FaultScore

Worst years for a BMW X5

Owners have filed 4,530 complaints about the BMW X5 with NHTSA across model years 2000 to 2026. More of them are about the engine & cooling than anything else.

Avoid

2021 BMW X5

158 complaints — the highest FaultScore of any year, mostly electrical system.

Cleanest on record

2007 BMW X5

119 complaints — the lowest FaultScore of the graded years.

Every BMW X5 year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
2026 C 30 6 0 Electrical System
2025 D 105 17 1 2,000 Brakes
2024 D 250 15 1 6,000 Brakes
2023 B 48 6 0 Electrical System
2022 D 111 17 1 21,000 Transmission & Drivetrain
2021 D 158 21 7 14,000 Electrical System
2020 C 151 6 12 54,000 Engine & Cooling
2019 D 267 9 1 24,507 Electrical System
2018 C 100 4 2 11,000 Engine & Cooling
2017 C 111 6 0 27,000 Fuel & Propulsion
2016 B 110 3 0 57,000 Electrical System
2015 D 199 12 8 61,000 Engine & Cooling
2014 C 130 4 15 48,500 Fuel & Propulsion
2013 C 215 3 13 65,000 Engine & Cooling
2012 D 374 7 13 70,000 Engine & Cooling
2011 D 395 9 23 69,858 Engine & Cooling
2010 C 190 2 8 67,000 Engine & Cooling
2009 C 203 4 12 84,405 Airbags
2008 D 319 4 19 76,271 Engine & Cooling
2007 B 119 2 4 99,500 Airbags
2006 D 221 6 17 85,000 Airbags
2005 C 109 3 7 89,075 Engine & Cooling
2004 C 93 4 13 86,500 Transmission & Drivetrain
2003 C 134 5 20 90,000 Engine & Cooling
2002 C 136 3 15 89,000 Engine & Cooling
2001 D 215 7 19 83,000 Engine & Cooling
2000 B 37 4 3 75,000 Windows, Mirrors & Wipers

What breaks on a BMW X5

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Engine & Cooling 902 19.9%

Worst in 2011

Airbags 628 13.9%

Worst in 2006

Electrical System 538 11.9%

Worst in 2019

Worst in 2011

Worst in 2015

Brakes 308 6.8%

Worst in 2024

Worst in 2019

Steering 136 3.0%

Worst in 2012

Body & Structure 119 2.6%

Worst in 2014

Worst in 2024

Worst in 2001

Worst in 2024

Lights 87 1.9%

Worst in 2008

Seats 83 1.8%

Worst in 2006

Exactly what failed on a BMW X5

The named sub-assemblies behind those complaints, across every model year.

Body 89 30.0%
Automatic Transmission 37 12.5%
Automatic Emergency Braking 35 11.8%
Latch 25 8.4%
Engine 22 7.4%
Power Window Devices AND Controls 21 7.1%
Warnings 18 6.1%
Warnings 17 5.7%
Sun/Moon Roof Assembly 17 5.7%
Occupant Classification 16 5.4%

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every BMW X5, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Jun 2000 peak 83 Aug 2026

BMW X5 problems by state

Where owners filed from. Heavier states are usually just bigger markets, but a part that fails in heat or salt shows up here first.

Compare the BMW X5

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.