2009 Bmw X5 SAV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 19 complaints (52.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 26.3% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 21.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 15.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 10; Air Bags: 7; Engine: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Electrical System: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2016: 3; 2017: 6; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10926146 · 2016-11-15 (November 15, 2016)
I RECEIVED 2 RECALL NOTICES REGARDING THIS CAR; THE AIR BAG RECALL WAS ISSUED ON 2/5/2016 AND THE FUEL PUMP RECALL WAS ISSUED ON 10/13/2016. NO ONE REPRESENTING BMW HAS CONTACTED ME YET TO HAVE THESE POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING ISSUES RESOLVED. I FEEL THAT BMW SHOULD ESCALATE THEIR RECALL RESOLUTION PROCESS TO FIXING THESE RECALLS WITHIN WEEKS, NOT MONTHS. IT HAS BEEN TOO LONG TO WAIT - ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING I AM ONE HEAD-ON CRASH AWAY FROM BEING KILLED BY FLYING SHRAPNEL FROM THE AIR BAG, OR HAVING MY CAR SEIZE SUDDENLY AT 65 MPH BECAUSE THE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10926146 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10954603 · 2017-02-14 (February 14, 2017)
I DID RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ABOUT MY FRONT DRIVER AIRBAG MODULE IN MARCH 2016 AND IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED BMW OF CAPE COD MASS AND AS A ANSWER THEY SAID THAT THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE MOMENT AND I WILL GET SECOND LETTER WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE AND READY FOR REPLACEMENT. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A YEAR AND THERE IS STILL NO ANSWER. NOW I GET SECOND RECALL LETTER ABOUT THE FUEL PUMP IN MY FUEL TANK. I DO TRAVEL EVERY WEEK FROM CAPE COD MASS TO NEW YORK AND THERE IS STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN MY CAR ON LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL, BUT ACCORDING TO BMW …
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10954603 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10660185 · 2014-11-22 (November 22, 2014)
OCTOBER 16, 2014 I STARTED UP MY 2009 BMW X5 4.8I SAV AND THE LEFT BRAKE LAMP MALFUNCTION ALERT CAME ON, AS WELL AS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I HAD A FRIEND CHECK TO CONFIRM THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD STILL BE SEEN BEFORE DRIVING OFF. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE SAV TO THE BMW DEALER ON OCTOBER 22, 2014. THE DEALER STATES "BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHT LENSES ASSEMBLIES REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS CONTACTS BURNED, MELTING LENSES CAUSING INTERMITTENTLY BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERABLE." I STATED THIS SOUNDS LIKE A RECALL BUT INSTEAD THEY OFFER TO SERVICE BOD…
Owner-reported narrative. 81,014 miles reported. Look up ODI 10660185 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11003920 · 2017-07-09 (July 9, 2017)
WHILE DRIVING 15-20 MPH;ELECTROMECHANICAL PARKING BRAKE FAILURE--SOFTWARE GLITCH THAT CAUSED THE PARKING BRAKE ACTUATOR TO FAILURE // YELLOW & RED ( BRAKE & 4X4) WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON FOR PARKING BRAKE FAILURE ,BRAKES LOCKED VX CAME TO IMMEDIATE STOP AND WOULD NOT DRIVE!
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11003920 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10502407 · 2013-03-11 (March 11, 2013)
I HAVE A BMW X5 2009. I BOUGHT THIS THING BRAND NEW 0 MILES. RECENTLY HAS 39000 MILES SINCE I BOTH I HAVING ISSUES ALL THE TIME LIKE SATURDAY 2/9/13 AROUND 11:00 PM I WAS RETURNING FROM LOUISIANA WITH MY FAMILY HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD SON & ON I-10 WAS DRIVING 80 MILES AN HOUR AND ENGINE JUST TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING & I WAS PULL OVER ONCE I STOP CAR TRYING RESTART AND JUST DON'T RESTART AND FINALLY EVERY THING DEAD NO POWER JUST DEAD. BATTERY DIE CALL ROAD SIDE ASSISTANT AND THEY SEND SOME THRU COMPANY HE TOLD ME PUT CAR ON NEUTRAL I DON'T KNOW HOW…
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10502407 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11066496 · 2018-02-01 (February 1, 2018)
DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH MY 4 YEAR OLD SON AND GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT RESPOND AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE DASH LIGHTS UP WITH DSC 4X4 ERROR ALSO BATTERY LIGHT AND HAND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE STARTED TO ACCELERATING UNCONTROLLABLY AT THIS TIME AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH WHAT IT SEEMED AS HALF FULL . THROTTLE WENT UNRESPONSIVE AND THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN . MOVED OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR SHUT OFF AS I AM TRYING TO PARK IT . NEEDLES TO SAY THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT CAUSED MY CAR TO SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 13 miles reported. Look up ODI 11066496 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10990827 · 2017-05-21 (May 21, 2017)
THIS SUV HAS 3 SAFETY RECALLS. BOTH THE AIRBAGS ARE IN THE TAKATA AND THE FUEL PUMP CREATES AND EXTREME RISK TO ME AND MY FAMILY'S LIFE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY BMW IS AS A COMPANY IS KEEPING THESE FAULTY CARS ON THE ROAD. EVERY TIME I GET IN IT I AM NERVOUS AND AFRAID FOR MY LIFE. NOW MY WIFE AND KIDS DO NOT DRIVE WITH ME IN THE CAR. IT HAS BECOME A HUGE BURDEN. IT IS SHAMEFUL THAT BMW BUT EVEN MORE SO THAT OUR GOVERNMENT WILL ALLOW THESE UNSAFE CARS ON THE ROADS. EVERY TIME I TALKED TO BMW THEY TRY TO DOWN PLAY THE ISSUE. BUT I SIMPLY CAN…
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10990827 at NHTSA ↗