2020 BMW X5

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

While driving home vehicle began to smoke. Pulled over thinking it may be overheating, not realizing it was smoke. No warnings or messages were displayed. Parked, turned off ignition and called husband from vehicle. When smoke became overwhelming I got out of vehicle. Noticed sparks dripping from under vehicle. Called 911 as sparks became a fire. Entire engine was engulfed in flames as fire department arrived. Police arrived on scene and vehicle was towed and inspected the following day by Geico who declared vehicle a total loss.

NHTSA ID

11775900

Incident

Oct 26, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving, the ignition switch message was displayed. The contact stated that later in the day, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the brake malfunction message displayed. The contact forcefully depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was parked and turned off. The vehicle was restarted. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a brake master cylinder reservoir failure. The contact was informed that the brake master cylinder reservoir needed to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V062000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the failure was regular wear and tear. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

NHTSA ID

11768373

Incident

Sep 17, 2026

Mileage

99,000 mi

I am reporting a severe structural safety failure on my 2020 BMW X5. While driving, the front suspension assembly suffered an abrupt mechanical failure. A subsequent inspection by an independent service facility revealed that the front control arm brackets had "burst" / fractured. This exact mechanical failure perfectly mirrors NHTSA Campaign Number 20V678000 (issued for 2020–2021 BMW X5 vehicles), which states that the weld connecting the front axle support to the right front control arm bearing bracket can fail and separate, resulting in a loss of steering control. Despite suffering from the identical, dangerous structural defect outlined in the federal recall, my specific VIN was excluded from BMW's active recall campaign. I had to pay out-of-pocket for an independent repair to make the vehicle safe to drive. I have attached the itemized mechanic's receipt explicitly stating "front control arm brackets burst" as empirical evidence. I request that the NHTSA investigate whether BMW's recall scope for this weld defect needs to be expanded to include omitted VINs.

NHTSA ID

11767305

Incident

Sep 3, 2025

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11764757

Incident

Jan 4, 2026

My 2020 BMW X5 sDrive40i has experienced recurring and serious electrical, shutdown, and drivability problems that have not been resolved despite BMW service and a recall-related repair. The vehicle has unexpectedly restarted after being turned off and has also failed to shut down properly. On September 6, 2026, after being parked at Costco for approximately 40–60 minutes, I returned to find the vehicle off but not secured. The brake lights were on, the windows were down even though I had left them up, and the interior systems were operating. The radio was playing an unfamiliar station, although I do not listen to the radio. I documented this on video. Later that same day at Whole Foods, after parking, turning the vehicle off, and getting out to retrieve my dogs, the vehicle appeared to still be running. Video captured the engine running for approximately one second. I shut it off and locked it, but the vehicle then unlocked itself, also captured on video. These were two separate incidents within nine days, occurring after BMW performed a recall-related repair intended to address unexpected vehicle reactivation. In addition, the vehicle has twice shut off unexpectedly while accelerating on the freeway. These incidents, combined with the unexpected restarting, failure to shut down, windows opening, and vehicle unlocking itself, create serious safety concerns. I purchased this vehicle specifically to transport my dogs. If the vehicle can unlock itself or lower the windows while I am away, my dogs could escape or be exposed to being taken. I no longer have confidence that the vehicle will remain safely shut down and secured when I leave it. The recurring nature of these failures and the fact that they have continued after BMW’s attempted repair require a thorough investigation and permanent resolution. I am requesting that BMW review the complete history and consider repurchase or replacement if the defect cannot be permanently corrected.

NHTSA ID

11764210

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

I'm reporting a safety issue with BMW vehicles equipped with the B58TU engine, primarily 2019-2021 models. These vehicles have an oil pump with an internal plastic component that regulates oil pressure, and this part is fracturing in the field, causing sudden loss of oil pressure. The failure typically occurs during cold starts in low temperatures. When it fails, oil pressure becomes erratic or is lost entirely, often with little to no warning before engine damage or vehicle disablement. Warning signs, when present, include inability to measure oil level electronically, abnormal oil pressure, or sudden drivetrain malfunction warnings. These can rapidly progress to engine shutdown or severe damage from oil starvation. This creates a dangerous situation because the vehicle can become disabled without warning while driving or after startup. This is especially hazardous when cars become immobilized in traffic or during winter conditions when failures occur most frequently, leaving occupants exposed to freezing temperatures while awaiting assistance. Pump replacement requires extensive disassembly and commonly costs $6,000-$8,000, assuming no engine damage. A critical concern: owners cannot determine if their vehicle has the original plastic pump or the later metal revision. BMW's VIN-based parts lookup now shows updated components even when original plastic parts remain installed, and BMW has removed the original plastic part number from dealer networks entirely. Failures are reported across multiple production years, and the scope of affected vehicles remains unclear. Because this condition causes sudden vehicle disablement without adequate warning, especially in cold weather, I believe this warrants investigation as a potential safety-related defect.

NHTSA ID

11763718

Incident

Sep 10, 2026

I am reporting a safety concern involving BMW vehicles equipped with the B58 Technical Update (B58TU) engine, commonly found in model years 2019–2021. These vehicles utilize a variable-displacement engine oil pump containing an internal thermoplastic adjusting component responsible for regulating engine oil pressure. Failures have been reported in which this internal plastic component fractures, resulting in sudden loss of or instability in engine oil pressure. My own vehicle has experienced this oil pump failure. The failure is particularly concerning because it can occur during cold-start operation and appears to be more prevalent in low ambient temperatures. When the internal component fails, oil pressure regulation can become erratic or be lost entirely. The resulting loss of lubrication can lead to severe engine damage or vehicle disablement. Reported precursor symptoms include an inability to electronically measure the engine oil level, abnormal oil-pressure behavior, drivetrain malfunction warnings, and other warning messages. However, these symptoms may provide little meaningful advance warning before the vehicle becomes disabled or the engine sustains significant damage. The safety concern is not limited to the cost of the repair. A sudden loss of oil pressure can cause the vehicle to become disabled without warning while driving or shortly after startup. This presents a potential safety hazard if the vehicle loses power or becomes immobilized in active traffic. The risk is particularly concerning during cold-weather operation, when these failures appear to occur most frequently. In winter conditions, occupants of a disabled vehicle may also be exposed to freezing temperatures while waiting for roadside assistance. Replacement of the oil pump is a major repair with cost ranging $6000-8000, even when engine has not been damaged. These costs are secondary to the safety concern but demonstrate the seriousness of the defect and the potential severity.

NHTSA ID

11763291

Incident

Sep 3, 2026

I am reporting a safety concern involving BMW vehicles with the B58TU engine, model years 2019-2021. These engines use a variable-displacement oil pump with an internal thermoplastic adjusting ring that regulates oil pressure. Field failures are being reported in which this component fractures, causing sudden loss or instability of oil pressure. Owners and independent shops report catastrophic engine damage within minutes, with little or no advance warning. A sudden loss of motive power at highway speed, or an engine seizure in traffic, creates a crash risk. I have not experienced a failure. I am reporting because: 1. My vehicle falls within the affected production range. 2. Owners cannot determine whether their vehicle has the original thermoplastic pump or the later metal revision. BMW issued the revised part without changing the part number, and VIN-based parts lookups reportedly return the updated component even when the original is still installed. This deprives owners of any means of assessing their own risk. 3. BMW quietly revised the design to all-metal, indicating the manufacturer identified a durability problem, yet no recall or customer notification has been issued in the United States. 4. Out-of-warranty repair requires removal of the front subframe and eight or more hours of labor. Owners report quotes near $6,000. 5. In South Korea, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport opened a formal investigation into this same defect in XXX. BMW Korea then confirmed it is performing this repair free of charge regardless of warranty status. A foreign regulator has already found this serious enough to investigate. I request that NHTSA investigate the B58TU oil pump, determine the failure rate, and evaluate whether a safety recall is warranted. At minimum, owners should be given a reliable method of identifying which pump revision is installed in their vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11759850

Incident

Aug 26, 2026

If the manual electronic engine oil level measurement aborts or is inoperative and the vehicles I-level is lower than S18A-26-07-518, a one-time software update procedure is covered up to 10 years / 120,000 miles, as determined from the original first in-service/delivery date.

the engine oil pump assembly coveragefor the issue described in the Service Information Bulletin that addresses defects inmaterials and / or workmanship has been extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles, asdetermined from the original first in-service/delivery date

BMW Notice of the Court’s Final Approval for Shark-Fin Antenna Settlement (X3, X4, X5, X6, X7)

Rear Roof Antenna Shark Fin Cover Sealing Issue

The NVLD modules limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the vehicles original in-service / first delivery date.

The manual starting of electronic engine oil level measurement from inside the vehicle, usually afterperforming an engine oil service task, is inoperative or it may lock up at between a 15% to 30% completionrate.