2009 BMW X5 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 BMW X5, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system4222.3%
- Airbags4121.8%
- Engine3619.1%
- Electrical168.5%
- Interior & seats115.9%
- Powertrain (other)105.3%
- Brakes105.3%
- Steering63.2%
- Exterior lighting52.7%
- Suspension31.6%
- Visibility21.1%
- Seat belts21.1%
- Driver assistance21.1%
- Body & structure10.5%
- Other / unspecified10.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Crank no start scanner saying it is in 3rd gear not park.
The contact’s son owns a 2009 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to veer the vehicle off the road. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump module failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was then informed by the mechanic of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V746000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was included in the NHTSA Campaign Number 16V746000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where the contact was informed that the VIN was included NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) but not the recall related to the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall and advised the contact to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Front Passenger occupant seat sensor failure warning code oc3
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V364000 (AIR BAGS) AND REPAIRED AT HILTON HEAD BMW DEALERSHIP (1230 FORDING ISLAND RD, BLUFFTON, SC 29910, (843) 815-1501) HOWEVER, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. *BF*JB
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2009 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the engine seized. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was a certified BMW mechanic, where it was diagnosed with VANOS bolts failure. The contact was informed that the VANOS bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. In addition, the contact stated that the dealer confirmed the failure and declined to perform a diagnostic test due to the age of the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.
The contact owns a 2009 BMW X5. The contact stated that after pulling into a parking space there was white smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle and the engine started overheating. The contact added coolant immediately. There were no warning lights illuminated. The failure had occurred twice. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the water pump, thermostat, and heater hoses had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the coolant had leaked out and the engine started overheating. The contact added more coolant to the coolant reservoir; however, the failure recurred 20 miles later. After parking the vehicle, the contact became aware that oil was leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle had not been returned to the mechanic. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure however, the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 230,000.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Crank no start scanner saying it is in 3rd gear not park.
The contact owns a 2009 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, smoke was suddenly coming through the air vents and vehicle started losing motive power before stalling. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the passenger’s side main wiring harness was charred and melted and needed to be replaced. The wiring harness was replaced but the failure immediately reoccurred. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
Front Passenger occupant seat sensor failure warning code oc3
PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT FAILURE.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
My vehicles serpentine belt broke twice and my A.C. belt broke once due to the tensioner pulley bolt loosening over time. I lost power steering and power of the over all vehicle. I was driving at 60 miles per hour, there has been a recall on this part for this exact same model but BMW is saying it is vin specific. This is very unsafe.
I OWN A 2009 BMW X5 DIESEL. BMW HAS RECOGNIZED AN ISSUE WITH A SENSOR IN THE SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION (SCR) ACTIVE TANK. THE TANK STORES DIESEL FLUID. DIESEL FLUID IS ADDED INTO DIESEL TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF EMISSIONS THAT IS RELEASED FROM THE VEHICLE. BMW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PART BUT IT IS UNKNOWN HOW THEY DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF THIS EXTENSION. MY VEHICLE IS OVER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BY 4 MONTHS BUT UNDER THE MILEAGE LIMIT BY 40,000 MILES. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL CALL AND NOT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH LIMITED TIME TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. I ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE THIS WITH SEAN S. AT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS BY INFORMING HIM THAT THIS IS MY COMMUTER VEHICLE AND I HAVE TO DRIVE THIS CAR EVERY DAY. I ALSO INFORMED HIM THAT IF NOT RESOLVED THIS WILL LEAD TO A LARGE AMOUNT OF POLLUTION RELEASED TO THE ENVIRONMENT. SEAN S. ACTING AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF BMW NORTH AMERICA STATED THEY ARE ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS AND THEIR BOTTOM LINE AND ONLY WILL ASSIST ME IF I'M A LOYAL CUSTOMER. THEY VIEWED ME AS NOT A SMART BUSINESS MOVE TO FIX THE ISSUE AND INDICATED THEY ARE NOT CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND OK FOR ME TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS CAR THAT IS PUTTING OUT 10X THE AMOUNT OF POLLUTION AS GAS. RESEARCHING THE INTERNET THERE ARE MANY BMW X5 OWNERS DRIVING THEIR VEHICLE WITH THIS DEFECTIVE SENSOR AND MANY USING HACKS TO TRICK THE ECU AND MANY USING ALTERNATIVE NON OEM PARTS AND FORCING A FITMENT. ALL OF THIS IS DUE TO THE LIMITED TIME BMW IS OFFERING TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND THE EXTREME COST OF THE REPAIR AT A BMW SERVICE CENTER.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2009 BMW X5. The contact stated that while approaching a stop, the vehicle would continue to accelerate upon the depression of the brake pedal. The contact also stated that the parking brake failure warning message would appear on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where they replaced both front and rear brake pads; however, the failure persisted soon after repair. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was given a second appointment. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The VIN was not available.
MY 2009 X5 WITH 127000 MILES RECENTLY INDICATED A BURNT OUT BRAKE LIGHT. WHILE REPLACING THE LIGHT, I FOUND THE REAR UPPER RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT WAS BURNT OUT, THE TAILLIGHT ITSELF IS MELTED, AND THE SOCKET IS SEVERELY MELTED AND SCORCHED. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE OPPOSITE SIDE (LEFT/DRIVER'S SIDE) WAS ALSO MELTED! CHECKING ONLINE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID THIS COULD BE A FIRE HAZARD AND WAS SURPRISED TO LEARN THERE IS NOT AN OUTSTANDING RECALL ON THE TAILLIGHTS FOR THIS VEHICLE.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The vehicle backfires and stalls on the road due to BMWs defective pcv crankcase valve. The valve put pressure inside engine which it couldn't handle causing a blown gasket and oil leak, the leak fell on the serpentine belt and AC belt and they slipped off. Causing the power steering to lock up on me while driving. The engine has a whistling noise coming from it. I'm parking and towing to bmw. I can diagnose it without there scanner. This is crazy and very dangerous.
AFTER SITTING IDLE IN THE CAR FOR 5 MINUTES I DECIDED TO DRIVE OFF, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO LOCK AND A BURNING SMELL CAME FROM THE AC, AFTER TURNING OFF THE AC THE STEERING WHEEL WORKED NORMAL BUT WHEN TURNING IT BACK ON THE SMELL CAME AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR STUCK IN PARK AND IS IN FAIL SAFE MODE ALSO WHEN TRYING TO CHARGE BATTERY WHILE IT'S DEAD IT SOUNDS LIKE THE WHOLE CAR IS CLICKING
MY 2009 X5 WITH 127000 MILES RECENTLY INDICATED A BURNT OUT BRAKE LIGHT. WHILE REPLACING THE LIGHT, I FOUND THE REAR UPPER RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT WAS BURNT OUT, THE TAILLIGHT ITSELF IS MELTED, AND THE SOCKET IS SEVERELY MELTED AND SCORCHED. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE OPPOSITE SIDE (LEFT/DRIVER'S SIDE) WAS ALSO MELTED! CHECKING ONLINE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID THIS COULD BE A FIRE HAZARD AND WAS SURPRISED TO LEARN THERE IS NOT AN OUTSTANDING RECALL ON THE TAILLIGHTS FOR THIS VEHICLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE HAVE BEEN TWO OCCASIONS THAT I HAVE CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP ON MY VEHICLE. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS THAT IT TURNS OFF SUDDENLY. I AM SO AFRAID THAT THIS MIGHT JUST HAPPEN WORST THING IS THAT THERE ARE NO LIGHT INDICATORS THAT WILL TELL YOU THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL NOISE COULD BE HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. BMW OF DENVER DOWNTOWN (1040 S COLORADO BLVD, DENVER, CO) DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,247.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
Headlight wires are made poorly. Susceptible to heat damage. The wire insulation cracks off, leaving bare copper wires to touch. Therefore, the low beams, etc will no longer function. The only solution is $3,000+ on new headlights.
THE COMPLETE WINDSHIELD WASHING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING DURING AN EXTENDED ROAD TRIP. PUMPS NO LONGER ENGAGE. BECAUSE THE WASHING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING, THIS HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE DESTRUCTION OF ALL WIPERS ON THE CAR. FAILURE OF THE WASHER PUMPS AND RELAYS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH BMWS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON IT STARTS BEEPING WITHOUT ANYONE OR ANYTHING ON THE SEAT IT'S VERY ANNOYING AND UNSAFE I WOULD IMAGINE IF I WAS TO GET INTO A CAR ACCIDENT WOULD MY AIRBAG DEPLOY OR NOT GIVING FALSE READING THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING
MY VEHICLE IS BMW X5 30I 2009 MODEL YEAR. I SUDDENLY HAD AN ERROR MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD SCREEN SAYING "PASS RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULTY". DEALER CHECKED THE PROBLEM AND STATED THAT THIS WILL NOT ENGAGE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG AND SEATBELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM IF NOT FIXED. ASKED PRICE WAS $1800 AND PAID $1500. ABSURD PRICE AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY -- ITS A SAFETY SYSTEM! I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS AN IDENTICAL NHTSA RECALL ON THE SAME ISSUE WITH OTHER BMW VEHICLES JUST ONE OR TWO YEARS BEFORE THIS MODEL YEAR. THE NHTSA RECALL CODE OF THAT RECALL IS 08V384000. I USUALLY RIDE THE CAR ALONE AND HAVE OCCASIONAL PASSENGER AND NEVER HAD ANY HEAVY LOAD ON THE SEAT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS UP TO 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY WITH NO WARNING SIGNS. WHEN VEHICLE SHUTS OFF, ALL SYSTEMS ARE COMPLETELY OFF INCLUDING POWER STEERING, ANTILOCK BRAKING, THE ENGINE ITSELF, ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, LIGHTS - EVERYTHING COMPLETELY POWERLESS. THE CAR WILL THEN NOT START FOR 10-15 MINUTES, BUT NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY NO ERRORS LOGGED IN THE COMPUTER. THE FIRST 2 TIMES THIS HAPPENED WAS ON A FREEWAY AT 60-70MPH CRUISING SPEED. NO SOUNDS OR WARNINGS THE X5 IMMEDIATELY SHUTS OFF. WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO AVOID A MAJOR ACCIDENT OR SEVERE INJURY/DEATH THIS COULD EASILY CAUSE. THIS HAPPENED 5 TIMES OVER A 14 MONTH PERIOD, EVEN AFTER 2 BMW CERTIFIED FIXES. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, WE BROUGHT IT DIRECTLY TO BMW NORTHWEST IN FIFE WA. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, TALKED WITH BMW US HEADQUARTERS - THEIR RECOMMENDATION WAS THAT WE PAY $800 TO HAVE THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM CLEANED, AND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS LIKELY DEBRIS IN THE FUEL LINES. WE CONSENTED TO THE FIX AND PAID FOR THE REPAIR. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE BACK IT HAPPENED 2 ADDITIONAL TIMES. ONCE AGAIN ON A FREEWAY GOING 60 MPH, ANOTHER TIME ON A SIDE STREET GOING 30 MPH. WE THEN TOOK IT BACK TO BMW NORTHWEST, THEY FOUND THAT THERE WERE 3 PARTS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM THAT HAD NOT BEEN 'RECALLED' BUT WERE UNDER SOME TYPE OF WARRANTY. CLAIMED IT WAS A FREE $3500+ REPAIR, WE TOOK IT HOME AFTER THE 'FIX'. 3 MONTHS LATER, THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED 1 TIME WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ABOUT 35 MPH. TOOK IT BACK TO BMW NW AGAIN, THIS TIME THEY ARE CLAIMING 3 FUEL INJECTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED (BUT THEY RECOMMEND ALL 6, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY DETERMINED NOT TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE). THEY WANT TO 'ELIMINATE' THE POSSIBILITY WITH THE SAID FIX BUT BELIEVE THAT IS LIKELY NOT THE CAUSE AND THE ROOT IS ELECTRICAL ISSUES.
WHEN LET GO OF BRAKE AFTER STOPPING AT RED LIGHT, VERY OFTEN THAT THIS VEHICLE MAKES A SUDDENT JUMP. THIS HAPPENS SO OFTEN THAT CAUSE A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS GET WATER LEAKS AND CORROSION AND WON'T WORK. THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAPPENED ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE LIGHTS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED FOR THE TPMS MONITOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT FRONT SIDE DRIVER'S SIDE RIM HAD A STRESSED CRACK THAT WAS CAUSING A DEFLATED TIRE. THE RIM AND TIRE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .