2009 Bmw X5 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
138 owner complaints analyzed
12 distinct recall campaigns
83,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 85 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 41 of 138 complaints (29.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 18 | 13.0% |
| Braking behavior | 14 | 10.1% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 8.7% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 8.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 8.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 2.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 41 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 37 |
| Engine | 30 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Seats | 9 |
| Service Brakes | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
Air Bags: 41; Fuel/Propulsion System: 37; Engine: 30; Electrical System: 16; Power Train: 10; Seats: 9; Service Brakes: 9; Unknown Or Other: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 18 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 21 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 27 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 18; 75,000 to 99,999: 21; 100,000 to 149,999: 27; 150,000 and above: 4
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (27). 53 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 41 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 |
2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2012: 2; 2013: 6; 2014: 5; 2015: 10; 2016: 12; 2017: 41; 2018: 17; 2019: 14; 2020: 6; 2021: 2; 2022: 6; 2023: 6; 2024: 1; 2025: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 18 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 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 10764436 · 2015-09-16 (September 16, 2015)
THE POWER CABLE GOING TO THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP BURNT UP, MELTING THE PUMP HOUSING AND MELTING THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES IN THE TANK. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THAT NEW FIRMWARE WILL FIX THE ISSUE TO REDUCE HOW MUCH CURRENT THE PUMP DRAWS, THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL OR WARRANTY ON THIS ITEM. THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITH WIRES GETTING HOT ENOUGH TO MELT THE INSULATION IN THE FUEL TANK! HOW COULD THIS NOT HAVE BEEN A RECALL?
Owner-reported narrative. 77,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10764436 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10903044 · 2016-09-01 (September 1, 2016)
#5 & 6 FUEL INJECTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN JULY 2015. #5 FUEL INJECTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN IN JULY 2016. SAME MECHANIC PERFORMED BOTH REPAIRS. HE ADVISED AND GAVE ME A "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN" THAT DESCRIBED FUEL INJECTOR FAULTS AND FACTORY COVERED REPAIRS. - PLEASE ADVISE ME OF THIS- THERE IS NO OUTSTANDING RECALL THAT I CAN FIND FOR THIS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10903044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10354607 · 2010-09-09 (September 9, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY DECELERATE TO ABOUT 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITH NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY MADE REPAIRS TO THE COMPUTER. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE THE DAY AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10354607 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10448194 · 2012-02-16 (February 16, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A VEHICLE PULLED UP AND ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. HE MANAGED TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SAW THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS ABLE TO BE EXTINGUISHED USING SNOW AND WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE CALIPER WAS HANGING AND CAUSED A BRAKE FAILURE, WHICH ULTIMATELY LED TO THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE CALIPERS, ROTORS, BRAKE PADS, SHOCKS, AXLE AND BRA…
Owner-reported narrative. 47,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10448194 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10501341 · 2013-03-05 (March 5, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X5 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN COMPLETING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY STIFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE STEERING BOLTS WERE LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.*TR
Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10501341 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10512685 · 2013-05-19 (May 19, 2013)
I WAS DRIVING ON THE 95 SOUTH, BETWEEN EXIT 28 TO 39( WILLMINGTON AREA, MA) YESTERDAY ( 5/18/13) ABOUT 6:30PM. I WAS ON FAST LANE, DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH, SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST POWER, THE DASHBOARD WARNING SIGN SHOWING POWER OUTPUT DOWN. THE SPEED OF CAR SUDDENLY DROPPED, I HAD TO PULL OVER TO BREAKDOWN LANE, BUT THE CARS BEHIND ME COULD NOT STOP QUICK ENOUGH, IT COLLIDED WITH MY BACK BUMPER, LUCKILY NO PERSONAL INJURY, AND THE CAR ONLY GOT SLIGHT SCRATCH. THANKS TO THE CARS BEHIND ME SLOWED DOWN IN TIME. IT WAS SO SCARE FOR ME, NEVER HAD SUCH T…
Owner-reported narrative. 640,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10512685 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10808879 · 2015-12-07 (December 7, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE OVERHEAT ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V521000 ( ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10808879 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10550982 · 2013-11-05 (November 5, 2013)
ON 10/28/13, I WAS ON A TWO LANE COUNTY ROAD, SPEED LIMIT 45, TRAVELLING AT 45MPH, WHEN THE ENGINE OVERHEATING LIGHT CAME UP ON THE PANEL, ADVISING ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE WARNING LIGHT ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED AND TO PULL OVER ASAP. WHILE TRYING TO FIND A SAFE SHOULDER, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN, SO THERE WAS NO MORE POWER. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, GLIDING. WHILE TRYING TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN, SO THAT I WAS UNABLE TO OPERATE THE WINDOWS OR ANY O…
Owner-reported narrative. 52,743 miles reported. Look up ODI 10550982 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10766528 · 2015-09-21 (September 21, 2015)
I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE DRY STARTING (DIDN'T WANT TO START AS IF IT WAS OUT OF GAS). SERVICE GUY INFORMED ME AFTER HE RAN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK THAT IT WAS MY BATTERY. I WAS FLABBERGASTED, BECAUSE THAT DIDN'T SOUND OF A DEAD BATTERY. I PAID 460 (NEW BATTERY AND DIAGNOSTIC CHECK) AND HE ASSURED HE RAN IT AGAIN WITH THE NEW BATTERY AND NO CODES WAS SHOWN AGAIN. BEFORE I EVEN GOT INTO MY VEHICLE THE TRANSPORT GUY NOTICE A LIGHT ON. SERVICE GUY CHECKED IT OUT AND FINDS OUT REAR LIGHT…
Owner-reported narrative. 76,795 miles reported. Look up ODI 10766528 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11130390 · 2018-09-20 (September 20, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE INADVERTENTLY PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND THE AUTO PARK FUNCTION SHIFTED INTO PARK. WHEN THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE AUTO PARK DISENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FLOW BMW (2565 PETERS CREEK PKWY, WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27127, [phone removed]) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A FIELD REPRESENTATIVE CAME TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS WATER…
Owner-reported narrative. 93,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11130390 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11143076 · 2018-10-27 (October 27, 2018)
I BOUGHT MY 2009 BMW X5 VEHICLE IN JUNE 2018, WITH APPROXIMATELY 61,630 MILES AND A LIMITED WARRANTY WITH 'POWER TRAIN COVERAGE', WHICH INCLUDED 'ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, FRONT WHEEL DRIVE, AND REAR WHEEL DRIVE'. IN MID-OCTOBER 2018, MY VEHICLE BEGAN SHOWING THE 'LOW COOLANT LEVEL' LIGHT AND 'LOW OIL LEVEL' LIGHT. I CALLED THE FLOW BMW DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON 10/19/18. FLOW BMW DIAGNOSED A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR. AFTER CONTACTING THE WARRANTY COMPANY (ASSURE) THE WARRANTY COMPANY INFORMED THE SERVICE MANAGE…
Owner-reported narrative. 67,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11143076 at NHTSA ↗