2022 BMW X5 Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2022 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transfer case fluid needed to be replaced three separate times. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed again and determined that the transfer case fluid needed to be replaced. The transfer case fluid was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

NHTSA ID

11756295

Incident

Aug 11, 2025

Mileage

38,000 mi

The high-voltage battery system (this is a plug-in hybrid) began intermittently displaying a "battery not properly charging" warning approximately 6 months ago; the issue would resolve after plugging in and charging. On July 14, 2026, while driving, the vehicle displayed a "critical battery failure - pull over immediately and drive slowly" warning. The driver pulled over and shut off the vehicle; the warning cleared and the car appeared to drive normally afterward. This warning recurred several times over the following weeks under the same pattern. On August 6, 2026, the same critical battery failure warning appeared while driving; this time steering feel and drivetrain response were abnormal, and the air conditioning and several electronic features stopped working. Our safety, and the safety of other drivers on the road, was put at risk by the sudden loss of full vehicle control while in motion. The vehicle has been at an authorized BMW dealership for inspection since August 7, 2026; a full diagnosis is pending. Dealer service staff independently remarked that two other BMW X-series plug-in hybrids came in that same morning with the identical warning and symptoms, suggesting this may be a widespread component defect rather than an isolated issue.

NHTSA ID

11755843

Incident

Aug 6, 2026

Over the last approximately 20,000 miles or so I've noticed a studder/shaking of the vehicle when turning and/or accelerating at slow speeds, in particular, while the car is cold (not warmed up). I change the transfer case fluid about 5,000 miles ago and the problem did not resolve. I now see that there is a class action lawsuit against BMW for known failure of the transfer case. I would like my problem noted for the record and hopefully action by BMW.

NHTSA ID

11755185

Incident

Aug 1, 2024

I own a 2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e that has developed a drivetrain shudder during slow-speed, tight turns while lightly accelerating, such as when maneuvering in parking lots or making U-turns. The vibration is consistently reproducible under these conditions and is felt through the vehicle during the turn. The vehicle otherwise drives normally at higher speeds. After researching the issue, I found that many other owners have reported substantially similar symptoms involving the transfer case on BMW xDrive vehicles. My independent BMW repair shop has recommended a transfer case fluid service as the first corrective action based on the known nature of this problem. I am having that service performed and will retain all repair documentation. I am submitting this complaint because this appears to be a recurring issue affecting multiple vehicles. If the condition worsens, it could lead to drivetrain binding during low-speed maneuvers and may affect safe vehicle operation. I request that NHTSA investigate whether this is a broader defect requiring manufacturer action. I will update this complaint if the repair does not resolve the condition or if additional diagnosis identifies an internal transfer case failure.

NHTSA ID

11755151

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

1. What component/system failed, and is it available for inspection? The HVAC (heating/ventilation/air-conditioning) system — specifically the A/C evaporator and its condensate drainage — in my 2022 BMW X5 (G05). It emits a recurring musty/vinegar-like odor, consistent with microbial contamination on the evaporator. The system remains installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. 2. How was safety put at risk? The odor indicates mold/microbial growth in the cabin air supply, which is a respiratory air-quality concern for the driver and passengers . A strong odor on start-up is also a distraction that draws my attention away from driving . BMW's own bulletin attributes the odor to microbial contamination on the evaporator. 3. Reproduced/confirmed by a dealer or service center? I recently scheduled a service for next Wednesday. 4. Inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance, or others? Not yet escalated to BMW corporate (no PUMA/TSARA technical case opened). Not inspected by police or insurance. 5. Warning lamps/messages/symptoms, and when they first appeared? No warning lamp or dashboard message is associated with this condition [true — odor triggers no telltale]. The symptom is the odor itself: a musty/vinegar smell fro

NHTSA ID

11752075

Incident

Jun 28, 2026

On July 8, 2026, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled while I was driving in the middle lane on the I-95 highway, creating a safety concern. There was complete loss of engine power and low power to steering. The vehicle had to be towed to BMW of Peabody, Massachusetts. The vehicle had 30850 miles during the incident. During the inspection at service centre, I was informed that the safety fuse box and 12V auxiliary battery had failed which stalled the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11749966

Incident

Jul 8, 2026

I took my 2022 BMW X5 xDrive 45e for concerns of shuddering at low speeds and tight turns under warranty. No warning messages on dashboard. I asked specifically what was causing the shuddering. BMW of Raleigh would not respond. But they found that the Transfer Case was affected so they flushed the oil and put an oil mixture replacement in. According to the most recent BMW service bulletin, the technician is only to put in DTF oil. The technician not only put in DTF oil but also an over-the-counter non-approved chemical additive. Reading the service bulletin, the Transfer Case is supposed to have a lifetime warranty. We were charged over $500 for this "oil change", but it was under warranty. Transfer Case failures can result in accidents on highways and other roadways and complete mechanical failure of vehicle.. The oil change did not fix the Transfer Case issue but extended out the vehicle so that it now falls out of warranty. A TC replacement will cost $10,000 or more out of pocket. TC issues is a known BMW issue since 2018. Lawsuit has begun w/thousands of plaintiffs all over USA w/ 2019-2025 BMWs because they refuse to acknowledge that they are at fault even though they continue to put out bulletins for this exact issue. BMW has made sure that Transfer Case is not on any warranty they offer.

NHTSA ID

11746659

Incident

Jun 6, 2026

Electronic Shifter goes out when exposed to moisture.. We had the vehicle detailed and it will not move after apparently some moisture got into the shift know that is located next to cup holders.. BMW will not warranty the part and acknowledge it is an issue.. Luckily we have an extended warranty that is covering the 2500.00 part

NHTSA ID

11742257

Incident

May 6, 2026

I am writing to you as a loyal BMW owner to formally lodge a serious complaint regarding a technical safety failure in my BMW X5 and the subsequent dismissive treatment I received at an authorized service center in New York. The Incident Recently, while reversing, the Driving Assistance and Parking Assistant systems failed without warning. As a result, the vehicle collided with an object, causing damage to the rear bumper. This was not a result of driver negligence, but a direct failure of the safety technology that I trusted to protect my family. Service Center Negligence Upon visiting the service center to address this life-threatening defect, I was met with unacceptable indifference. The service advisor flatly refused to investigate the system failure, stating they would only perform a standard NYC Inspection. I was given a follow-up appointment for May 5th—forcing me to wait weeks to address a critical safety defect. Safety Concerns & Demand for Replacement As a father [XXX], I no longer feel safe operating this vehicle. The integrity of the safety modules has been compromised, and my confidence in this specific car is completely shattered. Repairing a bumper does not fix a failed safety system that could have caused a much more serious accident.And when I provide all of this evidence to BMW North America they Lay to me and asked me to take my vehicle without resolving the problem and the doesn’t care about my family safety INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11742057

Incident

Sep 15, 2025

The electric A/C compressor on my 2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e (VIN [XXX] ) failed internally at approximately 59,000 miles, causing metal debris to circulate throughout the refrigerant system. The failed compressor and contaminated components are at BMW of Sterling (Sterling, VA) and available for inspection. This is a safety concern because the A/C refrigerant circuit provides thermal management for the high-voltage hybrid battery. BMW of Sterling's service advisor confirmed in writing that the A/C system is "a critical component of your vehicle's HV system," that there is no independent backup cooling system, and that the failure "can cause potential high voltage battery failures." Without active cooling, the HV battery is at risk of overheating, which could result in a thermal event. The failure was diagnosed and confirmed by BMW of Sterling. They categorized the repair as "EHV: FULLY ELECTRIC OR HYBRID VEHICLE DRIVETRAIN DIAGNOSTICS" with the complaint "HIGH VOLTAGE SYSTEM ERROR." The repair estimate is $11,356.59 and requires replacement of the compressor, condenser, all expansion valves, and a double system flush. BMW Service Information Bulletin SI B64 09 21 documents this exact failure pattern for the G05 X5 xDrive45e, and BMW created a dedicated repair kit (part 64 50 5 A5B 590) for it. This is my second major HV component failure. A battery cell replacement was performed under warranty in 2025. Both failures were confirmed by the dealership to be component defects unrelated to owner use. Prior to complete failure, a fan noise was present in the front driver's area for a period of time before it stopped, consistent with the compressor degrading before failing entirely. A high voltage system error was displayed. BMW NA (case #XXX) has declined warranty coverage despite the vehicle being within the 8-year/80,000-mile HV battery warranty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11729200

Incident

Feb 16, 2026

I was driving my 2022 BMW X5 on the highway at approximately 78 mph when the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly applied the brakes without any obstruction or vehicle in front of me. A warning appeared instructing me to release the brakes while driving. This created a dangerous situation and could have caused a rear-end collision. The vehicle has approximately 34,000 miles. This appears to be a malfunction of the automatic emergency braking system. This happened on 2 seperate occasions.

NHTSA ID

11728841

Incident

Mar 31, 2026

The front Continental PremiumContact 6 tires, size 275/35ZR22, DOT [XXX] , developed abnormal and premature tread/shoulder failure. The condition included splitting, tearing, separation along the shoulder area, and exposed internal cords. I first raised concerns about the tire condition at about 20,000 miles. An alignment was performed at 20,142 miles, but the condition later worsened. One of the front tires deteriorated while the vehicle was being driven, creating a serious safety risk. The condition was documented with photographs and dashcam evidence. The vehicle was not safely drivable on the affected tire. The full set was later replaced based on BMW’s recommendation, at a cost of $2,358.75. A warranty/defect claim was submitted through the BMW / Dealer Tire / Continental process, but I did not receive a clear manufacturer-level inspection explanation or meaningful response. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11726969

Incident

Aug 7, 2023

Mileage

46,959 mi

Front Differential failed at 51,000 miles

NHTSA ID

11726407

Incident

Mar 1, 2026

While driving, the vehicle displayed a 'Drivetrain malfunction' warning on the dashboard and began jerking. I safely pulled over and turned off the vehicle. Immediately after stopping, there was a distinct, strong electrical burning smell coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized BMW dealership. The dealer diagnosed a catastrophic failure of the starter motor. The vehicle's computer logged fault codes 21611A (excessive counter-torque), 21A511 (Start system: Timeout), and 216119 (Line disconnection). These codes confirm the starter motor suffered a severe electrical overload and thermal event. This premature failure and fire hazard identically matches the safety risks outlined in BMW's recent massive starter motor recalls (such as NHTSA Recalls 25V-636 and 26V-056), but my specific vehicle is currently excluded from those recall campaigns. The starter requires complete replacement due to this overheating damage

NHTSA ID

11721325

Incident

Feb 19, 2026

I am writing to formally express my concern regarding serious and repeated safety-related failures with my 2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e, VIN [XXX] . I purchased this vehicle in 2022 through a custom build, at a purchase price exceeding $80,000, with the expectation of reliability, safety, and premium quality consistent with the BMW brand. In October 2025, while my wife was driving with my son in the vehicle, the hybrid component safety box failed without warning, causing the vehicle to stall on the roadway. This created a dangerous situation for my family. The vehicle was towed to the dealership, repaired, and returned to me on November 4, 2025. Unfortunately, on February 3, 2026, a second serious incident occurred. After my wife picked up my son from school, the vehicle began jerking violently while driving, and a strong sulphur-like odor entered the cabin. Fearing for their safety, she immediately stopped driving. The vehicle was again towed to BMW of Jackson. I was informed today by the service advisor that the failure is due to another hybrid-related component, specifically the EME Hybrid Inverter, and that BMW North America is declining to cover this repair under warranty. These repeated hybrid system failures are deeply concerning, particularly given that both incidents involved my wife and children and posed clear safety risks. As a result, both of my children are now fearful of riding in the vehicle, and this situation has caused significant emotional distress to my family. Given the nature of these failures, the vehicle’s purchase price, and BMW’s emphasis on safety and engineering excellence, I find it unacceptable that a critical hybrid component failure would not be covered under warranty—especially following a prior hybrid system failure less than four months earlier. I am requesting that BMW North America review this matter promptly and provide a reasonable resolution, including warranty coverage for the EME Hybrid Inverter repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA

NHTSA ID

11716132

Incident

Feb 3, 2026

Windshield cracks with slightest chip Happened twice

NHTSA ID

11709532

Incident

Oct 22, 2025

During a trip out of town, I saw a warning light that informed me that the engine coolant level was low and that scalding could occur. The next morning, my husband checked the coolant levels and added coolant to the reservoir. Later that day, I received the same warning message. The vehicle was leaking coolant and could not sustain the appropriate levels. We brought the vehicle to the local BMW dealership and was told that the coolant pump had broken from the inside and would need to be replaced.

NHTSA ID

11707720

Incident

Dec 29, 2025

I was driving the car on the middle lane on Northern State Parkway (Long Island, NY) West bound about 55mph. Near exit 26 suddenly my car was automatically moving towards to the right, steering wheel and brake were not working, car was completely out of control, it crossed the right lane and went out of the highway and suddenly stuck in the bushes and stopped. Luckily, there was no car on the right lane at that time. I did not hit anyone and no car hit me. Call automatically went to the police from my car. In short time police came and I came out of the car and found that left rear wheel broke from axel. I do regular service in BMW service center. This year I took to Rallye BMW service center one time in April and one time in August and I did complete servicing as their recommendation. My car is in Rallye BMW for over one and half month but I did not get any information from BMW what happened to my car. I called several times but from service center Mr. Anthony is telling that from BMW corporate one came yet to do inspection.

NHTSA ID

11706977

Incident

Oct 30, 2025

Electrical-soy covered wires causes rodents to chew wires causing electrical defaults and faulty control. Windshield - Minor chips causing massive cracks - happened twice in a 2 week time frame. After it was replaced. Cracked again

NHTSA ID

11706187

Incident

Oct 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2022 BMW X5. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine service. The contact stated that during the inspection of the vehicle, the dealer discovered that the water pump was beginning to leak coolant onto electrical circuits, inside the engine compartment. The dealer recommended the water pump replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System), however, the vehicle model year was not part of the original VIN selection. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.

NHTSA ID

11704563

Incident

Dec 11, 2025

Mileage

21,000 mi

Like numerous other BMW owners, my transfer case is failing in my vehicle. It’s actively causing jerking/shuddering/locking up at low speeds and while making turns. This poses a significant danger to the driver and passengers in the vehicle, and other drivers as well while turning or trying to merge with traffic. I’ve brought the car into the dealer had the transfer case fluid changed according to the service bulletin that exists for this problem but it persists. I’ve brought the vehicle back into the dealer and told that now BMW suggests paying for another fluid change. This is obviously a known problem (thus the service bulletin), it’s persisted with models like mine for over 5 years, had cost numerous owners significant amounts of monies out of pocket, and poses a safety risk given the transfer case is a foundational component of these vehicles’ drive trains. Finally it’s a problem BMW openly admits they caused with improper fluid in the component. I believe the above meets all criteria for a formal recall that BMW should cover (or reimburse) the costs for given their negligence and the risks it poses. Can you confirm why this hasn’t risen to a formal recall? And confirm the steps you’re actively taking to elevate this to that status with BMW?

NHTSA ID

11697310

Incident

Nov 3, 2025

My lane keep assist shuts off every time I drive the vehicle. I reported this in February and was told it was just due to the weather (snow). I brought the vehicle back in a few weeks later to the same dealership and was told there’s something in the steering wheel that needs replaced and they needed to order it. They never called me back to tell me the part was in and did not reply to my inquiries. I took the car to a different dealership in August and again asked them to fix the lane assist. They again told me there was something called an agitator in the steering wheel and would need to see if they had any in stock or would order. After almost 3 weeks of being in the shop when I picked it up the assist shut off again 5 minutes down the road. I reported to BMW North America and did nothing about it. The GM from the original dealership emailed me to ask if I was satisfied with their service and reported the issues, no response. Nobody seems to be willing or able to fix this safety feature I have paid extra money to have.

NHTSA ID

11696957

Incident

Feb 1, 2025

When fully extended, the seatbelt will occasionally twist or fold as it is being retracted, sometimes causing the belt to be stuck or jammed in the retractor and rendering the seatbelt inoperable and in need of repair. BMW considers this an issue caused by "outside influence" (not a manufacturer defect) that is not covered under warranty repair, even if this issue occurs during normal operation of the seatbelt.

NHTSA ID

11695356

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

Sudden loss of power. Vehicle warning after starting stating power supply issue even after a brand new battery from the dealership. 3 similar incidents in a month. During the final incident the vehicle was again towed to the dealership where it’s been there for over a week and power supply issues persist. They are changing the whole high voltage box due to some unfixable errors.

NHTSA ID

11676845

Incident

Jul 19, 2025

Car has premature failure from the AC system. My system started to fail between 40-50k miles. Both the AC compressor and condenser failed causing metal pieces to be in the system. If not fixed, those metal shavings will cause failure in other electrical systems including the HV battery.

NHTSA ID

11659962

Incident

Apr 18, 2025