BMW X5 headlight problems

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Vehicle has excessive condensation in driver headlight. Garage kept only. Problem discovered because of parking vehicle outside on driveway while the garage hosted moving boxes. This was the only time this vehicle has spent the night outside.

NHTSA complaint #11717301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I noticed one of my daytime running lights on the driver’s side laser headlight had turned yellow, instead of white like the others. I took the vehicle to the dealership and they said that the LED module that powers that daytime running light has overheated and caused the light tube to burn and melt. The dealership advised that the passenger side is also slowly starting to do the same thing. The repair the dealership recommended is to replace both headlights, at a cost of almost $18k! I’ve seen numerous BMWs on the roads with this same issue, and this should be addressed by BMW as a design flaw. If these modules are burning plastic pieces inside the housing, they could start a fire if they get hot enough.

NHTSA complaint #11691993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BRAND NEW X5 BMW 50E CAME TO A STOP AND ENTIRE CAR WENT DEAD. NO START, LIGHTS, IN TOTAL DARKNESS WITH NO EMERGENCY LIGHTS. DASH SCREEN DID SHOW A DRIVE TRANE MALFUNCTION BEFORE IT TOTALLY DIED. CAR WAS REPAIRED AFTER 2 MONTHS AND REPLACEMENT PARTS MALFUNCTION. CAR STILL HAS ELECTRONIC ISSUES AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES SINCE MAJOR FAILURE. SAFETY ISSUE WITH NO EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING AND VEHICLE WENT DEAD I WOULD HAVE HAD A CRASH.

NHTSA complaint #11679552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

On the driver's side the headlight's smaller light stopped working. I brought the car to BMW and they said the LED burned out, which also caused burn marks on the headlight assembly, so the entire headlight assembly needs to be replaced.

NHTSA complaint #11668105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Airbag light is on for passenger and fuel injectors messed up. This is a 2008 and other ones had recalls. I don’t understand why mine did not lights are flickering a little bit and before it was smoking really bad and I had to get that fixed.

NHTSA complaint #11667236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Headlights continually fog up and puddle water in them. It takes a major effort to dry them out. Dealer says they are vented and that they will clear themselves but don't. This is a continual problem and poses a safety issue because of headlight failure.

NHTSA complaint #11663666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Factory seal on headlight assembly weakens causing headlamp to retain water

NHTSA complaint #11627711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

It’s not a one time experience, it’s all the time. But I feel, and many, many other people (owners of the same car and other car enthusiasts agree) that the rear turn signals on the 2024 BMW X5 are not sufficient enough. I do not feel the illuminate properly and it seems as though they are malfunctioning when in use. BMW started using the sequential fading turn signals, which I don’t like, but they are bright and easily distinguishable in the front, but the back, it does not make me feel safe enough. I do not feel they illuminate correctly and feel they are not bright enough (even though there is nothing wrong with them). I feel as though the rear turn signals are confusing for other drivers and does not do a good job at letting other drivers know I’m turning. They pulsate and look like they malfunction. I’d rather they just be like a standard LED, that flashes straight on & straight off. Or better yet, have a separate LED amber strip in the middle of the rear taillight (like the European models have) which makes it easier to distinguish and allows other drivers to know when I’m turning. I do not feel safe with the current rear turn signals.

NHTSA complaint #11615563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Dash lights dim to the point where they are barely visible. Safety concern issue by not being able to see in daytime. Yes and was told its a issue from BMW. There are no warnings or messages, just purchased the vehicle used and thought it was something that needed repaired. Very concerned about safety!

NHTSA complaint #11566754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The front headlight enclosure repeatedly fogs because moisture gets inside. It has just happened again to us. This has been widely reported by BMW owners and is a significant safety issue that BMW has not addressed. In the interest of public safety BMW should recall and replace whatever defective parts cause the problem.

NHTSA complaint #11565451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

To Whom It May Concern. Please help me on this. I purchased a BMW x5 that needed recalls installed at the BMW dealer. I purchased the vehicle, performed routine preventative maintenance, new tires, new brakes, full detail, shampooed the interior, and full wash, etc. When I took my BMW to the dealer, the BMW dealer installed the recalled items, but did not install or replace the defective FRM footwell module that controls the electric windows, signals, headlights, emergency flashers, and all the interior lights. Per BMW service manager, this FRM is defective from the factory because the FRM does not have a relay or fuse disconnect that protects the FRM from current surges or spikes. The manner and area that this FRM was mounted into the BMW x5 chassis makes this FRM electronic module highly susceptible to being damaged or become defective due to no fault of the vehicle driver or owner. Shame on BMW for not standing behind the quality of their vehicles. I have spent a considerable amount of money, close to one thousand dollars on the diagnosis and repair of footwell module FRM on my 2011 BMW x5 vehicle. Please intervene on my behalf, hundreds of other BMW x5 owners have also been fraudulently sold defective parts and vehicles. BMW knows this is a major safety issue, yet BMW will not issue a recall until NHTSA, NTSB, or another government entity forces BMW to do the right thing. Shameful. Please intervene on our behalf. Respectfully, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11550536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

The contact owns a 2019 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the horn and turn signals were inoperable. Additionally, the windshield wipers remained on constantly and failed to deactivate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA complaint #11528912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that after activating the passenger’s side indicator, the exterior turn signal operated as designed; however, the instrument panel light failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000.

NHTSA complaint #11519014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BMW NA is aware of this problem with the sunroof leaking water on the dashboard and damaging the electrical of the car. BMW NA is colluding with the dealers to inform customers they are clogged to charge them money for a clog that is non existent. The sun roof are not clogged as BMW NA and the dealers are saying I have video of the unclogged drain tubes and have caught the dealers all lying that they are clogged. I have video of this and can reproduce this collusion again again with the dealers lying.

NHTSA complaint #11479374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Headlight wiring loom insulation on both passenger and driver sides degrading heavily to the point of disintegration on touch. My driver side headlights have stopped working despite best attempts at isolating wires. I have received multiple headlight(low/DRL) warnings and errors because of this issue. It has been verified by countless independent mechanics and hobbyists on this generation of car with no aftermarket or OE solutions. I have since almost collided with objects in the road while driving at night due to this faulty manufacturing. I also fear for an electrical fire which is bound to happen due to exposed wiring. This has been happening for a few months with no improvement and further degradation. I have not had it inspected by BMW.

NHTSA complaint #11441212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The low beam headlights do not illuminate the road sufficiently when there are dips in the road or going up hill. The dealer says the lights are fine but relative to the other cars, there is clearly a problem with low beams on undulating roads. On undulating roads or going up hills, the low beams often only illuminate about 20 ft in front of the car. The problem appears to be BMW has drastically limited the upward lighting from the lights for safety of other drivers. However, they have gone too far and created a safety issue with too little upward illumination to be safe on uneven roads. The low beams are great on a perfectly flat surface, but even with a small up hill grade, the low beams are not set to provide enough lighting of the road. I have taken to driving with high beams on for undulating roads because of the lighting provided by the low beams is so bad. This means inadvertently blinding oncoming drivers because I don't turn the high beam headlights down soon enough. I often need to use high beams to read the names of side street signs. The turn signal does a better job illuminating these side street signs than the low beams. By trying to enhance safety for on coming drivers from low beams, they forgot to account for real world driving condition of undulating roads and have created a worse safety issue by forcing more frequent use of high beams that absolutely blind on coming divers.

NHTSA complaint #11436201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

When purchased, it was discovered that the OE Passenger Side (Right) brake light/indicator housing of this vehicle had melted from the heat of the standard OE halogen brake bulb, causing the brake light to fall out of its placement in the housing. This results in the brake light indicator to emit little or no visible warning to other drivers, since the indicator bulb has fallen down outside of the casing. Because the indicator may not be visible to other drivers, it presents a hazard of others not being warned that I am braking and could result in drivers of other vehicles not being prepared to brake and therefore could result in a collision that can vary from minor fender bender to fatal collision. It could also result in a more devastating vehicle fire that could destroy more than just the indicator housing. It is visible and is reproduced every time vehicle brake pedal is depressed and brake indicators are engaged. Problem has been confirmed by BMW of South Austin. This specific vehicle has yet to be inspected by insurance, police, manufacturer or others, but is a known problem with these rear indicator housing assemblies that are present on both sides of the vehicle. No warning chimes or signals were present before, during, or after incident, and to this day, there are still no warning signals, signs, chimes, or indicators present.

NHTSA complaint #11417551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE FOLLOWING TOOK PLACE IN JUNE 2020. I STILL OWN THE VEHICLE. I'VE GARAGE KEPT MY SUV, HOWEVER RECENTLY I MOVED TO CITY FOR WORK AND BEEN PARKING MY X5 OUTSIDE. IT HAD BEEN RAINING PRETTY HARD IN THE LAST FEW DAYS AND I WAS DRIVING W/ MY 4-YEAR-OLD IN BACK WHEN SUDDENLY THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS AND VARIOUS MESSAGES ON THE ENTERTAINMENT SCREEN STARTED FLASHING. THE WARNINGS TOOK ME OFF GUARD AND SOME OF THE MESSAGES THAT MY ENGINE MAY STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC MADE ME PANIC, ESPECIALLY WITH MY KID IN THE BACK. I PULLED OVER AND STARTED TAKING PICTURES MESSAGES. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THE WATER FROM THE SUNROOF LEAKS INTO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TRUNK WHERE THE ELECTRONICS AND AUDIO EQUIPMENT ARE LOCATED. (NOW I KNOW IT LEAKED ON BOTH SIDE'AS LEITH BMW TECHNICIAN FOUND WATER ON THE RIGHT SIDE TOO WITH ELECTRIC WIRES SUBMERGED). I FOUND ABOUT HALF A GALLON OF WATER ACCUMULATED. I TOOK WATER OUT USING A WATER BOTTLE I CUT IN THE MIDDLE AND TRIED TO DRY OFF AFFECTED ELECTRONICS. WHEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE CHIMES ARE GONE AND SO IS THE SOUND. THE RADIO STATIONS AND NAVIGATION WORKS, BUT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO SOUND COMING OUT. ALSO, THE TRUNK LIFT GATE DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY OPEN ANYMORE MAKING IT VERY HARD TO OPERATE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WON'T GO AWAY. I CONTACTED BMW AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO BMW AUTHORIZED DEALER AND PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR IT. THAT COST AROUND $400. I KEPT RECEIPT. ALL THEIR COMMUNICATION WAS VERBAL AS TO NOT LEAVE EMAIL TRAIL. THE ONLY SOLID REJECTION LETTER I RECEIVED IS WHEN THEY REPLIED TO MY BBB COMPLAINT. SO FAR I HAVE CONTACTED BMW DIRECTLY WHO REJECTED MY CLAIMS, BBB OF NEW JERSEY (WHERE BMW IS LOCATED) WHO CONTACTED BMW DIRECTLY AND BMW SENT A REJECTION LETTER, CONSUMER REPORTS, CPSP.GOV WHO DIRECTED ME TO NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

NHTSA complaint #11398040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.