28 of the
293 complaints filed about the BMW X5 SAV
are about the electrical system —
10% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2007.
LOST POWER WHILE CRUISING AT 60 M/HR. OTHER CARS ALMOST HIT ME WHEN I WAS TRYING TO MOVE TO THE SIDE FOR SAFETY CAUSING LOTS OF TRAFFIC. THEN WENT TO THE BMW DEALER (PATRICT BMW) IN SCHAUMBURG IL FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN THE FUEL SYSTEM ELECTRICALLY. THE WIRING HARNESS WERE MELTED , BLEW FUSE AND RELAY AND THEY SAID THE MOTOR ALSO BURNED OUT. I WILL ATTACHED DOCUMENT FROM THE BMW DEALER FOR MOE INFO.
NHTSA complaint #11204941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I'M GETTING WARNING LIGHTS ON MY DASH STATING MY TAILLIGHTS ARE OUT. I CHECKED BOTH TAILLIGHTS AND THE HOUSING THAT HOLDS THE BULBS ARE MELTED THROUGH. THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT CAUSES THE BULBS TO OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. THIS HAPPENS IN PARK OR DRIVE. THE TAILLIGHTS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AND SOME TYPE OF CODING OR RESISTER WILL NEED TO BE INSTALLED TO PREVENT THEM FROM OVERHEATING AGAIN
NHTSA complaint #11156823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
N63 ENGINE FAILURE AND BATTERY CHARGING PROBLEMS. ENGINE BLOWS MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF WHITE SMOKE FROM REAR TAILPIPES AND BATTERY INDICATOR STATES LOW CHARGE. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT TO BMW AS THOUSANDS HAVE COMPLAINED BUT BMW IS ATTEMPTING TO WEASEL THERE WAY OUT OF THIS BY NOT RELEASING A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11142958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOR WORKING PROPERLY. UNABLE TO SET TIME AND DATE SERVICE SCHEDULE ETC. SOFTWARE IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DEFINITELY HAS DEFLECTS. CD IS NOT WORKING TOO. THESE PROBLEMS OCCYRS TWO YEARS AGO AND STILL REMAIN.
NHTSA complaint #11130757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BRAKE LIGHTS ARE FAILING CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. BMW ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM (SB-10040177-8428 / SI B63 10 09) IN MARCH 2011. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED BY THE BMW DEALERSHIP MANY MANY TIMES, BUT THE SERVICE BULLETIN WAS NEVER MENTIONED OR EXECUTED. WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE DASH - ISSUE IS PRESENT BOTH MOVING AND STATIONARY. HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2013/SB-10040177-8428.PDF HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2013/SB-10040177-8428.PDF
NHTSA complaint #11105182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOST POWER STEERING AS CAR WAS DRIVING APPROX 50 MPH ON GARDEN STATE PARKWAY AT TOP OF BRIDGE OVER THE RARITAN RIVER. BATTERY WARNING CAME ON DASH, CAR LOST POWER AND THEN STOPPED. NO COLLISION OR INJURY. CAR WAS TOWED AND REPAIRED BY C&T TOWING AND AUTO REPAIR, RAHWAY NJ. DAMAGE OBSERVED WAS PARTIALLY MELTED IDLER PULLEY AND SHREDDED DRIVE BELT. REPAIR INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF DRIVE BELT, A.C. STRETCH BELT, IDLER PULLEY, DRIVE BELT TENSIONER AND SERPENTINE TENSIONER.
NHTSA complaint #11104935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE REPLACE MY KEY FOB TWO TIME IN ONE YEAR EACH TIME IT COST ME $275.00 BY BMW WHY CAN'T BMW REPLACE THE KEY WITH A $2.00 LIKE ALL ITS OTHER MODELS. ONLY THE 2008 MODELS COST THAT MUCH
NHTSA complaint #11011505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WATER PUMP I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I GOT THE SIGNAL TO DRIVE SLOW OR MODERATE BECAUSE THE ENGINE IT'S GETTING HOT I PULLED OVER TURN OFF THE CAR GOT OUTSIDE TO SMOKE A CIGARETTE AND I COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING MORE LIKE WIRE BURNING
NHTSA complaint #11006391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TO GET CAR WASH. ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE LOST POWER STEERING AND THE CAR BATTERY WARNING CAME ON. THE IDLER PULLEY BOLT SNAPPED. LUCKILY MY WIFE DID NOT CRASH. SHE WAS DRIVING 60MPH AND LOST POWER STEERING. SHE IS PREGNANT AND HAD 2 KIDS IN CAR. NOW I'VE REPLACED THIS BOLT AGAIN. I PUT PURCHASED A NEW IDLER PULLEY BOLT WITH LOC TITE. I REPLACED IT AND MET EVERY SPECIFICATION THAT NHTSA REQUIRED. BASICALLY IT ONLY REQUIRE MORE TORQUE AND LOC TITE. THIS TIME IT SNAPPED IN MY DRIVE WAY THANK GOODNESS. THIS IS A SERIOUS TRAFFIC SAFETY SITUATION, I'VE READ MULTIPLE FORUMS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE HAD WORK DONE AT DEALERSHIP AND THE BOLT IS SNAPPING 3 DAYS LATER. OBVIOUSLY BMW DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11002447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING AND ACCELERATING SHUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING MAINLY IN THE CITY I COULD B TURNING OR DRIVING STRAIGHT AND SHUTS OFF AND TAKES AWHILE TO RESTART...ELECTRICAL WIRING KEEPS SHORTING OUT SUNROOF SHORTS OUT AND TAIL LIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT...I TOOK IT TO DEALER PAID $5000 AND SAME PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR
NHTSA complaint #10980933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FIRE HAZARD, POTENTIAL ENGINE SHUTTING OF UNEXPECTEDLY: BATTERY CABLE AT CHARGE POINT UNDER HOOD MELTED AND CHARRED . DISCOVERY PRECEDED BY NOTICEABLE BURNING SMELL IDLING IN TRAFFIC. PLASTIC TERMINAL MOUNTING BASE MELTED AND CHARRED, TERMINAL DISCONNECTED FROM BASE, PLASTIC INSULATION AROUND CABLE TERMINAL CRIMP CHARRED AND MISSING. PARTS AFFECTED: 12 42 7 531 720 MAIN POWER CABLE CHARGE POINT TO ALTERNATOR; 12 52 1 439 674 BASE B+; 61 13 8 371 016 COVER BASE B+. EXAMINATION OF THE CRIMPED TERMINAL CONNECTING THE CABLE TO THE CHARGE POINT BOLT SHOWS THE CABLE NOT FULLY INSERTED IN THE TERMINAL BEFORE CRIMPING AND THE TERMINAL NOT COMPLETELY SOLDERED TO THE CABLE RESULTING IN A HIGH ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THE TERMINAL AND EXCESSIVE HEATING WHEN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UNDER LOAD WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF OVERHEATING OF THE CABLE INCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND UNEXPECTED SHUT DOWN OF THE ENGINE AND ALL POWER ASSISTED SYSTEMS WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10871663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER PARKING SUV, DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK/OPEN WITH DOUBLE PULL, HOWEVER, USING UNLOCK BUTTON (UNLOCKS ALL DOORS) DOOR WILL UNLOCK. IN AN ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY ONE INVOLVING FIRE, THIS COULD BE A FATAL SAFETY ISSUE. WORKED FINE UP UNTIL YESTERDAY, NOW IT WON'T UNLOCK; MADE THREE TRIPS IN THE VEHICLE YESTERDAY AND THE ISSUE OCCURRED ALL THREE TIMES AFTER PARKING.
NHTSA complaint #10825005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER DRAINED INTO THE MODULE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE RADIO AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM TO EXPERIENCE A SHORT CIRCUIT FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IN THE DRAINING SYSTEM IN THE REAR SUN ROOF OF THE VEHICLE, THAT WATER COULD ENTER THE COMPARTMENT WHERE THE MODULES WERE LOCATED, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE, A VEHICLE STALL, OR AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DRAIN NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
NHTSA complaint #10809335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS MOUNTED IN THE TAILGATE FAILED. THIS IS DUE TO A KNOWN FAULT ON THE E70 MODEL, WHERE THE POOR QUALITY SEALANT AND METHOD USED TO PREVENT THE INGRESS OF WATER INTO THE LAMP HOUSING FAILS. THIS LEADS TO CORROSION OF THE CONNECTOR HOUSINGS AND THE FAILURE OF THE UNIT WHICH MUST BE REPLACED IN ITS ENTIRITY AT GREAT COST. AS BMW ARE AWARE OF THIS HAPPENING (INDEED THEY ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ADMITTING SAME ) SI B 63 11 10 AND THE ITEM IS A SAFETY COMPONENT, I FEEL THE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE WORK UNDERTAKEN AT THE COST OF BMW AND NOT THE UNFORTUNATE OWNERS. THEY SHOULD AT THE VERY LEAST, REPLACE THE SEALS WITH THE UPDATED ITEM (A NEOPRENE GASKET RATHER THAN SOMETHING RESEMBLING BATHROOM CAULK) AT THE NEXT SHEDULED SERVICE BEFORE THE DRIVER FINDS THEMSELVES WITH TWO FAILED BRAKE LIGHT UNITS?
NHTSA complaint #10721584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY VEHICLES PURCHASED LAST YEAR FROM BMW LOCAL DEALER {JACKIE COOPER IMPORTS] IS EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED ENGINES .THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP OVERHEATED. THIS LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP AND AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT . BMW WAS SUPPOSED TO NOTIFY OWNERS, REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, AND COOLANT RESERVOIR FREE OF CHARGE. THE TWO SAFETY RECALLS RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM APPARENTLY DID NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. REF NHTSA COMPAIGN RECALL #11V521000 AND NHTSA COMPAIGN RECALL # 12V161000. I HAVE LOGGED A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS WITH THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEIR RECALL RESOLUTION DEPARTMENT IN VAIN. I AM BEING CHARGED FOR PARTS AND LABOR WHICH I BELIEF SHOULD BE FREE A SNOTED BY THE TWO RECALLS .
NHTSA complaint #10716078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH MY 2010 BMW X5 35D BREAKDOWN. IT SAID THE CHARGING MALFUNCTION ON THE SCREEN. POWER STEERING WAS LOST. WHEEL STEER WAS HARD TO MANEUVER. HARD TO MOVE. I ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE BATTERY DIED. EVERYTHING JUST NOT FUNCTION BC OF LOST IN POWER STEERING. WHEN I TOWED MY CAR TO BMW MANHATTAN, THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR MY BMW X5 35 D. SHE TOLD ME THE DEALER WOULD CHARGE ME ABOUT $900 TO REPLACE PULLEY BELT BOLT AND BATTERY AND ETC . I TOLD HER IT'S ONE OF RECALL. AFTER THAT THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT SHE WILL CALL ME BACK ON THAT WHICH SHE NEVER DID, MY CAR WAS STILL AT BMW MANHATTAN. IT'S BEEN A WEEK IN THE DEALER. I'M STILL WAITING TO KNOW WHAT HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #10702323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I AM A CERTIFIED FIRE INVESTIGATOR WITH VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU, I RECEIVED THIS LOSS 08/14/14. INSURED STATED THAT ON 08/13/14 HE WAS IN HIS HOUSE AND HEARD THE CAR ALARM TO THIS BMW (DIESEL) SAV X5 GOING OFF. HE LOOKED OUTSIDE AND SAW THE LIGHTS FLASHING AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS GOING. NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE. HE WENT OUTSIDE AND SAW SMOKE AND FIRE IN THE DASH AREA, PASSENGER SIDE. HE CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED, BUT CAUSED MAJOR FIRE DAMAGE TO THE DASH AREA. BMW REPRESENTATIVE AND AN ENGINEER HIRED BY OUR COMPANY (FORCON INTERNATIONAL) CONDUCTED A JOINT INSPECTION. THE FIRE DAMAGE WAS AGAIN LOCALIZED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH AREA. IT WAS DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS THE CAUSE OF SOME TYPE OF ELECTRICAL ISSUE. BMW DENIED IT WAS THEIR FAULT STATING THERE WAS TOO MUCH DAMAGE FOR THEM TO ACCEPT LIABILITY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHRINK WRAPPED FOR FUTURE INSPECTION AND IS CURRENTLY BEING STORED IN A LOCKED FACILITY IN RICHMOND, VA. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THERE WAS NOTHING ADDED ON TO THE VEHICLE BY THE OWNER, IT WAS ALL FACTORY INSTALLED. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE AND THE OWNER WOULD BE MORE THAN WILLING TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE WITH NHTSA IF NECESSARY.
NHTSA complaint #10643518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON FEBRUARY 15, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 AM, MY 2008 X5 3.0SI HAD AN OVERHEATING ENGINE PROBLEM IN THE MIDDLE OF A BLIZZARD-LIKE CONDITIONS IN THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA WHERE MY FAMILY AND I WERE VACATIONING. THIS WAS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION FOR ME, MY WIFE AND THREE YOUNG CHILDREN WHO WERE ACCOMPANYING ME. THE CAR ENTERED INTO A "SAFE MODE", SLOWED DOWN TO ALMOST A COMPLETE HALT, JUST WITH ENOUGH TIME FOR ME TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF A STEEP MOUNTAIN ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF FREEZING TEMPERATURES. THEN I HAD TO TRY TO FIND A SAFE WAY OUT OF THIS SITUATION. WE HAD TO STAY IN THE CAR FOR SEVERAL HOURS TRYING TO KEEP WARM UNTIL I COULD GET A TOWING SERVICE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE CLOSEST BMW SERVICE CENTER (85 MILES AWAY) AND FIND A CAR RENTAL SO I COULD GET MY FAMILY TO A SAFE PLACE (I.E. HOME, 115 MILES AWAY). THE SERVICE CENTER FIXED MY CAR AT A COST OF $1,400, AND THEY TRACED THE PROBLEM BACK TO AN ELECTRIC WATER PUMP FAILURE. THIS IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD MANUFACTURER`S WARRANTY UNTIL BARELY THREE MONTHS AGO, AND THIS EXPENSIVE AND VITAL ENGINE PART FAILS CONVENIENTLY SOON AFTERWARDS. THIS ELECTRIC WATER PUMP OUGHT TO HAVE A LIFE EXPECTANCY OF MORE THAN 6 YEARS/69,000 MILES. IN SHORT, MY FAMILY AND I WERE PUT IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND I HAD TO SPEND MORE THAN $1,800 (INCLUDING TOWING AND CAR RENTAL CHARGES) OUT OF MY POCKET BECAUSE OF A NOTORIOUSLY BAD BMW PART (THE SUBJECT OF NUMEROUS RECALLS AND TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS IN OTHER BMW X5S).
NHTSA complaint #10568360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY BMW 2010 X5 DIESEL CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE CENTER CONSOLE AREA AFTER ONLY A FEW MINUTES AFTER DRIVING CAR. THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE SEEMED TO ORIGINATE UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE CARGO AREA AS A HOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE QUARTER WAS BURNED UP THOUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE CARGO AREA. THE INITIAL INDICATOR OF THE PROBLEM INCLUDED SMOKE COMING THROUGH VENTS. ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS OCCURRED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE CAR AS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PUT IT IN PARK WHILE IT WAS ON FIRE. WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE CARGO AREA. THE CAR WAS VERY GOOD SHAPE OTHERWISE WITH NO PROBLEMS AND THE CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY STILL UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10537589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP HAS CONSTANTLY FAILED EVEN AFTER REPLACING IT AND CAUSED ALSO DAMAGE TO FUSE BOX AND THERMOSTAT MOST OF THE TIME. BMW MUST BE FORCED TO RECALL THE 2007 X5 3.0I AND GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED ONCE AND FOR ALL.
NHTSA complaint #10520291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.