2021 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.

The front driveshaft universal joint failed causing the drive shaft to bust a hole in the engine and crack the transmission. There was no knocking noise prior to failure. It suddenly failed, disengaged and caused damage. I was told by service manager the u-bolt must have been defective to have failed without warning.

NHTSA ID

11756576

Incident

Aug 6, 2026

The drivetrain warning light came on shortly after I started the vehicle. I noticed acceleration issues both while driving on side streets and on the freeway. I took the X5 45e into the repair center the day after the notice came on especially given the experience on the freeway, which happened during rush hour traffic. Upon inspection, I was told the starter was beginning to fail and that while there had been a recall on starters on many other BMW models, it did not include the X5 45e. BMW advised I replace the starter immediately due to safety, which cost $2,600. Two weeks later, the same drivetrain light has come on and the X5 is back at the service center for diagnosis.

NHTSA ID

11755801

Incident

Jul 23, 2026

Auto Start/Stop button needs to be pressed three times to start the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11754934

Incident

Jun 15, 2026

Water is leaking from the microphone housing directly above the driver’s seat during normal operation. The water drips onto the driver’s head and into the roof‑mounted electronic components. This creates a safety hazard due to potential electrical shorting, distraction while driving, and possible malfunction of overhead electronics. The vehicle has only 63,000 miles, and I purchased the extended warranty. BMW denied warranty coverage and classified the issue as “wear and tear,” despite the fact that water intrusion into interior electronics is a potential design or assembly defect involving the panoramic roof drainage or sealing system. BMW North America told me the dealership would have a 50% goodwill authorization documented for the repair, but the dealership had **no record** of any goodwill coverage when I picked up my vehicle. Additionally, I was charged **$308 for one hour of diagnostic time**, of this issue and this diagnostic fee does **not** apply toward the repair cost. This is concerning and unfair business practice. I have owned multiple vehicles with sunroofs exceeding 150,000 miles and have never experienced water intrusion of any kind. This appears to be a defect that poses a safety risk and may affect other BMW X5 vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11753036

Incident

Jul 1, 2026

I am reporting a front differential/front drive axle failure and a separate steering wheel/steering column adjustment issue. The vehicle was brought to an independent BMW/German repair shop for a routine oil change/inspection. The shop advised me that the front differential/front drive axle assembly had failed or was severely damaged and needed repair/replacement. The vehicle/component is currently at the shop and should be available for inspection upon request. I am concerned this could put my safety and others at risk because the front differential is part of the AWD drivetrain. If it fails further while driving, it could affect drivability, traction, or vehicle control, especially at speed or in poor road conditions. The issue has been confirmed by an independent service center. To my knowledge, it has not yet been inspected by BMW, police, insurance, or government reps. A third-party warranty inspector may inspect it before repair. The exact cause is UNKNOWN. I was told BMW appears aware of this issue because the replacement part has a newer/superseded part number. This suggests BMW may have revised or updated the original part. I do not know if BMW has formally acknowledged a defect, but I am concerned this may be a broader issue given the low mileage. Separately, the power-adjustable steering wheel/steering column sometimes makes a grinding/vibrating noise when I start the vehicle and the wheel automatically moves out/down into the driving position. There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages. The exact date it first appeared is UNKNOWN, but it has occurred more than once. I previously raised this type of issue with a BMW dealer and was told it was a known issue. The exact cause is UNKNOWN. I am concerned it could involve the steering column adjustment mechanism or related components. I am reporting both issues because the vehicle is low mileage and I am concerned they may be safety-related defects rather than isolated maintenance items.

NHTSA ID

11749496

Incident

Jul 9, 2026

I am having issues with the starter motor / battery. I have read extensively about issues with BMW X5 models having recalls during the production period of my vehicle. BMW is trying to charge $3,000 for a new starter and battery. I feel that this is a known and significant issue with BMW X5 vehicles produced during the same period as my vehicle and would like for this to be covered under recall.

NHTSA ID

11746875

Incident

Jun 25, 2026

The vehicle's HVAC system failed due to a leaking air conditioning evaporator core. This single component handles both cabin cooling and the windshield defrost/defog function, so its failure compromises a safety-critical visibility system in addition to climate control. The failed component is available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: The vehicle is operated primarily in Florida, where ambient temperatures regularly exceed 95°F and interior cabin temperatures without functioning AC can exceed 130°F. Operating a vehicle in these conditions causes driver fatigue, reduced reaction time, and heat-related illness — all of which compromise safe vehicle operation. Loss of the defrost/defog function also creates a visibility hazard in the humid and rainy conditions common to the region. Vulnerable passengers including children and elderly riders are at additional risk of heat-related illness. Confirmation: The failure was diagnosed and confirmed by an authorized BMW dealer service department as a leaking evaporator core requiring complete dashboard removal to repair, with a quoted repair cost in the multiple thousands of dollars. Inspection: The vehicle has been inspected by the dealer only. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. Warning indicators: No warning lamps or dashboard messages appeared prior to the failure. The first symptom was sudden loss of cabin cooling from the AC system. Critical context: This failure occurred at only 12,500 miles on a five-year-old vehicle that has been driven an average of approximately 2,500 miles per year. AC evaporator cores are not wear items and should not fail under any reasonable use conditions at this mileage. This is a widely documented defect pattern affecting 2019–2026 BMW G-series vehicles (X5, X6, X7, and Alpina XB7). Numerous owners across multiple model years have reported identical premature pinhole evaporator leaks at low mileage. The leading technical analysis attri

NHTSA ID

11740008

Incident

May 20, 2026

The vehicle’s rear differential has developed significant internal "play" (excessive clearance between gears). This defect manifests as abnormal vibration and inconsistent power delivery to the wheels. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized BMW Technician at Passport BMW . Although I reported hitting a curb (low-speed impact), the official diagnostic report from the BMW Technician explicitly stated that the curb impact did not cause the differential failure. The technician identified the issue as a failure of the internal differential components, which is consistent with numerous reports of drivetrain defects in the B MW X5. Despite the vehicle being well under the 50,000-mile warranty threshold and the technician’s own finding that external damage was not the cause, BMW is currently refusing to honor the warranty repair for this critical mechanical component. I purchased the vehicle in March 2025 Certified Pre owned.

NHTSA ID

11738996

Incident

Apr 26, 2026

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.

In the affected vehicles, an incorrect screwlocking device (circled) may have been usedfor the mounting bolts of the door latch locks.

The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.

A check control message (CCM) for the restraint system (Air bag) appears. In the instrument cluster, the redair bag warning light lights up permanently. One of the following fault codes is stored in the ACSM (air bag control unit): 930949 - Knee airbag, driver: Short circuit to negative terminal 93094F - Knee airbag, front passenger: Short circuit to negative terminal 93094C - Knee airbag driver's side: Resistance too great 930952 - Knee airbag, front passenger: Resistance too great

The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.

The center console and front cup holder get noticeably too warm to the touch on long journeys with the interior "Heating on".