in an attempt to correct the problem; however, the vehicle continues to experience issues related to the transfer case even after the service was completed. The vehicle and transfer case are available for inspection upon request. This issue is a safety concern because the transfer case is an important part of the vehicle’s drivetrain and all-wheel-drive system. The continuing malfunction affects my confidence in the vehicle’s ability to operate and transfer power properly, particularly during acceleration, turning, or changing road conditions. I am concerned that the problem could worsen or result in an unexpected loss or interruption of power to the wheels while the vehicle is being driven, potentially putting me, my passengers, and other motorists at risk. The problem has continued after the transfer case was serviced, indicating that the original repair or service did not fully resolve the underlying issue. The vehicle has already been evaluated and serviced for the transfer case concern, but I am still experiencing symptoms afterward. I am requesting that the continuing transfer case problem be properly diagnosed and corrected, as the previous service did not resolve the issue.

Incident: January 16, 2026 · Filed: January 23, 2026

While driving, the electronic parking brake (EPB) system malfunctioned. The vehicle was stopped in DRIVE with Auto Hold active. When the driver door was opened briefly, the vehicle attempted to transition from Auto Hold to applying the electronic parking brake as a safety function. At that moment, the EPB malfunction warning appeared and the parking brake system faulted. There were no prior mechanical brake issues (no dragging brakes, no unusual noises, no brake wear symptoms). The issue appears to be an electronic/control-related failure of the EPB actuator/control unit rather than typical brake wear. A repair facility retrieved multiple diagnostic fault codes related to the electronic parking brake actuator/control unit and recommended replacement of the EPB actuator assembly followed by initialization/calibration and clearing of faults. This creates a potential safety risk because the electronic parking brake may apply unexpectedly or may not apply/release as intended during safety logic events (such as opening the driver door while stopped), potentially immobilizing the vehicle or creating a hazard in traffic or parking situations.

Incident: December 15, 2025 · Filed: January 9, 2026

The contact owns a Nuna car seat, Model Type: Rava, Model Number: CS05103CVR, Manufactured Date: July 14, 2022. The car seat was being used in a 2017 BMW X5. The contact stated that the left side harness on the safety car seat was loose, preventing the child from being securely restrained in the car seat. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The car seat was not repaired or replaced.

Incident: August 15, 2025 · Filed: October 8, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving or while the vehicle was parked and occupied, there was an abnormal smoke odor coming from the engine of the vehicle. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Incident: August 1, 2024 · Filed: July 28, 2025

No remedy for recall and no plan

Incident: July 19, 2025 · Filed: July 25, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated with several unknown warning lights illuminated. In addition, the vehicle lost electrical functions. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed coolant pump. The contact was informed that the coolant pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

Incident: May 30, 2025 · Filed: June 4, 2025

Battery overheated and melted plastic cover

Incident: February 1, 2023 · Filed: May 6, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 BMW X5. The contact stated that the oil drain plug and the oil pan do not have adequate space after being stripped. The metal in the oil pan was very thin. There was oil located on the engine and the ground. The contact was losing a quart of oil every 600 miles driven. The contact added oil to the vehicle as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil pan needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Incident: December 28, 2023 · Filed: April 19, 2025

I am writing to formally document two significant incidents involving the complete failure of the high-pressure fuel system in my BMW vehicle, VIN [XXX] , which have raised concerns about the reliability of this component. On [XXX], while navigating city street traffic, my vehicle, with 57,376 miles, experienced a total loss of power, resulting in the vehicle stalling in the left lane. The vehicle was towed to an authorized BMW dealership, where the entire high-pressure fuel system was diagnosed and replaced under warranty. As the second owner of this vehicle, I acquired it from my neighbor, the original owner. Upon reviewing the complete service records provided by the previous owner, I discovered that a nearly identical issue occurred at 39,066 miles. The service documentation states, "Client reports that while driving, the vehicle lost power and stalled." At that time, the high-pressure fuel system was also fully replaced. Further investigation revealed that BMW issued a safety recall notice between these two incidents, acknowledging potential failures in the high-pressure fuel pumps. However, the recall indicated that no remedy was available at the time. I've attached all the service records for both incidents and BMW North America's letter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)