2021 BMW X5 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

12 safety recalls list the 2021 BMW X5, and owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

safety recalls

108

owner complaints to NHTSA

9 / 3

complaints citing a crash / fire

15–23

MPG combined (EPA)

12 safety recalls for the 2021 BMW X5

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

Sun/moon roof assembly (visibility)

NHTSA 22V267000 Reported April 20, 2022 61,221 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

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.
Head restraint (seats)

NHTSA 21V156000 Reported March 10, 2021 258 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5 xDrive45e, 2021 X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i, and XB7 vehicles. The head restraints on the second-row outer seats may be the incorrect type for the vehicle.

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 service at 1-800-525-7417.
Software (back over prevention) and camera (back over prevention)

NHTSA 21V096000 Reported February 19, 2021 13,858 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

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.
Critical fasteners (service brakes) and disc (service brakes)

NHTSA 21V089000 Reported February 18, 2021 9 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i and X5 xDrive40i vehicles. The right front brake disc may have been assembled with incorrect fasteners, which over time, could result in the front brake disc becoming loose.

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 are no owner vehicles affected; therefore,…
Hydraulic (service brakes) and service brakes, hydraulic

NHTSA 21V062000 Reported February 10, 2021 893 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

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.
Column (steering)

NHTSA 21V031000 Reported January 29, 2021 21 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5M, X5 xDrive45e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i vehicles. The steering column shaft's universal joint connection may not have been tightened to specifications, and can become loose.

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, and bolt will be…
12v/24v/48v battery (electrical system)

NHTSA 20V761000 Reported December 9, 2020 812 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The connection between the 48-Volt battery and the…

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 begin April 12, 2021.…
Suspension: control arm

NHTSA 20V678000 Reported November 4, 2020 83 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

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.
Traction battery (electrical system)

NHTSA 20V601000 Reported September 30, 2020 4,509 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.

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 their vehicles. Drivers are…
Headlights (exterior lighting)

NHTSA 20V528000 Reported September 1, 2020 307 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

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.
Traction battery (electrical system) and 12v/24v/48v battery (electrical system)

NHTSA 20V490000 Reported August 18, 2020 713 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330e and X5 xDrive45e, 2020-2021 X3 xDrive30e, and 2020 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. Loose welding beads may form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells which could lead to a short-circuit.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery modules, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 16, 2020. Although potentially affected BMW owners…
Tires

NHTSA 20V483000 Reported August 14, 2020 42 vehicles potentially affected BMW of North America, LLC

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X6 (sDrive40i, xDrive40i and M50i) and X5 (sDrive40i, xDrive40i and M50i) vehicles equipped with certain Pirelli tires. The tires may have a damaged inner layer, possibly resulting in a rapid loss of pressure while the vehicle is moving.

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 cars remedied. Owner notification letters…

108 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2021 BMW X5 have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA; 9 describe a crash and 3 describe a fire. Reports cite 7 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 35,731 miles. Complaints peaked in 2026 with 29 filed that year.

Most-reported components

Electrical system36
Power train28
Engine25
Unknown or other18
Air bags7
Engine and engine cooling7
Back over prevention: rearview system braking6
Service brakes5

What owners are reporting

“Problem with starter. They don’t start from first time, sometimes from 2-3. As I’m check it in forums, it can burn another parts and make fire. As i now bmw x5 from 2019 to 2024 have problem with star”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 28, 2026 · Power train

“My 2021 BMW X5 xDrive40i intermittently fails to start, occurring on approximately 80% of start attempts, and displays the message "Repeat Start Attempt." This has been confirmed by code reading to be”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 23, 2026 · Power train

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2021 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, Premium and Electricity
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 2021 BMW X5

How do I know if my 2021 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. 12 campaigns currently list the 2021 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 20V483000).

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.