2019 BMW X5 Powertrain (other) Problems

I am writing regarding my BMW X5 xDrive40i, model year 2019. For this G05 model coded cars, repeated transfer case failures have been reported due to a known issue: on the factory they put a wrong oil in it and then published a Technical Bulletin about it as if they are not the ones responsible for that. The problem is, due to that mistake, transfer cases of cars manufactured between 2018-2020 becomes dead in time. Cars shudders, jerking at low speeds, cannot deliver the power to the ground effectively due to intermittent and very disturbing, powerful shudders. This creates a huge safety concern cause: 1) if you are on an intersection the car might not join safely to the traffic in a perceived timing due to the shudders, intermittent power delivery. 2) If you are on a driveway and moving to the street the car might not move to the street for the perceived timing or once moved cannot move safely to join the traffic. 3) If there is a failure on the transfer case and if there is a sudden stop is needed. On the road with no shoulder access or if this is a bridge where there is no shoulder, it creates a huge risk to safely move the vehicle. An unavoidable sudden stop can create a huge accident risk for everybody. This is a very known and very common problem for BMW cars equipped with B58TU engine especially years 2018-2020. BMW is also definitely aware of that and this safety concern but instead of fixing it they moved away their responsibility as if they are not the ones made the mistake. But, when contacted with BMW NA, they refused to help.

NHTSA ID

11741002

Incident

Mar 9, 2024

My daughter was driving my BMW X5, it went to neutral and not moving, she was panicked and stopped the car and ignition. After restarting the car, it worked for a day, then it happened again, also, I see notifications on dashboard for restraint warning, saying, airbag, and seat belt tension are reduced. I took to Fairfax BMW in VA, BMW quoted $2662, informed that my BMW went out of extended warranty over a month, I asked Goodwill request to BMW, still declined.

NHTSA ID

11733217

Incident

Apr 14, 2026

Transfer case on 2019 X5,yes available for inspection upon request. At stop position making right turn or left turn the vehicle jutters,also in reverse. Yes - confirmed by the bmw service center who tried to charge for diagnostic fee. Manufacturer knows of issue on 2019 X5 models. Video of these transfer case issues all over online in videos. Issue started about 6 - 9 months ago.

NHTSA ID

11705716

Incident

Dec 17, 2025

I am reporting a serious safety defect involving the oil pump assembly on my 2019 BMW X5 xDrive40i. While driving at low speed in normal conditions, a sudden dashboard warning appeared stating: “Engine oil pressure too low — stop carefully.” I immediately pulled over and shut off the engine. My vehicle had been serviced by an authorized BMW dealership less than one week earlier, and no faults or issues were identified. There were no warning signs or symptoms prior to the failure. An independent licensed repair facility inspected the vehicle after the incident and confirmed that the oil pump had failed due to a defective plastic internal component used in the pump’s design. The failed parts are available for inspection upon request. This failure created a significant safety risk, as sudden loss of oil pressure can cause engine seizure, loss of power steering, loss of braking assist, and an inability to safely control the vehicle. Had this occurred at highway speeds, the consequences could have been severe. I have since learned that this exact issue has been reported by other owners of 2019 BMW X5 vehicles and other BMW models using the B58 engine, which were equipped with an oil pump containing plastic internal drive components prone to cracking or separating. BMW appears to have updated the oil pump design to a metal version in 2020 and later models, suggesting the manufacturer was aware of the weakness of the earlier design. The defect was confirmed by an independent service center. The vehicle had also been inspected by BMW one week prior during scheduled service, yet no issues were detected. Because this failure presents a clear safety hazard and appears to be related to a widespread design flaw, I respectfully request that NHTSA open an investigation into the oil pump used in 2019 BMW X5 vehicles and consider issuing a safety recall.

NHTSA ID

11703212

Incident

Dec 2, 2025

while stopped in traffic on a freeway in fast lane, the vehicle was in the "stop/go" mode. When I pressed the accelerator, the engine failed to start. On multiple attempts engine would not start and I could smell electrical burn. The CHP was on site and we attempted to push the car to the side and out of the fast lane. However, since the engine would not start, there was no way to shift the car into Neutral gear. This is a design flaw and could lead a serious injury of fatality if the drive is stuck on the freeway and unable to move car. Even with Tow Truck, the car had to be dragged onto the truck bed. This is related to recall no. 25V-644. The recall should be elevated to "critical" status.

NHTSA ID

11702459

Incident

Jun 11, 2024

Failed components 1. oil pump $8769.41 2. Cylinder Head Assembly- Valve Cover $4280.83 3. center console control panel $3051.93 4. transfer case replacement TBD 2019 BMW X5 xDrive40i has multiple major component failures at 70,000 miles. Oil pump failed causing loss of oil-level monitoring. The cylinder head assembly was diagnosed with oil consumption, the transfer case exhibited driveline shuddering, and the center console control panel developed internal electrical faults that affect vital vehicle components. All have been diagnosed by BMW of North Haven, CT. The oil pump and transfer case failures have created potential loss of engine lubrication and vehicle control putting my safety at risk. The oil-level test aborts at 16% making it impossible to verify oil quantity or pressure while driving. The shuddering occurs during low-speed turns and acceleration. BMW North America reviewed my case and approved goodwill coverage for transfer-case fluid change ALL other safety-related repairs have been denied. Supporting BMW Service Bulletins: •SIB 27 02 20: Jerking or Shuddering from Driveline xDrive Transfer Case ATX13-X (faulty factory oil specification). •SIB 11 03 17: N20/N26 Engine Timing Chain and Oil-Pump Drive Chain Warranty Extension (pattern of oil-pump failures in prior engines). •SIB B01 13 23: Front Center Console Cupholder Liquid Ingress (electrical faults from liquid intrusion in 2019–2022 G05 X5). •SIB 65 12 22: Roof-Mounted Antenna Housing Seal Not Adhering (water ingress from shark-fin antenna affecting interior electronics). Note: I paid out of pocket to replace and reprogram theTelematics Communication Box (TCB) due to faulty seal around shark fin. A class action lawsuit is currently in happening for this exact issue in California. These issues are not normal wear and tear. They represent premature mechanical and electrical failures on a well-maintained vehicle as well as posing a safety risk to me and other drivers.

NHTSA ID

11696693

Incident

Aug 20, 2025

MY STARTER MOTOR OVERHEATED AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START AND MY CAR INDICATED THE FLUIDS AND COMPONENTS WERE OVERHEATED - MY DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM WITH A VIDEO THEY SENT ME. IF I WAS STILL DRIVING THE CAR, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ME MY DAUGHTER AND HUSBAND IN THE VEHICLE. i CALLED MY SERVICE REP AND THE DEALERSHIP IS LOOKING INTO IT AS MY VIN DOES NOT HAVE THE RECALL. NOTHING WAS WRONG AND NO LIGHTS WERE ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE CAR NOT STARTING. I HAD BEEN DRIVING IT FOR ABOUT 25 MINUTES. In MAY of this year, not even 6 months ago, they had to replace a "heat management module", which cost me $2500 and they said it is not related. They found 8 fault codes at a frequency of 255. The dealership is telling me this is not related, but I have a hard time believing that.

NHTSA ID

11693522

Incident

Oct 13, 2025

I purchased a used BMW from a local dealership, unaware that the vehicle had unresolved safety and mechanical issues. Over time, I began experiencing repeated problems including: •Power loss and hesitation while driving •Malfunctioning engine and drivetrain components •Electrical system glitches including dashboard warnings that would disappear before I could document them The car has been in and out of shops for diagnostics, and no lasting fix has been found. These defects have created safety concerns for me and my children, as I transport them daily. The vehicle feels unsafe to operate. I believe I may have been sold a lemon and am now pursuing legal remedies, including this formal safety complaint to report the issue.

NHTSA ID

11671458

Incident

Jul 6, 2025

vehicle has been vibrating at low speeds when turning or when backing up. Took vehicle to BMW dealership (BMW of Nashville in Franklin, TN) multiple times during the past 18 months without resolution. On my visit for the same issue this month, dealership finally recognized the issue and said there was a BMW bulletin out about the issue SIB 27 02 20. It is very frustrating that 1. The dealership kept stalling and despite test driving the car with me and feeling the vibration, they kept blaming tires or saying it was normal while the bulletin about the issues was generated in 05.20.2020 2. It cost me over $627 for them to change the transfer case oil to diagnose and repair the issue. I am still in the testing phase after the transfer case oil change as the vehicle needs to be driven 300+ miles. The dealership and BMW should issue a recall since it is a know issue that the wrong oil was used in the manufacturing process and reimburse the cost charged for diagnostic and transfer case oil replacement. The vehicle is furthermore still under warranty so I should not be paying anything for diagnostics or repairs.

NHTSA ID

11655405

Incident

Mar 20, 2025

Starter: The vehicle did not start at 44,000 miles. The local repair shop replaced a new starter for $1,100

NHTSA ID

11634344

Incident

Mar 28, 2024

BMW jerking and shuttering sensation and rough grinding noise when driving at low speed 2-5 mph and while turning at 2-5 mph. Safety was put at risk with while turning with oncoming traffic and when vehicles directly behind me. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by the BMW dealership service department. The service department change the left tire and replaced the transfer oil on 5/10/23. This did not solve the problem. The vehicle was returned to dealership for same reason on 7/19/24 and the dealership replaced the right tire. The problem still exists. The vehicle has been not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representative. No warning lamps or messages appear to diagnose the problem.

NHTSA ID

11618255

Incident

May 10, 2023

Reference recall No. 24V-576, I believe the issue reported in the recall is related to the 'Auto Start' feature of the vehicle. As a result of this failure, the safety issue can be much serious than what is stated in recall. In addition to the electrical overload of the starter, leading to risk of fire, the vehicle will not start, unable to shift out of Park therefore, potential of stranding the vehicle and the passengers in the middle of the road. The following occurred on [XXX]. at 2:30pm, we( my wife, 2 daughters and I) were traveling [XXX] in Tracy, in the fast lane in our 2019 X5. Auto Start feature was active, when I pressed on the gas pedal, engine suddenly turned off. The car would not start. There was no warning or any error message. We were stuck in the middle of the fast lane in heavy traffic and cars were passing on the both sides, making it impossible to be even get out and walk to safety. I tried to restart the car multiple times with success. We felt in danger of being struck by another vehicle. Luckily, the CHP was a few minutes behind us and stopped to help us. We tried to put the vehicle in Neutral so it can be pushed out to the side and not block traffic. I called the East Bay BMW and the Road Assistance for help with putting the vehicle in Neutral but I was told it can’t be done. The CHP (2 officers) and I tried to put the car in neutral but without any success. I with EastBay BMW and was told that noting can be done to put the vehicle in Neutral. The only way to shift the car in Neutral is from under the car and requires a mechanic . There was electrical burning smell coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the EastBay Dealership in Pleasanton, CA. Upon inspection, the Dealer stated the issue is due to bad battery and it caused the starter to overload as I attempted to start the car. I was told that none of it's covered by warranty and I had to pay for the repairs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 5

NHTSA ID

11618167

Incident

Jun 14, 2024

BMWUSA failed to advise me of B120524 starter recall. As a result of their failure I have incurred damages that the manufacturer is unwilling to reimburse.

NHTSA ID

11608972

Incident

Aug 15, 2024

WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ALONE AROUND 7:30PM 5/13/2021 ON THE WAY TO A RESTAURANT, AFTER I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL TO PASS ANOTHER CAR (ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 50MILE-55MILE/HR), THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN ACCELERATED ON ITSELF. I NOTICED RIGHT AWAY AFTER MY RIGHT FOOT MOVED AWAY FROM THE GAS PEDAL (FROM 50 TO 55 THEN UP TO 65MILE/HR, I STOPPED MY OBSERVATION SINCE IT WAS GETTING TOO FAST). I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL TO REDUCE THE SPEED FOR ABOUT A MILE OR TWO. AFTER I REACHED THE NEXT TRAFFIC LIGHT, I HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD TO MAKE THE CAR FULLY STOP, SO I DECIDED TO SWITCH THE TRANSMISSION FROM D TO P TO SEE IF IT COULD GET OUT OF ACCELERATION PROBLEM. ONCE I SWITCHED TO PARK, I TRIED TO SWITCH IT BACK TO DRIVE MODE, HOWEVER THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND AND STAYED IN PARKING MODE. I THEN TRIED TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND TURNED IT BACK TWO TO THREE TIMES, IT JUST DIDN'T ALLOW ME TO CHANGE BACK TO DRIVE MODE. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE CAR MADE A LOT OF NOISE SINCE IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. I REALIZED IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO SIT IN THE CAR IN FRONT OF THE TRAFFIC LIGHT EVEN WITH THE EMERGENCY LIGHT ON. SO I DECIDED TO TURN IT OFF AND LEFT THE CAR. I SMELLED A VERY STRONG BURNING SMELL EVEN THOUGH I QUICKLY MOVED AWAY FROM THE CAR. I WAITED ON THE STREET SIDE FOR ABOUT 2-3 MINUTES AND WENT BACK TO THE CAR, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO SWITCH TO D MODE AND DROVE AWAY SLOWLY. I HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM HAPPENED LAST YEAR AROUND OCTOBER FOR 3-4 TIMES (NOT AS BAD AS IT WAS TODAY, I CAN TURN ENGINE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON, IT WILL RETURN TO NORMAL) AND I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO BMW DEALERSHIP (BMW AT GWINNETT PLACE IN DULUTH GA, WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN NOV 2019) AND THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO CREATE THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN JUST TOLD ME TO DRIVE SLOWLY (25-35MILE/HR FOR THE FIRST 3-4 MIN) EVERYDAY AT THE BEGINNING. I RECORDED TWO VIDEOS AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT.

NHTSA ID

11416691

Incident

May 13, 2021

Mileage

3 mi

MY BRAND NEW BMW X 5 COULD NOT BE STOPPED ON THE TRAFFICS TIME IN AM THIS HAPPENED TWO TIMES BMW DOESN'T WANT TO HELP ME THIS CAR NOT SAFE AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE MAKES A LOTS OF MOUNDED FROM THE ENGINE AND CANNOT STOP THE CAR

NHTSA ID

11406855

Incident

Feb 23, 2021

I WAS DRIVING ON 10 FREEWAY WEST 750 AM ON 2/23 THERE WAS TRAFFICS EVERYBODY WAS BEHAVING I WAS KEEPING DISTANCE OF AT LEAST 2-3 CAR DISTANCE ALL OF SUDDEN MY CAR ACCELERATED MAKING A LOUD NOISE FROM THE HOOD MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES BUT I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR I HIT FROM CAR MY FOOT WAS ALTHE WAY ON THE BRAKES I LET IT GO AFTER THE IMPACT BMW DOESN'T NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY I HAVE A POLICE REPORT FROM ME AND FROM DRIVER THAT WE HAD A GOOD DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO CARS IT WAS AT THE BALDWIN PARK CITY ON 10 FREEWAY

NHTSA ID

11404457

Incident

Feb 23, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, "LEVELER SELECT DEFECT" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOLLOWED BY "TRANSMISSION DEFECT, DO NOT TURN VEHICLE OFF". THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE, NEUTRAL, AND REVERSE, BUT COULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO BE PLACED INTO PARK, IT AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DAVIS AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (6135 KRUSE DRIVE, SOLON, OHIO 44139, (440) 542-0600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE GEAR SHIFT AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE CORPORATE OFFICE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM BMW. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 860.

NHTSA ID

11174343

Incident

Jan 28, 2018

Mileage

860 mi