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2010 Bmw X5 SAV: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

19 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

64,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 19 complaints (42.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior421.1%
Electrical and battery issues315.8%
Engine operation210.5%
Transmission and shifting15.3%
Braking behavior15.3%

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.

Engine
8
Air Bags
4
Fuel/Propulsion System
4
Electrical System
3
Steering
3
Power Train
2
Fuel System, Diesel
1
Fuel System, Gasoline
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine8
Air Bags4
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Electrical System3
Steering3
Power Train2
Fuel System, Diesel1
Fuel System, Gasoline1

Engine: 8; Air Bags: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Electrical System: 3; Steering: 3; Power Train: 2; Fuel System, Diesel: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
5
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
4
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0001
25,000 to 49,9995
50,000 to 74,9992
75,000 to 99,9994
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 5 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.

2012
1
2013
2
2014
1
2015
4
2016
6
2017
3
2018
1
2019
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20121
20132
20141
20154
20166
20173
20181
20191

2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 4; 2016: 6; 2017: 3; 2018: 1; 2019: 1

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10478913 · 2012-10-07 (October 7, 2012)

PARK DISTANCE CONTROL ISSUE. UPON SELECTION OF REVERSE, PARK DISTANCE CONTROL (PDC) SEEM TO FUNCTION PROPERLY, GIVING CORRECT VISUAL AND AUDIBLE ALERTS TO OBJECTS. UPON TRANSITION TO DRIVE, HOWEVER, PDC MALFUNCTIONS IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER: 1) VISUAL ALERT ON CONTROL DISPLAY INDICATES IN RED, ALERTING ME TO AN OBJECT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY, EVEN WHEN NO OBJECT IN NEAR 2) CONTINUOUS AUDIBLE TONE CORRESPONDING TO RED DISPLAY. THIS CONTINUOUS TONE/ALERT IS DISPLAYED FOR UP TO 20 SECONDS, UPON WHICH TIME BOTH INDICATIONS CEASE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 19,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10478913 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10537589 · 2013-08-27 (August 27, 2013)

MY BMW 2010 X5 DIESEL CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE CENTER CONSOLE AREA AFTER ONLY A FEW MINUTES AFTER DRIVING CAR. THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE SEEMED TO ORIGINATE UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE CARGO AREA AS A HOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE QUARTER WAS BURNED UP THOUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE CARGO AREA. THE INITIAL INDICATOR OF THE PROBLEM INCLUDED SMOKE COMING THROUGH VENTS. ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS OCCURRED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE CAR AS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PUT IT IN PARK WHILE IT WAS ON FIRE. WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE CARGO AREA. THE …

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10537589 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10552773 · 2013-11-18 (November 18, 2013)

VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL. ON THE NIGHT OF JULY 12 I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN STEERING BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND EXTREMELY STIFF. I TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WITH FULL FORCE IN MY BODY TO AVOID HITTING THE POLE AND AND BARELY MISSED HITTING THE STREET LIGHT POLE. THIS INCIDENT SHAKED ME FOR A WHILE. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND DETERMINED AND FOUND THAT ALTERNATOR BOLT FROM RECALL 11 11 12 (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V550000) HAD SNAPPED CAUSING BELT TO COME OFF AS WELL AS TENSION-ER. IT WAS VERY DISAPP…

Owner-reported narrative. 35,075 miles reported. Look up ODI 10552773 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10628176 · 2014-08-25 (August 25, 2014)

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND I RECEIVED AN OVERHEATING SIGNAL ON THE DASH. I TURN CAR OFF AND LET IT COOL OFF BUT UT DID NOT WOKRD. I KEPT HAVING THE SAME OVERHEATING ISSUED. I NOTICED THERE IS A RECALL BUT BMW X5 2010 TO 2011 FOR THE SAME ISSUED OF THE WATER PUMP. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DO NOT WANT TO FIX IT STATING MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I ARGUED THAT IS THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF THE RECALL. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING HEY CAN DO. I CALLED BMW OF AMERICA AND STATED THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NO HELP. MY CONCERN IS IF TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10628176 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10702323 · 2015-03-28 (March 28, 2015)

I HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH MY 2010 BMW X5 35D BREAKDOWN. IT SAID THE CHARGING MALFUNCTION ON THE SCREEN. POWER STEERING WAS LOST. WHEEL STEER WAS HARD TO MANEUVER. HARD TO MOVE. I ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE BATTERY DIED. EVERYTHING JUST NOT FUNCTION BC OF LOST IN POWER STEERING. WHEN I TOWED MY CAR TO BMW MANHATTAN, THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR MY BMW X5 35 D. SHE TOLD ME THE DEALER WOULD CHARGE ME ABOUT $900 TO REPLACE PULLEY BELT BOLT AND BATTERY AND ETC . I TOLD HER IT'S ONE OF RECALL. AFTER THAT THE SERVICE ADVISOR T…

Owner-reported narrative. 48,009 miles reported. Look up ODI 10702323 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10712272 · 2015-04-22 (April 22, 2015)

2010 BMW X5 DIESEL SERVICE DATE SERVICE ISSUE 7/5/10 PROGRAMMING CONTROL UNITS REPLACING CHARGE-AIR TEMPERATURE SENSOR 7/24/12 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON 10/10/12 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON - CAR FAILED SUNOCO EMISSIONS INSPECTION 3X. BROUGHT THE CAR TO BMW TO FIGURE OUT WHY. BMW STERLING PASSED IT. NO REASON ANSWER PROVIDED FOR EMISSIONS FAILURE 1/11/13 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON 2/5/13 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON 8/21/13 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON 11/28/14 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON 1/28/15 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON SERVICE BULLET…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10712272 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10723867 · 2015-06-07 (June 7, 2015)

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY BMW X5 HAS LOST ENGINE POWER ON THE HIGHWAY. IT HAS HAPPENED AFTER DRIVING A FEW HOURS. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM LIGHT WENT ON. OUR CAR HAS NOW BEEN AT THE FRESNO BMW DEALERSHIP FOR ONE MONTH. NOTHING HAS BEEN FIXED AND WE ARE NOT GETTING ANY INFORMATION FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10723867 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10780096 · 2015-10-06 (October 6, 2015)

BMW X5 DIESEL. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A WEEK. BMW WILL NOT REPLACE A PART THAT WAS PART OF A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME. SCR METERING VALVE - SERVICE ACTION: REPLACE THE SELECTIVE CATALYST REDUCTION (SCR) METERING UNIT. SI B18 04 12 EXHAUST SYSTEMS

Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10780096 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

12V550000 · Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel

Reported: 2012-11-27 (November 27, 2012)

BMW is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 X5 xDrive 35d SAV diesel vehicles manufactured September 1, 2008, through November 15, 2012. The engine belt idler pulley bolt could loosen and break over time.

Consequence: If the engine belt idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and tighten the idler pulley bolt. The recall began on January 15, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
13V045000 · Service Brakes | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist

Reported: 2013-02-07 (February 7, 2013)

BMW is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 X5 SAV vehicles, manufactured September 12, 2006, through March 18, 2010 and equipped with an 8-cylinder engine. The brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil into the hose. The contamination could result in a loss of power assist braking.

Consequence: The loss of power assist in braking could increase stopping distance and lead to a vehicle crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake vacuum line with one that contains a check valve, free of charge. The recall began during March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
14V176000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Reported: 2014-04-10 (April 10, 2014)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.

Consequence: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V071000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-02-05 (February 5, 2016)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V119000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)

Reported: 2022-03-02 (March 2, 2022)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Consequence: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.

Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign record ↗