2021 BMW X5 Reliability & Recall Report
Based on 12 NHTSA recalls and 109 owner complaints. All data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — free, no signup required.
F
26/100
Very High Reported Activity — 2021 BMW X5
The 2021 BMW X5 shows very high recall and complaint activity in NHTSA data. Counts are raw and are higher for popular models, so see how we score this below. Review the issues and recalls carefully, and have the vehicle inspected before buying.
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12
NHTSA Recalls
12 recalls on record
109
Owner Complaints
Filed with NHTSA
9
Crash Reports
3 fire reports
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NHTSA Recalls — 2021 BMW X5 (12)
All recalls listed below must be repaired by an authorized BMW dealer at no charge to the owner.
🔧 Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Critical Fasteners
A loose brake disc could affect vehicle handling and control, and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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…
🔧 Electrical System: 12v/24v/48v Battery
Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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…
🔧 Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
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.
Remedy: 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…
🔧 Seats: Mid/Rear Assembly: Head Restraint
In the event of a crash, the head restraints could detach, and increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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…
🔧 Exterior Lighting: Headlights
Oncoming drivers may be confused by the blue light of approaching vehicles, which could potentially increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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…
🔧 Service Brakes, Hydraulic
A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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…
🔧 Tires
A rapid loss of tire pressure while the vehicle is moving can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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…
🔧 Steering: Column
A loose steering column shaft universal joint connection can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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,…
🔧 Suspension: Front: Control Arm
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.
Remedy: 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.
🔧 Electrical System: Propulsion System: Traction Battery
The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
Remedy: 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…
Showing 10 of 12 recalls. View all on NHTSA.gov →
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Most Common Problems — 2021 BMW X5
Based on 109 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Bars show relative complaint frequency.
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BMW X5 — Complaints by Year
A spike means more owner complaints were filed for that model year. The 2021 model year is highlighted.
→ Recently checked BMW X5 VINs — free recall, safety and specs report for any VIN.
→ Decode a BMW VIN — free BMW VIN decoder guide: where to find the VIN and what each part means.
⚠ Higher-complaint years: 2019 — These model years have more owner complaints in NHTSA data than the other years compared.
✅ Best model years: 2023 — Lowest complaint rates for this model.
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Frequently Asked Questions — 2021 BMW X5
Is the 2021 BMW X5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 BMW X5 has 12 recall campaigns and 109 owner complaints. This model year shows elevated recall or complaint activity — review the details and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How many recalls does the 2021 BMW X5 have?
The 2021 BMW X5 has 12 NHTSA recalls. Affected systems include: see recall details above. All recalls are repaired free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 BMW X5?
The most commonly reported problems for the 2021 BMW X5 are: Power Train, Electrical System, Unknown Or Other, Engine And Engine Cooling. See the complaint breakdown above for full details.
Is the 2021 BMW X5 safe to buy?
The 2021 BMW X5 has some safety and reliability items to review before buying. Ensure all 12 recalls are completed at a dealer. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is strongly recommended.
What year BMW X5 should I buy?
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the best years for the BMW X5 are: 2023. These show the lowest complaint rates. Years with higher complaint counts: 2019.
How we score this: The score starts at 100 and subtracts points for the number of NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints filed for this model year, and for complaints that report crashes or fires. Newer model years get a small bonus because they have had less time to collect reports. These are raw counts and are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, so popular models tend to have more recalls and complaints. Complaints are unverified owner reports. This grade is not a prediction about any individual vehicle and is not an inspection: check a specific car’s VIN for open recalls and get an independent pre-purchase inspection.
Data source: All recall and complaint data is sourced directly from the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public API. Data is cached and refreshed every 7 days. Recall and complaint counts reflect data available at the time of last cache update.
For the most current recall status on a specific vehicle, enter the VIN above or visit
NHTSA.gov/recalls.