ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE
2025 BMW X5
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 61 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2025 BMW X5, most frequently naming the driver assistance, brakes and electrical categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 79 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2024 | 1 | 1 |
| Sep 2024 | 2 | 3 |
| Oct 2024 | 6 | 9 |
| Nov 2024 | 2 | 11 |
| Dec 2024 | 1 | 12 |
| Jan 2025 | 2 | 14 |
| Feb 2025 | 1 | 15 |
| Mar 2025 | 3 | 18 |
| Apr 2025 | 2 | 20 |
| May 2025 | 3 | 23 |
| Jun 2025 | 5 | 28 |
| Jul 2025 | 5 | 33 |
| Aug 2025 | 4 | 37 |
| Sep 2025 | 3 | 40 |
| Oct 2025 | 3 | 43 |
| Nov 2025 | 2 | 45 |
| Dec 2025 | 2 | 47 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 | 48 |
| Feb 2026 | 1 | 49 |
| Mar 2026 | 3 | 52 |
| Apr 2026 | 3 | 55 |
| May 2026 | 1 | 56 |
| Jul 2026 | 1 | 57 |
| Aug 2026 | 4 | 61 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Driver assistance3133.3%
- Brakes2931.2%
- Electrical88.6%
- Powertrain (other)77.5%
- Visibility44.3%
- Engine44.3%
- Steering33.2%
- Airbags22.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
5 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
I was driving my 2025 BMW X5 sDrive40i at approximately 60 mph when the vehicle in front of me stopped abruptly. I immediately applied the brake pedal firmly in an attempt to make an emergency stop. Despite applying heavy and continuous pressure to the brake pedal, the braking force felt unusually weak. The vehicle slowed gradually but continued rolling forward much farther than I expected and did not stop before I made low-speed contact with the rear of the vehicle in front of me. The vehicle did not skid, I did not feel the tires sliding, and I did not observe skid marks. My concern is that the vehicle did not provide the amount of braking force I expected despite firm emergency braking. Because BMW X5 vehicles have been subject to recalls involving the Integrated Brake system, ABS, DSC, and potentially increased stopping distance, I am reporting this incident as a possible safety-related braking defect.
- NHTSA ID
- 11760195
- Incident
- Aug 25, 2026
While the daytime running lights are on (this vehicle has front and rear daytime running lights, so when the DRL’s are on, the taillights are illuminated as well as the front daytime running lights). When the DRL’s are on, and you use a turn signal, the rear turn signals are almost invisible to the naked eye during the day time. Reason being, the DRL’s are on, so the rear tail lights are slightly illuminated. This vehicle also has a pulsating (fade on/off) turn signals in the front and rear. It’s not a sharp on/off like a typical LED. So when using the turn signal, the rear turn signals (which also act as the taillight and brake light) are very very dim and hard to see as compared to when the DRL’s are off. The photo I will provide shows the left turn signal at its brightest point, the one on top with the daytime running lights off, are very bright and visible, whereas the bottom photo (which shows the rear daytime running taillights on) also shows the left turn signal at its brightest point, and is almost indistinguishable as to whether the turn signal is flashing. Again, both have the left turn signal on at its brightest point. This is very unsafe, and applies to all 2024-2026 BMW X5’s. J would like this rectified.
- NHTSA ID
- 11759784
- Incident
- Aug 26, 2026
2025 BMW X5...warning lights appeared and voice said emergency stop... emergency stop and tried to pull me off the road. shut down the vehicle for a while... and started up. finished errands. got home. vehicle would not start in the morning. dealership said it was an issue with the braking system... electronics and dead battery . said repaired. got it back. happened again...but got it going. dealership said if it happened again... press the gas pedal and it would clear up the problem. recent issue August 18, 2026. vehicle would not start. got a jump and emergency lights again.. emergency stop. vehicle towed to dealership. was told it had faults with the brake control unit. believed to be fixed but further testing to make sure. I'm worried this will happen on highway or the vehicle is not sellable if I ever want to sell or trade it in
- NHTSA ID
- 11758309
- Incident
- Aug 18, 2026
While driving eastbound on [XXX] on XXX between approximately 9:29 and 10:21 AM, the vehicle suddenly displayed a red warning instructing the driver to “Take over braking function immediately.” At that moment, adaptive cruise control braking and automated braking assistance disengaged without warning, requiring the driver to manually brake while in traffic. This created an unexpected safety hazard for the driver, passengers, and surrounding motorists. Prior to this event, the vehicle had exhibited repeated Driver Assistance instability across multiple service visits, including inconsistent adaptive cruise control behavior, braking‑related restrictions, and GPS mislocation affecting ADAS functions. The vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer’s authorized dealer across five service visits, including replacement of the head unit and multiple software resets. The underlying malfunction has occurred repeatedly, but the specific braking alert has not been reproduced by the dealer. No crash, fire, or injury occurred. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11757153
- Incident
- Aug 14, 2026
Our 2025 BMW X5 50e was involved in an accident while slowly pulling into a parking spot at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. While turning right into the striped parking spot, the car suddenly accelerated, swiping the car parked to the right and continued on to break through a rung of the log fence barrier before manual hard braking stopped it from plunging into the canyon below. There was no audible alarm heard and apparently no emergency braking engaged to prevent impact with the other car or log fence. No airbags deployed. Emergency braking was enabled. Drive mode was Hybrid. With the grill damaged and a front sensor hanging below the damaged bumper. We are still awaiting the Park Ranger report.
- NHTSA ID
- 11753465
- Incident
- Jul 11, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 BMW X5. The contact stated while the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact's son drove the vehicle to a local gas station. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, however the vehicle had not been inspected.The tow truck driver informed the contact's son that there was a leak in the brake fluid container. In addition, the contact stated that prior to the failure occurring, the vehicle was serviced on April 30,2026 and the recall, NHTSA Campaign Number 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Hydrauli) was performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN was unavailable.
- NHTSA ID
- 11738055
- Incident
- May 14, 2026
Reduced steering effort error message. No accident or injuries. Seems to be a known issue on BMWs. Likely covered under warranty but I feel should be reported
- NHTSA ID
- 11732336
- Incident
- Apr 10, 2026
On April 15, 2026, while driving on the highway with my family in my 2025 BMW X5 (purchased new on September 25, 2025 from Principal BMW of Corpus Christi for approximately $75,000), the panoramic sunroof suddenly and violently exploded. The explosion sounded like a gunshot. Shards of glass sprayed throughout the cabin and got into our eyes. I was barely able to maintain control of the vehicle and prevent a serious accident that could have resulted in hospitalization or worse. Photos of the sunroof taken immediately after the explosion are attached to this email. These images clearly show the large shattered section, missing glass fragments, and debris inside the sunshade right after the failure. You can also see from the picture submitted from the front, the glass is pushed out from the car. This was an extremely dangerous safety failure that put my entire family at immediate risk. Because of this incident, I no longer feel safe driving the vehicle. I am now constantly on high alert, worried that the sunroof could explode again at any moment. This traumatizing experience has completely ruined my ability to enjoy what was supposed to be a luxury vehicle. Instead of the premium driving experience I paid for, I am left with fear and anxiety every time I get behind the wheel. This is not an isolated or “unheard of” incident. BMW has faced multiple reports and a class action lawsuit regarding exploding sunroofs dating back to at least 2017. Despite this known issue, when I contacted Principal BMW of Corpus Christi, the dealership claimed the problem was unheard of and showed absolutely no sense of urgency or willingness to address it properly. The service person took a quick look and told me that this incident has happened two other times within the last two months. Since the incident happened on 4/15/26 @ 6:35PM I was unable to speak to a service member.Service person told me to bring my car in for further evaluation on 4/20/26 since he’s only one working.
- NHTSA ID
- 11731981
- Incident
- Apr 15, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
Fastening Elements Return
ENGINE
This Service Bulletin provides instructions to clean the intake valves using the BMW Carbon Blaster Tool P/N 81 29 2 208 034 and the S68T / XB1T Kit P/N 83 30 5 BAD 3D5. Refer to SI B04 12 11 for existing documentation about the carbon blaster tool and SI B04 02 26 for the S68T /XB1T tool kit.
POWER TRAIN
Shaft Return
ENGINE
This Service Bulletin provides instructions to clean the intake valves using the BMW Carbon Blaster Tool
STRUCTURE:BODY
In the affected vehicles, an incorrect screwlocking device (circled) may have been usedfor the mounting bolts of the door latch locks.
ENGINE
Due to an implementation error in various OBD diagnostics in the vehicle's control units, in very rare cases itmay happen that stored fault memory codes (DTCs) and the MIL (warning light) are not automaticallydeleted even though the underlying malfunction has already been rectified. This does not comply with the statutory OBD specifications.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 59.7 |
| 2025Viewing | 61 | 5 | 0 | 60.9 |
| 2024 | 145 | 8 | 0 | 55.6 |
| 2023 | 32 | 4 | 0 | 58.2 |
| 2022 | 69 | 1 | 1 | 61.6 |
| 2021 | 107 | 12 | 1 | 70.4 |
| 2020 | 111 | 11 | 1 | 72.7 |
| 2019 | 188 | 13 | 0 | 61.0 |
| 2018 | 72 | 5 | 3 | 64.7 |
| 2017 | 74 | 6 | 3 | 59.7 |
| 2016 | 74 | 5 | 3 | 64.0 |
| 2015 | 152 | 6 | 2 | 61.8 |
| 2014 | 98 | 8 | 2 | 65.2 |
| 2013 | 149 | 6 | 1 | 60.3 |
| 2012 | 271 | 10 | 1 | 56.3 |
| 2011 | 263 | 14 | 1 | 57.2 |
| 2010 | 124 | 14 | 1 | 57.3 |
| 2009 | 138 | 12 | 1 | 55.9 |
| 2008 | 215 | 10 | 0 | 50.2 |
| 2007 | 71 | 8 | 0 | 49.2 |
| 2006 | 168 | 2 | 1 | 56.0 |
| 2005 | 82 | 3 | 0 | 51.7 |
| 2004 | 64 | 4 | 0 | 54.3 |
| 2003 | 99 | 3 | 0 | 53.3 |
| 2002 | 102 | 3 | 0 | 51.4 |
| 2001 | 160 | 12 | 0 | 56.7 |
| 2000 | 29 | 6 | 0 | 50.7 |
| 1999 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.