2020 BMW X5 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
11 safety recalls list the 2020 BMW X5, and owners have filed 113 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
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- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
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- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
11 safety recalls for the 2020 BMW X5
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Starter assembly (electrical system)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 340I, X6, 2020-2025 840I, 2020-2022 740LI, 2019-2020 X7, and X5 vehicles. After repeated attempts, the starter motor may overheat from an electrical overload.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. This recall includes vehicles repaired under recall 24V576 and those owners will need to have their vehicle repaired again. Owner notification letters were…
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Software (engine and engine cooling) and starter assembly (electrical system)
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5, X7, 2020 3 Series Sedan, X6, 2020-2021 7 Series Sedan, 2020 8 Series Convertible, 8 Series Coupe, and 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. In the event the starter motor fails, repeated attempts to start the vehicle…
Remedy: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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Sun/moon roof assembly (visibility)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive); 2019-2022 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M; 2021-2022 X5 xdrive45e; 2020-2022 X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6M and 2019-2023 X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, X7 xDrive60i, X7 M60i, X7M,…
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the roof function control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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Software (back over prevention) and camera (back over prevention)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe,…
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 customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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Hydraulic (service brakes) and service brakes, hydraulic
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7…
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 at 1-800-525-7417.
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Suspension: control arm
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i and X6M vehicles and 2021 X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket may separate.
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.
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Headlights (exterior lighting)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X6 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M, X7 M50i and 2021 X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The headlamps may allow a blue light to illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety…
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 at 1-800-525-7417.
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Starter assembly (electrical system) and automatic transmission (power train)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive 40i, X5 xDrive 40i and one X7 xDrive 40i vehicle. The starter motor may have an extra bolt that could potentially fall into the transmission housing and cause an engine stall.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the starter motor for the extra bolt, removing it if necessary. Dealers will also inspect the starter for damage, and check if the bolt has fallen into the transmission…
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Column (steering) and steering
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i and X5 xDrive50i vehicles and 2020 X6M vehicles. The steering column shaft bearing plate may not have been properly attached to the vehicle, allowing it to loosen.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering column shaft bearing plate and properly attach or replace it, as necessary, free of charge. BMW telephoned owners and all of the vehicles have been…
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Camera (back over prevention)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive,…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at…
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Rack (steering)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i and X7 M50i vehicles. The steering rack pinion teeth may break under load, resulting in a loss of steering control.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
113 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2020 BMW X5 have filed 113 complaints with NHTSA; 3 describe a crash and 7 describe a fire. Reports cite 5 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 50,787 miles. Complaints peaked in 2026 with 40 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The contact owns a 2020 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving, the ignition switch message was displayed. The contact stated that later in the day, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the b”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 1, 2026 · Service brakes, hydraulic
“I am reporting a severe structural safety failure on my 2020 BMW X5. While driving, the front suspension assembly suffered an abrupt mechanical failure. A subsequent inspection by an independent servi”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 27, 2026 · Suspension
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2020 BMW X5 (X5 M, X5 M Competition, X5 M50i, X5 sDrive40i, …). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 15–23 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 13–21 / 18–26 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Engine | 6/8 cyl, 3/4.4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
Compare BMW X5 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every BMW X5 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 BMW X5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 BMW X5 | 6 | 29 |
| 2001 BMW X5 | 12 | 160 |
| 2002 BMW X5 | 3 | 102 |
| 2003 BMW X5 | 3 | 99 |
| 2004 BMW X5 | 4 | 64 |
| 2005 BMW X5 | 2 | 82 |
| 2006 BMW X5 | 2 | 168 |
| 2007 BMW X5 | 8 | 71 |
| 2008 BMW X5 | 10 | 215 |
| 2009 BMW X5 | 12 | 138 |
| 2010 BMW X5 | 14 | 124 |
| 2011 BMW X5 | 14 | 263 |
| 2012 BMW X5 | 10 | 271 |
| 2013 BMW X5 | 6 | 149 |
| 2014 BMW X5 | 8 | 99 |
| 2015 BMW X5 | 6 | 152 |
| 2016 BMW X5 | 5 | 74 |
| 2017 BMW X5 | 6 | 75 |
| 2018 BMW X5 | 5 | 72 |
| 2019 BMW X5 | 13 | 191 |
| 2020 BMW X5 | 11 | 113 |
| 2021 BMW X5 | 12 | 108 |
| 2022 BMW X5 | 1 | 70 |
| 2023 BMW X5 | 4 | 33 |
| 2024 BMW X5 | 8 | 145 |
| 2025 BMW X5 | 5 | 62 |
| 2026 BMW X5 | 2 | 25 |
Checking a specific 2020 BMW X5
How do I know if my 2020 BMW X5 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 11 campaigns currently list the 2020 BMW X5; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised BMW dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 19V631000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other BMW models
- 328I2,578 complaints
- X32,004 complaints
- 325I1,386 complaints
- Z41,281 complaints
- 3 Series843 complaints
- 528I835 complaints
- 330I815 complaints
- 335I810 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.