RoadVitals

2007 BMW X5 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
71
Latest Jan 20, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
2
Reports on file since Jun 21, 2016

What this page shows

Our database holds 71 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2007 BMW X5. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 71 · page 1 of 3

Engine
Filed Jan 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2007 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an inspection. While the dealer was inspecting the ABS and struts, the contact was informed that the PCV valve was damaged. The ABS was repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the repair was not completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that, per their records, the recall repair was completed in 2021. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11712234
Incident
Jan 20, 2026
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Sep 26, 2025

The contact owns a 2007 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact used force to pull over to the side of the road. The messages "Active Steering Inactive" and "Change of Steering Wheel and 4WD Malfunction" were displayed. The braking system warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the foot module had failed. The foot pedal was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer three times. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an unknown failure. The cooling system was replaced. The contact related the failures to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 13V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES) and 12E029000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

NHTSA ID
11690001
Incident
Feb 13, 2025
Mileage
112,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 28, 2025

The contact owns a 2007 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the brakes delayed in responding. The failure had occurred on several occasions. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the secondary hydraulic pump needed to be replaced. The contact researched and was made aware of an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 217,000.

NHTSA ID
11657294
Incident
Oct 28, 2024
Mileage
217,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 6, 2022

The contact owns a 2007 BMW X5. The contact stated the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the passenger’s side air bag to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.

NHTSA ID
11488213
Incident
Oct 4, 2022
Mileage
149,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 4, 2022

I have water leaking out of myBMW on a regular basis. I have to put a gallon of water every time I want to drive it. The oil is constantly needing to be filled. I go through a qt a day in oil. There is oil leaking all over the ground. Not sure if the water is leaking as well.

NHTSA ID
11482833
Incident
Jun 12, 2022
Engine
Filed May 24, 2022

The contact owns a 2007 BMW X5. The contact stated while he was cleaning the vehicle, he noticed an oil leak on the valve and an unknown odor around the location. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ID
11465893
Incident
May 3, 2022
Mileage
180,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Nov 8, 2021
Crash reported2 injuries reported

Unintended acceleration with loss of braking effectiveness. We hit a tree head on going at least 50 by the time we struck it. The vehicle was inspected before we bought it and we only bought it 3 days before the accident occurred. The check engine light came on that afternoon and we were going to get it checked out on Monday.

NHTSA ID
11439687
Incident
Nov 6, 2021
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed May 18, 2021

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 ID
11417551
Incident
Mar 17, 2020
AirbagsBody & structureElectrical
Filed Dec 21, 2020

2007 X5 4.8 WITH PANORAMIC SUNROOF, SUNROOF TRAY OVERFLOWS AND LEAKS INTO INTERIOR ELECTRICAL, AIRBAGS, AND CARPET DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN/ASSEMBLY (BOTH WHEN STATIONARY AND IN MOTION). SUNROOF DRAINS BOTH FRONT AND REAR HAVE DRAIN TUBES WHICH ARE PRONE TO KINK AND BACK UP WATER INTO THE SUNROOF TRAY, WHICH THEN SPILLS OVER ONTO THE TOPSIDE OF THE HEADLINER AND FROM THERE ONTO JUST ABOUT EVERY ELECTRONIC ITEM IN THE CAR INCLUDING AIR BAGS AND CONTROLLERS, LIGHTING CONTROLS, AND ELECTRICAL BOXES ON THE FLOOR AND TRUNK AREA. SOME HAVE REPORTED ARCS AND CAR FIRES DUE TO THE WATER DAMAGE; BMW SAYS IT IS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE ALTHOUGH HAS ZERO LISTED FOR SUNROOF MAINTENANCE, AND NO AMOUNT OF CLEANING IS GOING TO FIX THE SUNROOF DRAIN LINES THAT I FOUND TWISTED...LIKELY BEEN THAT WAY SINCE INITIAL ASSEMBLY, BUT ROUTING DOWN INSIDE THE APILLARS MAKES IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GET TO TRY TO FIX IT, MUCH LESS SEE IT. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS DEFECT HASN'T INVOLVED NHTSA RECALL SINCE IT CAN VERY EASILY LEAD TO AN IN-USE ELECTRICAL FIRE AT WORST, OR AT BEST FAILURE OF AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED DUE TO WATER/CORROSION ISSUES, AS WELL AS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN ELECTRICAL DAMAGE FOR EACH OCCURRENCE.

NHTSA ID
11384448
Incident
Dec 18, 2020
Mileage
43,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 23, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP IN A TIMELY MANNER CAUSING THE BRAKING DISTANCE TO BE EXTENDED 60-70 FEET. BMW OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS (2500 SE MOBERLY LN, BENTONVILLE, AR 72712; (479) 286-3012) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,871.

NHTSA ID
11375946
Incident
Jul 1, 2020
Mileage
96,871 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 19, 2020

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, FIRST THE ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON, THEN MOST OTHER WARNING LIGHTS, THEN THE CAR WOULD LOSE ALL POWER, ENGINE WOULD STOP, CAN'T SHIFT TRANSMISSION, BASICALLY DID ON THE ROAD. HAD BATTERY REPLACED AND REGISTERED. HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AGAIN. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM HTTPS://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=888938 ONE LINK IN THERE SENT ME TO HTTPS://WWW.EBAY.COM/ITM/BMW-135I-335I-435I-535I-X4-X5-X6-ENGINE-WIRING-HARNESS-12517592511-7592511-OEM/123598545546?HASH=ITEM1CC70C228A:G:PUEAAOSWPYXCP-MK ALL HAPPENED WHEN CAR WAS IN MOTION DRIVING, TYPICALLY ON A HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID
11365128
Incident
May 18, 2020
Mileage
90,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 15, 2020

TIRE BLEW OUT. SPEED LESS THAN 10MPH. I DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING

NHTSA ID
11339565
Incident
Jul 11, 2020
Mileage
199,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 13, 2020

PASSENGER LIGHT AIRBAG CAME ON. CALLED BMW OF HARTFORD AND THEY STATED THEY HAVE NO RECALL ON AIRBAGS. I PREVIOUSLY GOT AN EMAIL THAT MY PASSENGER AIRBAG CAN EXPLODE AND MY CAR IS UP FOR RECALL

NHTSA ID
11339063
Incident
Jul 10, 2020
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Apr 24, 2020

AIR BAG LIGHT STAY ON ALL THE TIME CANT ACCESS ANYTHING ON THE DASH , SPEED DONT PICK WHENI PUSH THE GAS ONLY WHEN I PUSH THE PEDAL PUSH IT TO THE FLOOR

NHTSA ID
11322100
Incident
Mar 23, 2020
Mileage
129,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 4, 2020

MY ALARM GOES OFF WITH THE CAR RUNNING, GOES OFF IF I HIT THE LOCK BUTTON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF I HAVE TO UNPLUG THE BATTERY AND IT STILL GOES OF WITH NO POWER CONNECTION STAYS ON ABOUT 15MIN BEFORE IT COMPLETELY DIES AFTER POWER CONNECTION IS BACK IT GOES OFF AGAIN AND IS DRAINING BRAND NEW BATTERY

NHTSA ID
11320224
Incident
Feb 20, 2020
Electrical
Filed Feb 22, 2020
Fire reported

WATER LEAKING IN FRONT RIGHT FLOOR BOARD CAUSE SHORT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ALSO LEAKING IN REAR AT BATTERY AREA. DEALER HAS ADVISED THIS ALSO CAUSED THE SHORT IN THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. IF BMW HAS BEEN SUED BECAUSE OF SUN ROOFS LEAKING BEFORE. MY CAR DIED IN A RAIN STORM AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC CAUSING GREAT DANGER TO THE PASSENGERS. BMW SHOULD BE FORCED TO REPAIR THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. AND STOP ACTING LIKE THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE.

NHTSA ID
11310803
Incident
Feb 7, 2020
Mileage
142,000 mi
Filed Oct 25, 2019

AS I AM INTERRING AN INTERSECTION THE SUV WOULDN'T REALLY MOVED, I GAVE IT A LITTLE GAS IT BEGAN TO MOVE AND SUDDENLY IT JUST ACCELERATED BY IT SELF AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL, IT STILL DOES IT AFTER A COMPLETE STOP EVERY TIME IS DRIVEN. I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THERE FOR I'M NOT USING THE SUV. I'M REALLY SCARED OF DRIVING IT, CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT ACCELERATES IT'S SELF REALLY BAD.

NHTSA ID
11271024
Incident
Apr 28, 2019
Engine
Filed Jul 19, 2019

THE VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION DUE TO FAULTY VALVES AND SEALS, THE BUILDUP CAUSES SMOKE TO ESCAPE THROUGH THE HOOD, AND ENTERS THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE, THUS CAUSES DIZZINESS, AND A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. BMW NEEDS TO FIX THE ISSUE AS THEY ARE AWARE OF IT, AS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 4.8!

NHTSA ID
11233319
Incident
Jan 1, 2019
Mileage
99,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 16, 2019

COMPLAINT SENT. REAR PASSENGER TAIL LAMP BULBS HOUSING IS BURNT AND MELTED NOT ALLOWING BULB TO BE REPLACED CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD FROM FIRE AS WELL AS NOT HAVING APPROPRIATE SIGNALING. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE WITH A RECYCLED PART AND EACH HAS ARRIVED WITH THE SAME BURNT HOUSING UNIT. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE ADDITIONALLY GOOGLED PROBLEMS WITH THE TURNING SIGNAL AND THIS IS SEEN AS A CONTINUED PROBLEM WITH THESE TAIL LIGHTS. HTTP://M.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/BMW/X5/2008/LIGHTS/EXTERIOR_LIGHTING.SHTML 1. VIN #(XXXXX) AT 81683MILES (MY VEHICLE) 2. LKQ ORDER 108179700 VIN # 5UXFE83537L(XXXX) 3. LKQ ORDER 108075022 VIN #5UXFE43578L(XXXX) 4. LKQ ORDER 108268187 (ON ORDER) VIN # 5UXFE435X8L(XXXX) ANOTHER IS ORDERED AND I WILL UPDATE WITH ADDITIONAL PICTURES IF NECESSARY ONCE IT IS RECEIVED. THANK YOU. REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11232412
Incident
Jul 7, 2019
Mileage
81,600 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 6, 2019

I WAS DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED AND TRIED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP BUT MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP. BREAK PEDAL WAS PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN AND CAR WOULD NOT STOP.

NHTSA ID
11229758
Incident
Jul 2, 2019
Mileage
127 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 26, 2019

2007 BMW X5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RIGHT REAR BREAK BULB MALFUNCTION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THE ENTIRE REAR LIGHT BULB ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. 2 WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE BEING DRIVEN, DISPLAYING MULTIPLE WARNING DASHBOARD MESSAGES. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED BY FLATBED AS IT WAS LOCKED IN THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *JS

NHTSA ID
11202510
Incident
Feb 1, 2019
EngineFuel system
Filed Jan 31, 2019

THE 2008 - 2014 BMW X5 ENGINE TROUBLES ARE THE SAME ISSUES MY 2007 ENGINE ARE HAVING, YET THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR THE 2007. THERE SHOULD BE SINCE I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME TYPE OF ISSUES.

NHTSA ID
11173284
Incident
Sep 1, 2016
Brakes
Filed Aug 28, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X5. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASED EXCESSIVELY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM LINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE DUE TO THE VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY BEING REMEDIED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ID
11123085
Incident
Aug 15, 2018
Mileage
88,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 8, 2018
Fire reported

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ALL OF A SUDDEN HE COULDN'T STOP AND ALSO, CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. CALLED AND THERE'S SO RECALL IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE MY HUSBAND COULD HAVE DIED

NHTSA ID
11118569
Incident
Aug 6, 2018
Brakes
Filed Jul 31, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (BMW OF WARWICK, 1515 BALD HILL RD, WARWICK, RI 02886, (401) 515-4894), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED DUE TO THE CONTACT BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT OF THE SAME INFORMATION AS THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11114730
Incident
Jul 10, 2018

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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