2019 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 2019 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
- Electrical7228.9%
- Engine6425.7%
- Powertrain (other)208.0%
- Steering187.2%
- Driver assistance187.2%
- Brakes135.2%
- Airbags124.8%
- Seat belts72.8%
- Body & structure62.4%
- Fuel system52.0%
- Exterior lighting52.0%
- Visibility41.6%
- Interior & seats31.2%
- Suspension20.8%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I purchased a BMW X5 on August 5. Several weeks later, I kept noticing rubber pieces coming out of the engine so I lifted the hood and saw disconnected hoses, fraying, holes, extremely worn engine parts and pink wrapping around one metal hose. Two weeks ago a safety recall notice popped up on my infotainment screen. It said it was about the engine starter and when scrolling down to the additional information said that if the engine starts fire to exit the cabin if it fills with smoke. I put my Vin number into your website and my car pulled up. I read about the safety recall and it stated from September 2025. The car was currently not being driven due to the safety recall and the disconnected hoses but also the starter is making a clicking noise and electrical has flashed different buttons near the gearshift or the cupholders. I do have a video of the flashing lights in the sound of the starter. This is tied to an ongoing investigation with the CFPB and my bank. I have been stranded here for almost 7 weeks waiting for my bank or to retain an attorney because I have no idea what to do as this safety recall and disconnected houses in the engine on top of a tire pressure malfunction sensor a rear restraint pop-up so I'm hoping for an attorney to help me with every issue from identity and selling of a vehicle that is unsafe and unfit for the road. I am disabled and on a fixed income so I'm unable to do much especially with my dog and needing to. Stay near the car to move it every so often in order to not have it towed.
COMPONENT / FAULT CATEGORY: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM / POWER TRAIN / BLIND SPOT WARNING SUMMARY OF THE DEFECT: On April 11, 2026, my 2019 BMW X5 suffered a sudden electronic system shutdown at highway speeds near the 210 exit, stranding the car on the roadway and requiring AAA towing. BMW of Ontario falsely blamed "liquid damage" in the GSW shifter and texted an inflated quote of $6,616.05, later reduced to $3,616.05 on Invoice #BFCS684959 before waiving fees for oil changing and so on due to communication errors. NO liquid spill occurred. The GSW module near cup holders suffers from an unsealed design defect where ambient condensation causes total drive power loss. DETAILED INCIDENT NARRATIVE: The center console in the BMW X5 (G05) lacks basic liquid/moisture isolation. Condensation or ambient humidity short-circuits critical shifting electronics, causing immediate loss of drive power on public roadways and creating an extreme crash risk. This incident is part of a clear pattern of systemic electrical vulnerabilities on this specific vehicle: 1. STARTER SAFETY RECALL & HIGHWAY SHUTDOWN: Last year, this vehicle suffered a sudden highway shutdown caused by a faulty starter. BMW failed to send a recall notice beforehand. After I was forced to pay out-of-pocket for emergency repairs at Coast BMW, BMW later recognized the recall and issued a full reimbursement this year. 2. BLIND SPOT WARNING SYSTEM FAILURE: The vehicle also suffered an unexplained, premature failure of the Blind Spot Warning system (quoted at over $3,000 to repair and left unaddressed), proving broader electronic/sensor vulnerabilities. Furthermore, dealership handling involved deceptive, erratic quotes ($6,616.05 texted initially vs. $3,616.05 on the invoice) to shift financial liability for a latent design defect onto the consumer.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I purchased a BMW X5 on August 5. Several weeks later, I kept noticing rubber pieces coming out of the engine so I lifted the hood and saw disconnected hoses, fraying, holes, extremely worn engine parts and pink wrapping around one metal hose. Two weeks ago a safety recall notice popped up on my infotainment screen. It said it was about the engine starter and when scrolling down to the additional information said that if the engine starts fire to exit the cabin if it fills with smoke. I put my Vin number into your website and my car pulled up. I read about the safety recall and it stated from September 2025. The car was currently not being driven due to the safety recall and the disconnected hoses but also the starter is making a clicking noise and electrical has flashed different buttons near the gearshift or the cupholders. I do have a video of the flashing lights in the sound of the starter. This is tied to an ongoing investigation with the CFPB and my bank. I have been stranded here for almost 7 weeks waiting for my bank or to retain an attorney because I have no idea what to do as this safety recall and disconnected houses in the engine on top of a tire pressure malfunction sensor a rear restraint pop-up so I'm hoping for an attorney to help me with every issue from identity and selling of a vehicle that is unsafe and unfit for the road. I am disabled and on a fixed income so I'm unable to do much especially with my dog and needing to. Stay near the car to move it every so often in order to not have it towed.
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X5. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the "Emergency SOS Malfunction" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the engine oil pump and TCB module were faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The vehicle experiences repeated jerking and shuddering from the driveline during low-speed cornering, acceleration from a stop, and under light-to-medium loads. No warning lights or Check Control messages appear. This matches the symptoms described in BMW Service Information Bulletin 27 02 20 regarding the xDrive transfer case on my vehicle. In November 2025, the authorized BMW dealer confirmed the concern, performed a transfer case oil change as the first diagnostic step required by the bulletin, and advised that if the problem returned the transfer case would need replacement. The oil change did not resolve the issue. The same symptoms have persisted. After being driven for about 8,000 miles, vehicle is currently back at the same dealer - BMW of Escondido - in order to address the issue. The manufacturer has directed the dealer to repeat the oil change yet again, although this oil is a lifetime fill and not subject to scheduled maintenance, and conduct an evaluation drive of approximately 200 miles before deciding whether to replace the transfer case.
My transfer case is in bad condition. Initially I was getting really bad jerking in my car when turning. I was recommended by BMW of [XXX] to do a fluid flush. I have spent money to do this flush. Starting of August my mechanic as well as other mechanics that my transfer case is in really bad condition and is making really bad noises. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
While driving in the city, I came across a red light. When the light turned green, my car's engine shut off and the power steering turned off (unable to turn). The screen remained on but I could not start the car. This has only happened in the city when I am driving at a speed of up to 15 miles/hr. under comfort mode with the auto/stop feature on. This happened about 5 times on different dates where my car shut off but the screen was on. My car shut down in the middle of traffic, causing more traffic and an unsafe situation. Since then, I have turned off the auto/stop feature and have not yet encountered the problem again.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X5. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse the vehicle out of their driveway, the contact's grandson was almost run over because the center display and rearview camera did not work in such a large vehicle. The contact stated by having this failure it causes for all the safety features to be disabled and all side mirror lights. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000.
Dear Sir/Madam, I am experiencing an issue with my BMW vehicle whereby, approximately 5 to 10 minutes after beginning to drive, the Driver Assistance System becomes disabled. As a result, both the Blind Spot Detection and Lane Departure Warning functions are deactivated, and a warning message indicating that driver assistance support is restricted appears on the display. I understand that BMW has previously issued Service Action B66 20 19, which recommends replacement of the KAFAS (Camera-Based Driver Assistance System) under certain conditions. Based on my research, the symptoms affecting my vehicle appear to be consistent with those described in that service action. However, when I checked my vehicle information, I was unable to find any open recall or service campaign associated with this issue. While driver assistance technologies are intended to supplement, rather than replace, attentive driving, these systems are nonetheless important safety features that contribute significantly to vehicle safety. A malfunction that causes these features to become unavailable during operation may increase safety risks for drivers and other road users. I would appreciate your guidance regarding the most appropriate course of action to resolve this issue. Specifically, I would like to know whether my vehicle may qualify for repair under the referenced service action or whether BMW can provide additional diagnostic or corrective measures. Thank you for your time and assistance. I look forward to your response.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2019 BMW X5 suffered an identical failure to the 2023-2025 recalls to replace the entire integrated brake system unit at only 31,117 miles. The part # was 34-51-5-A7C-589. The repair work was performed by BMW of Ocala at a cost of $4,134.37 on 8/3/2024. Because this component matches the technical architecture of the widespread 2024 integrated Brake Module recalls, I believe BMW should reimburse the total cost of this repair.
* Intelligent Braking system. * yes it is available for inspection * I was inches from colliding with the vehicle in front of me when my car finally stopped. * Yes local official BMW dealership inspected and diagnosed the IBS module is defective. * there was no prior warning.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Frequent Passenger Restraint System Issue
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Frequent Passenger Restraint System Issue
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
While driving down the Long Island Expressway at around 60 miles per hour, the retractable part of my panoramic sun roof shattered. It felt like an explosion. Luckily, the sunroof and cloth cover was fully extended so the glass didn't fall in the car. The traffic was light, no one in front of me and wasn't driving under any structure. There were no construction or debris on the road. It's clearly a manufacturer defect. Thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Emergency call malfunction light came on. System is an important vehicle safety features. Vehicle taken to dealership for inspection. No visual damage present on vehicle however water ingress from roof shark fin is causing damage to electrical components, TCB and emergency call function. Shark fin antenna cover determined to be causing water ingress after inspection by BMW dealership. Per their recommendation, further water ingress could damage additional electrical components, some critical and therefore immediate need to replace TCB, Aerial antenna, and emergency battery. Vehicle warranty not covering this type of issue. Cost of repair estimated at $2500.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The engine warning system came on and warned of low oil pressure. Knowing the oil level was good I stopped the vehicle to check oil leaks. Found none. Knowing engine mechanics I assumed it was a faulty oil pump. had it towed to BMW and told it was so. The replacement would be $8,000. Found out after lengthy research that the oil pump of the 2019 X5 (which I have) was made with plastic internal parts that would be a matter of when not if, the plastic parts would fail because the acidic nature of used oil. Presented this info to BMW and they lowered the price to $3986.16. Then I discovered BMW knew about the problem and changed the oil pump design from 2020 on.
The electronic oil level sensor was unable to complete an oil level measurement on the iDrive screen. Diagnostic inspection at a BMW Dealership (Mt. Kiso) and EuroTech Auto Repair (Larchmont, NY) revealed that the oil pump had degraded internally, specifically due to failure of plastic components. All Sensors were working fine and showed no faults. This failure could not be detected by regular maintenance and posed a risk to engine reliability and potential sudden loss of lubrication. The car had approx 55,000 miles, was purchased purchased after my 3-year lease (original owner of new vehicle), and the incident occurred during normal use. There were no warning lights or symptoms before the oil measurement stopped working. This defect appears to be a design/materials issue affecting other similar vehicles. The failed oil pump has been replaced at my expense. I am concerned this part presents a broader safety and reliability risk and should be considered for recall.
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
I noticed one of my daytime running lights on the driver’s side laser headlight had turned yellow, instead of white like the others. I took the vehicle to the dealership and they said that the LED module that powers that daytime running light has overheated and caused the light tube to burn and melt. The dealership advised that the passenger side is also slowly starting to do the same thing. The repair the dealership recommended is to replace both headlights, at a cost of almost $18k! I’ve seen numerous BMWs on the roads with this same issue, and this should be addressed by BMW as a design flaw. If these modules are burning plastic pieces inside the housing, they could start a fire if they get hot enough.
Factory seal on headlight assembly weakens causing headlamp to retain water
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
Around June 10th, I was on vacation when I noticed my AC was not very cold in this vehicle, which I had purchased used about a month earlier. I took it to get recharged while on my vacation, and it blew nice and cold until a few days ago. After doing a little digging, it appears that the 2019 and 2020 model year of the BMW X5 G05 have an evaporator core made of aluminum, and the refrigerant used (R1234yf) is known to be corrosive to aluminum, causing leaks in the core. While this is widely talked about in online forums amongst those who have experienced this issue, it appears no safety recalls have been made about this issue. The problems, as I see it, are two fold: 1> Without a working AC system, the vehicle cannot safely defrost the windows when conditions are favorable for frost or fogginess. 2> The health hazards of inhaling leaked refrigerant, along with it's by-products (like trifluoroacetic acid) do not need to be explained. Refrigerants are known to be dangerous both to human health as well as to the environment, so this is not an acceptable environment to be exposed to. While I have not had an accident caused by this, I believe preventative steps should be taken to prevent them from occuring, given this is a fairly common problem with the 2019/2020 model year of this vehicle.
The AC evaporator failed due to a known manufacturing defect common across the BMW G-chassis platform (G05, G07, G30). This has created two severe safety hazards: The refrigerant leak causes the windshield to fog up instantly and unexpectedly while driving, completely obstructing my visibility and nearly causing an accident. Chemical fumes and oil from the leaking evaporator are entering the cabin through the vents, causing dizziness and respiratory irritation for the occupants. BMW is aware of this systemic issue through numerous owner reports and petitions but refuses to issue a recall or provide assistance. This is a critical component failure that directly impacts vehicle safety and occupant health.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
Frequent Passenger Restraint System Issue
Driver seat is ripped at the base interior The seat frame is not mounted to the base.
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
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.
I AM WRITING TO ASK FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN MY MATTER OF MY 2019 BMW X5 I40 SUV, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY HAS BEEN REPAIRED 6 TIMES FOR NUMEROUS ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, ELECTRICAL, AND SUSPENSION FAILURES SERVICED AT 3 DIFFERENT BMW COLORADO DEALERSHIPS. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH LEASE JUNE 2019, AND CONTINUOUSLY REPORTED & EXPERIENCED FAILURES/ISSUES BY OWNER, NUMEROUS PASSENGERS, INCLUDING MULTIPLE BMW SERVICE MANAGERS: ENGINE BUTTONS NOT TURNING OFF THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY, OR NOT TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL POWER. AFTER HIGH ACCELERATION ON A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE ENGINE WOULD TERMINATE AND THEREBY HAVING TO QUICKLY PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO PARK TO RESTART THE ENGINE, THIS HAD TO BE DONE RAPIDLY DUE TO HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WOULD REPEAT ISSUE ON RURAL ROADWAY STOPS, BUT NOT AS OFTEN ON INTERSTATE ABOVE 60MPH. GPS HAD SOFTWARE MALFUNCTIONS AFTER BEING REPAIRED 2X FOR ELECTRICAL STABILITY ISSUES THIS CONTINUED TO MALFUNCTION THEN CORRECTED AT AN ALTERNATIVE BMW DEALERSHIP. SIDE ASSIST ALERTS AND NOTIFICATIONS WERE CONTINUING TO FAIL AFTER 4-5 ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY. KEY FAB WOULD FAIL TO COMMUNICATE AND FAIL TO LOCK VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX BY BMW. VEHICLE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING WOULD NOT MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY WITH VARIOUS COMPONENT RESPONSE FOR BACK DOORS, TRUNK/TAILGATE FAILURE TO RESPOND MOST IMPORTANTLY VEHICLE POWER OVERALL. FINALLY, THE VEHICLE HAS SUSPENSION ISSUES, STILL A CONCERN THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE NUMEROUS TIMES UNDER BMW REPAIR SHOPS BEING LIFTED BY PRESSURIZED COMPONENTS; OR WHEN IT WAS INITIALLY DELIVERED OFF THE TRUCK FROM MANUFACTURER TO DEALERSHIP? THE VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE & HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE PURCHASED. THIS IS CONSIDERED A LEMON PER THE COLORADO LEMON LAWS, IN ADDITION PER THE NUMEROUS BMW SERVICE MANAGERS WHO HAVE REPAIRED THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE.
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 .