Total Complaints
27 filings
BMW X5 SAV · model year
27 NHTSA complaints, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2010BMWX5 SAV carries 27 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2010 X5 SAV is engine with 8 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (4) and air bags (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2010 X5 SAV. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
27 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 8 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 4 |
| AIR BAGS | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| STEERING | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
BMW is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 X5 xDrive 35d SAV diesel vehicles manufactured September 1, 2008, through November 15, 2012. The engine belt idler pulley bolt could loosen and break over time.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
BMW is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 X5 SAV vehicles, manufactured September 12, 2006, through March 18, 2010 and equipped with an 8-cylinder engine. The brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil into the hose. The contamination could result in a loss of power assist br
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons,
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi);
THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD AN OPEN RECALL 18V-336 SINCE MAY OF 2018 . THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO PROVIDE A REMEDY TO CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN WILL A REMEDY BE PROVIDED? IT SEEM ALMOST A YEAR WOULD BE ENOUGH TIME TO FIX THIS DEFECT .
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.
Mileage: 122,440
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.
Mileage: 122,440
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.
Mileage: 122,440
REPAIRING THE TWIN-TURBO IN MY CAR AGAIN IN LESS THAN A YEAR. LAST YEAR THE HOSES WERE ALL REPLACED THIS YEAR THE DEALER SAYS ONE OF THE TWO TURBO UNITS IN THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (SMALLER ONE). THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING IT DID LAST YEAR LOSING POWER AND MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC. IF I AM AT A LIGHT, IT TAKES ABOUT HALF A BLOCK FOR IT TO ACCELERATE TO NORMAL SPEED. I ENDED UP HAVING THE CARE TOWED TO THE BMW DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THE TURBO HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM IN THE X5D. THE CAR IS JUST UNDER 85,000 ORIGINAL MILES AND SINCE I PURCHASED TWO YEARS AGO, HAVE LOGGED LESS THAN 20,000 MILES. .
Mileage: 84,000
REPAIRING THE TWIN-TURBO IN MY CAR AGAIN IN LESS THAN A YEAR. LAST YEAR THE HOSES WERE ALL REPLACED THIS YEAR THE DEALER SAYS ONE OF THE TWO TURBO UNITS IN THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (SMALLER ONE). THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING IT DID LAST YEAR LOSING POWER AND MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC. IF I AM AT A LIGHT, IT TAKES ABOUT HALF A BLOCK FOR IT TO ACCELERATE TO NORMAL SPEED. I ENDED UP HAVING THE CARE TOWED TO THE BMW DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THE TURBO HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM IN THE X5D. THE CAR IS JUST UNDER 85,000 ORIGINAL MILES AND SINCE I PURCHASED TWO YEARS AGO, HAVE LOGGED LESS THAN 20,000 MILES. .
Mileage: 84,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (CRITZ BMW OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/11/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL THROTTLE ALSO MALFUNCTIONED. UPDATED 08/23/2017*JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (CRITZ BMW OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/11/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL THROTTLE ALSO MALFUNCTIONED. UPDATED 08/23/2017*JS
TAKATA RECALL AS STATED IN THE NOTICE, "IF THE MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED OR IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY RECALL FOR YOUR VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER...FILE AN ONLINE COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA." THE RECALL IS COMING UP ON A ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY. ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION IS NOT AVAILABLE, AND NOW HAVE A TEENAGE DRIVER WITH LEARNER'S PERMIT, INCREASING ODDS/RISK OF ACCIDENT. WHILE NOT "TECHNICALLY" IN THE FIRST ZONE PRIORITY, NORTH CAROLINA'S CLIMATE IS ONE OF HIGH TEMPERATURES AND HUMIDITY FOR A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE YEAR, AND THE VEHICLE DOES SPEND TIME AT THE COAST. DEALER WAS CONTACT IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIPT OF NOTICE IN FEBRUARY 2015, AND SEVERAL ADDITIONAL TIMES. DEALER RESPONSE IS THAT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE OR THE VEHICLE VIN HAS NOT BEEN SELECTED FOR REPLACEMENT YET. *TR
Mileage: 85,000
A KNOWN DEFECT OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT PARTITION/SEAL CAUSED OUTSIDE WATER TO ENTER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE WATER DRIPS AND ACCUMULATES OVER THE LAST FUEL INJECTORS, LEADING TO AN EVENTUAL SHORT. WHEN THE SHORT OCCURS, THE VEHICLE LOOSES ALL POWER. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF PREVENTING ACCELERATION, POWER STEERING NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL, POWER BRAKES NO LONGER ASSISTED. THE SHORT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED. FORTUNATELY, TRAFFIC WAS MINIMAL AND OTHER VEHICLES WERE ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND DRIVE AROUND MY VEHICLE, PREVENTING A COLLISION. *TR
Mileage: 66,000
A KNOWN DEFECT OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT PARTITION/SEAL CAUSED OUTSIDE WATER TO ENTER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE WATER DRIPS AND ACCUMULATES OVER THE LAST FUEL INJECTORS, LEADING TO AN EVENTUAL SHORT. WHEN THE SHORT OCCURS, THE VEHICLE LOOSES ALL POWER. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF PREVENTING ACCELERATION, POWER STEERING NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL, POWER BRAKES NO LONGER ASSISTED. THE SHORT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED. FORTUNATELY, TRAFFIC WAS MINIMAL AND OTHER VEHICLES WERE ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND DRIVE AROUND MY VEHICLE, PREVENTING A COLLISION. *TR
Mileage: 66,000
I AM THE OWNER OF THE BMW X5 2010 WITH SPORT SEAT, I HARDLY SEAT ANY PASSENGER IN THERE, AND A COUPLE MONTHS AGO THE PASSENGER SEAT TRIGGER THE SCREEN TO SHOW MESSAGE OF RESTRAIN AIRBAG ERROR ON SCREEN, HOWEVER I THOUGH THIS HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE AIRBAG RECALL, I DIAGNOSE MY CAR WITH MY MECHANIC, THE CONCLUSION WAS THE "SEAT MAT SENSOR PASSENGER DEFECTIVE", THIS CAR AS YOUR RECALL AT THE BOTTON SHOWS THAT WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL WITH THIS TYPE OF SEAT "SPORT" SAME AS I HAVE, I CALL BMW, THEY SAID MY CAR IS NOT AFFECTED AND THEY CAN NOT HONOR THIS RECALL, I HOPE YOU GET MORE ISSUES SIMILAR SO YOUR AGENCY LOOKS INTO THIS. REPORT RECEIPT DATE: NOV 12, 2013 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 COMPONENT(S): AIR BAGS POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 76,565 MANUFACTURER: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
I AM THE OWNER OF THE BMW X5 2010 WITH SPORT SEAT, I HARDLY SEAT ANY PASSENGER IN THERE, AND A COUPLE MONTHS AGO THE PASSENGER SEAT TRIGGER THE SCREEN TO SHOW MESSAGE OF RESTRAIN AIRBAG ERROR ON SCREEN, HOWEVER I THOUGH THIS HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE AIRBAG RECALL, I DIAGNOSE MY CAR WITH MY MECHANIC, THE CONCLUSION WAS THE "SEAT MAT SENSOR PASSENGER DEFECTIVE", THIS CAR AS YOUR RECALL AT THE BOTTON SHOWS THAT WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL WITH THIS TYPE OF SEAT "SPORT" SAME AS I HAVE, I CALL BMW, THEY SAID MY CAR IS NOT AFFECTED AND THEY CAN NOT HONOR THIS RECALL, I HOPE YOU GET MORE ISSUES SIMILAR SO YOUR AGENCY LOOKS INTO THIS. REPORT RECEIPT DATE: NOV 12, 2013 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 COMPONENT(S): AIR BAGS POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 76,565 MANUFACTURER: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
TAKATA INFLATORS/AIR BAGS - EXCEPT FOR RECEIVING A COUPLE GENERIC LETTERS ABOUT THE RECALL ABSOLUTELY NOTHING SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TO EXPEDIENTLY RESOLVE THE ISSUE. SEEMS LIKE LAWYERS HAVE DONE THE PAPERWORK TO COMPLY WITH RECALL BUT THE PROCESS IS IN STALL MODE NOW AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE? IT WOULD BE NICE IF THERE WAS SOME ACCOUNTABILITY TO MAKE SOME PROGRESS AND THE CONSUMERS ARE BEING INFORMED AND PROVIDED SOME ACTUAL PROOF THIS RECALL IS GOING TO BE FIXED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME. GIVEN THAT MOST CARS LAST 10 YEARS TYPICALLY BEFORE GETTING NEW ONE, HOW LONG IS IT REASONABLE TO WAIT? I CAN TELL YOU IF BMW DOES NOT TAKE ACTION AND RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THIS RECALL SOON ... IT WILL BE MY LAST BMW I PURCHASE NEW OR USED. IT JUST LOOKS LIKE A TOTAL LACK OF CONCERN, LACK OF ACTION, LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY.
Mileage: 150,000
I HAD THE FUEL HEATER REPLACED AND BATTERY ON MY BMW X5-35D A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AT CONSIDERABLE COST. THE ENGINE WAS ALSO THROWING THE FUEL HEATER ACTIVATION CODE. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF THE REPAIR. I HAVE RECENTLY LEARNED OF RECALL 13V-339 THAT COVERS THIS PART FOR THIS EXACT REASON WITH A BUILD DATE WINDOW MERE WEEKS FROM THE BUILD DATE OF MY VEHICLE. THE BUILD DATE RANGE ON THIS RECALL IS JUNE 13, 2009- NOVEMBER 9, 2009. THE BUILD DATE FOR MY VIN IS LISTED AS DECEMBER 2009. BMW DID NOT COVER DESPITE THE PROXIMITY OF THE BUILD DATE AND THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I CAN SEE THAT THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA.DOT.GOV WEBSITE FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR VEHICLES WITH A DECEMBER 2009 BUILD DATE'
Mileage: 80,000
THE FUEL FILTER HEATER WAS RECALLED (RECALL NO. 13V-339). WE HAD TO HAVE OUR FUEL FILTER HEATER REPLACED AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS FOR VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 6/2009 - 11/2009 AND OUR CAR WAS PRODUCED IN 12/2009. WE HAD OUR FUEL FILTER HEATER REPLACED BECAUSE WE HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND WHEN WE TOOK TO DEALER WE WERE TOLD THAT WE NEEDED A NEW FUEL FILTER HEATER, THEREFORE WE FEEL WE ARE INTITLLED TO THE RECALL.
WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 100 KM / H WHEN THREE HIGH POP ARRIVAL. WENT OUT TO EDGE. THERE WAS OIL ON THE ROAD. I GOT A TOW TRUCK AND MOVED THE CAR TO THE WORKSHOP. IT FOUND THAT OUT THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD GIVEN HIM. IT ENTERED AND BROKE THE OIL PAN OF THE MACHINE. I'VE SEEN MANY POSTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT MY CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. BUT I SEE MANY BMW OWNERS AROUND THE WORLD HAVE RECEIVED THIS REPAIR OF BMW. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR.
Mileage: 62,000
BMW X5 DIESEL. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A WEEK. BMW WILL NOT REPLACE A PART THAT WAS PART OF A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME. SCR METERING VALVE - SERVICE ACTION: REPLACE THE SELECTIVE CATALYST REDUCTION (SCR) METERING UNIT. SI B18 04 12 EXHAUST SYSTEMS
Mileage: 79,000
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY BMW X5 HAS LOST ENGINE POWER ON THE HIGHWAY. IT HAS HAPPENED AFTER DRIVING A FEW HOURS. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM LIGHT WENT ON. OUR CAR HAS NOW BEEN AT THE FRESNO BMW DEALERSHIP FOR ONE MONTH. NOTHING HAS BEEN FIXED AND WE ARE NOT GETTING ANY INFORMATION FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Mileage: 36,000
2010 BMW X5 DIESEL SERVICE DATE SERVICE ISSUE 7/5/10 PROGRAMMING CONTROL UNITS REPLACING CHARGE-AIR TEMPERATURE SENSOR 7/24/12 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 10/10/12 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON - CAR FAILED SUNOCO EMISSIONS INSPECTION 3X. BROUGHT THE CAR TO BMW TO FIGURE OUT WHY. BMW STERLING PASSED IT. NO REASON ANSWER PROVIDED FOR EMISSIONS FAILURE 1/11/13 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON 2/5/13 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON 8/21/13 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON 11/28/14 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON 1/28/15 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON SERVICE BULLETINS AND VOLUNTARY RECALLS: ONE IN PARTICULAR: SI B18 05 12 EXHAUST SYSTEMS NHTSA ACTION NUMBER 10045284 AND 10054008. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER SB'S THAT RELATE, AS WELL. EGR, SCR CATS, O2 SENSORS, AIRFLOW,CHARGE AIR TEMP, INTAKE TEMP SENSOR, SOFTWARE, ETC, ETC...ALL OF IT CENTERS AROUND THE CONTROL AND BALANCE OF EMISSIONS CONTROL. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN IGNORED BY BMW, FOR FAR TOO LONG. JAN. 2014 REPAIRS: 1. PERFORM CARBON CLEANING AND
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.