2017 BMW X5 Brakes Problems

While driving, the electronic parking brake (EPB) system malfunctioned. The vehicle was stopped in DRIVE with Auto Hold active. When the driver door was opened briefly, the vehicle attempted to transition from Auto Hold to applying the electronic parking brake as a safety function. At that moment, the EPB malfunction warning appeared and the parking brake system faulted. There were no prior mechanical brake issues (no dragging brakes, no unusual noises, no brake wear symptoms). The issue appears to be an electronic/control-related failure of the EPB actuator/control unit rather than typical brake wear. A repair facility retrieved multiple diagnostic fault codes related to the electronic parking brake actuator/control unit and recommended replacement of the EPB actuator assembly followed by initialization/calibration and clearing of faults. This creates a potential safety risk because the electronic parking brake may apply unexpectedly or may not apply/release as intended during safety logic events (such as opening the driver door while stopped), potentially immobilizing the vehicle or creating a hazard in traffic or parking situations.

NHTSA ID

11712937

Incident

Jan 16, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was heavily depressed for the brakes to engage. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause for the failure was not yet determined. The dealer informed the contact that there was air in the brake lines and that the air needed to be bled from the brake lines to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact researched and was made aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11650892

Incident

Jun 26, 2024

Mileage

60,000 mi

A red light came on in my vehicle that read restraint system. Does that mean the airbags are faulty or is it with the seatbelts.

NHTSA ID

11576438

Incident

Feb 26, 2024

Brakes are squeaking and vehicle is shaking when attempting to use brakes. Takes an excessively long time to brake and I fear for the safety of my family when using vehicle with faulty brakes. Vehicle paperwork shows that the vehicle is overdue for new front/rear brakes, yet BMW doesn't want to replace them since they key reader isn't indicating that they need to be replaced.

NHTSA ID

11452218

Incident

Feb 16, 2022

Warning on screen came on suddenly while driving indicating charger system failure. While driving to the dealer for diagnosis and repair, power steering failed, then power brakes failed, then engine stopped running. Could not put vehicle in park and vehicle rolled back when foot brake was released. Car was diagnosed as alternator failure.

NHTSA ID

11435736

Incident

Aug 31, 2021

MY BMW X5 2017 HIT MY GARAGE DOOR AFTER I PUT IT IN PARK MODE. I BELIEVE THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY ITS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND THE FAILED HANDBRAKE. ON THAT NIGHT, I STOPPED MY CAR ON A SLIGHTLY INCLINED DRIVEWAY. I TURNED ON THE HANDBRAKE, PUT THE CAR IN PARK MODE, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AND THEN STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR. ABOUT 10 SECONDS LATER, THE CAR ROLLED FORWARD AND HIT MY GARAGE DOOR. IT WAS SNOWING THAT NIGHT, BUT THE SNOW WAS LESS THAN ONE INCH. THE CAR DIDN'T SLIP BECAUSE THE FOUR WHEELS ROLLED FORWARD. I TESTED IT A FEW TIMES RIGHT AFTER THE INCIDENT AND THE CAR STILL ROLLED FORWARD WITH THE HANDBRAKE ON AND AFTER SHIFTING TO P MODE. THE TRANSMISSION AND HANDBRAKE FAILED TO WORK SEVERAL TIMES ON THAT NIGHT, BUT I CANNOT RE-GENERATE THE SAME RESULT SINCE THAT NIGHT. WHEN I SEARCHED FOR SIMILAR CASES ONLINE, I FOUND THAT A BMW X5 2012 HAD THE SAME ISSUE IN 2013. BMW DENIED THAT MY CAR HAS ANY ISSUES AFTER INSPECTING IT, IT IS THE SAME RESPONSE TO THE CASE IN 2013. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE FOR PEDESTRIANS AND DRIVERS. WE NEVER KNOW WHEN THE TRANSMISSION AND HANDBRAKE WILL FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. IT HAPPENED ONCE, AND IT CAN HAPPEN AGAIN ANYTIME, ANYWHERE.

NHTSA ID

11075351

Incident

Dec 9, 2017

Mileage

13,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WITHOUT WARNING. THE DASHBOARD IT UP SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE BRAKE AND STEERING PROBLEM. HAVINING NOWHERE TO PULL OVER SAFELY; I SLOWED DOWN AND CONTINUED ON TO A SAFE LOCATION. ININTIALLY, I COULD NOT TURN IGNITION OFF. THE VEHICLE IS BRAND NEW, HAVING ONLY 385 MILES ON ODOMETER. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOOSE ALL POWER, AND BY THE TIME THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED VEHICLE REAR DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AND COULD NOT GET CAR INTO NEUTRAL. I WAS TERRIFIED WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING AND CONTINUE TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. VEHICLE IS AT BWW DEALER BEING CHECKED. AT THIS TIME I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED THE LOSS OF POWER. HOWEVER, I DRIVEN FOR 45 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD CAR LOOSE POWER CONTROLS WHILE DRIVING. WHAT IF IT HAD HAPPED AT NIGHT? DURING A WINTER STORM? AGAIN, I WAS TERRIFIED.

NHTSA ID

11043164

Incident

Nov 1, 2017

Mileage

385 mi

WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE, AT A VERY SLOW SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CAR HIT THE BUILDING BEHIND THE PARKING SPOT. NEXT DAY, WHILE PARKING AT A CONVENIENCE STORE, ALSO AT A VERY SLOW SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN AND HIT A POST. BOTH TIMES THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE FIRST TIME, I THOUGHT I HAD MADE A MISTAKE, BUT AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT I REALIZED THE BRAKES FAILED. ON THE WAY HOME, I FOUND THAT I COULD DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT WILL WHILE AT A VERY SLOW SPEED (SIMULATED PARKING SITUATION). I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY PICKED THE CAR UP FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIR. BOTH PARKING INCIDENTS CAUSED BODY DAMAGE. I AM GRATEFUL THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO OTHERS OR NO DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OTHER THAN MY CAR.

NHTSA ID

11010463

Incident

Jul 22, 2017

Mileage

1,200 mi