2017 BMW X5 Electrical 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

No remedy for recall and no plan

NHTSA ID

11676851

Incident

Aug 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated with several unknown warning lights illuminated. In addition, the vehicle lost electrical functions. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed coolant pump. The contact was informed that the coolant pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA ID

11676273

Incident

Jul 19, 2025

Mileage

78,000 mi

Battery overheated and melted plastic cover

NHTSA ID

11664779

Incident

May 30, 2025

Radiator fan assembly malfunctioning causing engine to overheat. Upon replacing fan assembly vehicle is still overheating. Water pump and thermostat needs to be replaced as well as connectors. Mileage appr 67,000 Vehicle went into safety mode while traveling on highway

NHTSA ID

11622638

Incident

Oct 29, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated message was displayed, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

NHTSA ID

11615165

Incident

Sep 13, 2024

Mileage

62,000 mi

The contact owns a 2017 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and failed to exceed 35 MPH. During the failure, a message that the engine had overheated was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The water pump was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 55,000.

NHTSA ID

11609769

Incident

Aug 1, 2024

Mileage

55,000 mi

I brought my 2017 X5 xDrive40e to my local dealer (Ray Catena in White Plains NY) after getting a ‘Drivetrain Malfunction” Error. After several weeks at the dealer, and thousands of dollars in repairs, I’m being told today that: -The car needs a new Electric Drive… cost $12,000 -The replaced electric drive may not solve the issue, which might be the transmission.. replacement cost $16,000 So almost $30k to perhaps solve the issue on a car with a $19,000 value per Kelly Bluebook. And this is a known issue for Hybrid X5s per multiple BMW owner websites.. Here is one: https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1887640 My dealer is telling me that the value of this car is currently zero ($0.00) which I find to be absolutely ridiculous.

NHTSA ID

11531823

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

Blower motor doesn’t work and BMW Has discontinued the part. So I have to form or heat or ac flow in my car

NHTSA ID

11493786

Incident

Aug 30, 2022

My BWW X5 hybrid give me a sudden error in the middle of the road. The error was Drive train malfunction and suddenly it stopped couple of seconds after the warning. Leaving me in the middle of the road. Thankfully I was on a low traffic road, so there was no accident. It was a scary situation to be at. After that, I managed to start the car after couple of tries and pull it over to a safer place. The car was useless so I had to call my BMW dealer. To add to the bad experience the dealer took long to service my car. They are unable to find the problem and it is charging me extra $1,170 for another 8 hours of labor without any guarantees. My BMW is on excellent condition with 40k miles only. The car never alert me of any signs or warnings. This is a major failure that should not happen to any car owner in these days.

NHTSA ID

11457200

Incident

Mar 2, 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

Front passage door becomes unlocked/ not secure while driving My doors are set to auto-lock when I drive off. Today’s incident occurred when I hit a normal bump in the road. I heard a pop, which was the front passenger door unlocking. This jarred the door from the locked position to rattling in the door frame. The car’s auto lock issue is activated therefore, it’s trying to lock the door. Then car system reports a need to stop the car to prevent rolling as the doors are not secure. It Goes without saying how dangerous this is. Searchers this issue In the Internet. Seems some X5 owners reporting a issue with the door cables? Saw no recall. My car is out of warranty but this is a serious safety issue BMW should address Help! Note, this bumpis located in the parking lot entrance to my office’s garage.

NHTSA ID

11420147

Incident

Jun 8, 2021

2017 BMW X5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEM WITH THE I-DRIVE. *LD *JS

NHTSA ID

11192951

Incident

Mar 6, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SPONTANEOUSLY IN THE PRESENCE OF ELECTRIC RADIO WAVES. BMW OF PEABODY (221 ANDOVER ST, PEABODY, MA 01960, 1-(877) 530-0807) INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A SAFETY LIABILITY AND TURNED OVER THE TECHNICAL GUIDANCE TO A BMW ENGINEER. A LOANER VEHICLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE BMW MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED AND DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS TO BE TRADED FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ID

11194551

Incident

Mar 19, 2019

Mileage

111,000 mi

VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE 5 TIMES WITH ELECTRICAL ISSUES IN THE PAST YEAR. FIRST, THE AIRBAG AND SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE OCCURRED ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. NOW, FOR THE SECOND TIME A DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION HAS OCCURRED THAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD IS ALSO DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SOFTWARE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFFS WHILE IN OPERATION (IN MOTION GOING 70 MPH), PUTS ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN NO MATTER THE SPEED. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT SHUTOFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE PUTTING ME AT RISK OF CAUSING HARM TO MYSELF AND OTHERS.

NHTSA ID

11192376

Incident

Mar 28, 2019

Mileage

27,000 mi

WIFE WAS REAR ENDED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL TO VEHICLE PUSHING HER OVER TRAIN TRACKS IN THE VEHICLE WITH NO CONTROL.

NHTSA ID

11078337

Incident

Jun 17, 2017

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