2009 Bmw X5: complaints, problems and recalls

FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT INDICATE AT FULL CAPACITY WHEN FILLED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10295830 at NHTSA ↗

THIS ISSUE IS FOR A 2009 BMW X5 3.5D (DIESEL) SUV. WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO A NEAR OR ROLLING STOP AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH AND THEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY WHILE TURNING, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ROLL WITHOUT POWER FOR UP TO 3 SECONDS. SCENARIO: PULL UP TO AN INTERSECTION FOR A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, SLOW TO A NEAR STOP, THEN ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE JUST ROLLS FORWARD WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC OR ATTEMPTING TO PULL AWAY QUICKLY. MEANWHILE, TRAFFIC IS APPROACHING YOU AT SPEED AND AN ACCIDENT COULD EASILY OCCUR. VOLKSWAGEN DIESEL VEHICLES HAD A SIMI…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10305662 at NHTSA ↗

MY WIFE HAD A HARROWING EXPERIENCE WITH THE 09 BMW-X5 LOCKING ITSELF WITH THE KEY IN THE CAR. REMOTE KEY WAS INSIDE THE CAR IN HER PURSE ON THE PASSENGER SEAT- UNTOUCHED BY ANYONE. CAR WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE OFF. CAR LOCKED ITSELF AFTER OUR TWO KIDS WERE SECURED IN THE BACKSEATS AND THEIR DOORS SHUT WITH MY WIFE OUTSIDE! IT WAS OVER 90 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND SHE DID NOT HAVE MUCH TIME TO CALL FOR HELP. MY 5 YEAR OLD'S ATTEMPTS TO OPEN THE DOOR RESULTED IN ALARM GOING OFF AND EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN. FINALLY, BY LUCK, SHE WAS ABLE TO GUIDE THE 5 YEAR…

Owner-reported narrative. 18,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10339251 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

MY DAUGHTER WAS PUT IN THE BACKSEAT IN A HOT (100F) CAR AND STRAPPED IN. MY WIFE PLACED HER PURSE (KEYS IN IT) ON THE MIDDLE CONSOLE. THE DOOR WAS SHUT AND LOCKED ON ITS OWN, LOCKING MY CHILD IN THE CAR. WE CALLED BMW ASSIST TO REMOTELY UNLOCK THE CAR. THIS DID NOT WORK. POLICE AND FIRE WAS CALLED AND SHOWED UP ON SEEN. A NEIGHBOR FIREMAN CAME AND BROKE THE WINDOW. THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND MY WIFE CRAWLED THROUGH THE BROKEN WINDOW CUTTING HER LEG TO GET MY NOW HOT, RED AND LETHARGIC CHILD OUT OF THE CAR. AFTERWARD, THE CAR STIL…

Owner-reported narrative. 36,773 miles reported. Look up ODI 10411500 at NHTSA ↗

THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER "FULL" WHEN THE TANK IS INDEED FULL. THE NEEDLE WILL CREEP TOWARDS "FULL", BUT STOPS SHORT OF FULL. THE CAR HAS RUN OUT OF GAS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE REGISTERING HALF FULL. DEALER HAS REPLACED BOTH FUEL PUMPS AND FUEL SENSORS/SENDING UNITS AS WELL AS AN ELECTRONIC JUNCTION BOX TO NO AVAIL. LIKELIHOOD OF BECOMING STRANDED IS HIGH, IN ADDITION TO NEVER KNOWING HOW MUCH FUEL IS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK. MUST GUESS BY KEEPING TRACK OF MILES TRAVELED AFTER LAST FILL-UP. IN ADDITION, REAR LIFT GATE WILL NOT FUNCTION (VERY) …

Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10435940 at NHTSA ↗

THE HEADLIGHTS ON LOW BEAM REACH OUT ONLY 3 CAR LENGTHS. TRAVELING AT 40 MPH OR MORE YOU HAVE INADEQUATE FORWARD VISIBILITY, IF THERE IS AN OBJECT OR AN ANIMAL IN THE ROAD AHEAD, DUE TO LOW DISTANCE VISIBILITY, YOU HAVE NO RESPONSE TIME. THE TECH KNOWLEDGE ON THESE HEADLIGHTS FOR UP AND DOWN AND LEFT TO RIGHT MOVEMENT ARE FINE IF YOU ARE GOING UP HILL OR TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. THEY HAVE BEEN TO BMW SERVICE IN LUBBOCK AND DALLAS TEXAS. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL FRIENDS AND FAMILY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND THEY EXPERIENCE THE SAME POOR VISIBILITY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10436637 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

Reported: 2009-07-08 (July 8, 2009)

BMW IS RECALLING MY 2009 X5 AND X6 VEHICLES. THE REAR BRAKE DISCS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. AS A RESULT, A REDUCTION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE AT THE AFFECTED REAR WHEEL COULD OCCUR.

Consequence: IN AN EXTREME CASE, THE AFFECTED REAR BRAKE DISC COULD BREAK RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKING AT THAT WHEEL INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCES AND THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES BY INSPECTING THE REAR BRAKE DISCS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-525-7417.

Reported: 2011-08-19 (August 19, 2011)

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 X5 XDRIVE35D VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DIESEL ENGINE AND MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 1, 2008, THROUGH JUNE 12, 2009. THE FUEL FILTER HEATER, WHICH IS USED FOR WARMING UP THE DIESEL FUEL DURING VEHICLE OPERATION AT LOW OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES, COULD EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD CONDITION AND BECOME PERMANENTLY ACTIVATED.

Consequence: THE FUEL FILTER HEATER COULD REMAIN ACTIVATED EVEN WHEN THE IGNITION IS OFF AND LEAD TO A DEAD BATTERY. THE UNIT COULD ALSO OVERHEAT, POSSIBLY LEADING TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER HEATER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

Reported: 2013-08-07 (August 7, 2013)

BMW is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 X5 xDrive35d vehicles equipped with a diesel engine and manufactured from June 13, 2009, through November 9, 2009. The fuel filter heater, which is used for warming up the diesel fuel during vehicle operation at low outside temperatures, could experience an electrical overload condition and become permanently activated.

Consequence: The fuel filter heater could remain activated even when the ignition is off and lead to a dead battery. The unit could also overheat, possibly resulting in a vehicle fire.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter heater, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 26, 2013. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417.

Reported: 2016-05-25 (May 25, 2016)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5M vehicles, 2009-2011 X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2008-2011 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, BMW is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5M vehicles, and 2008 BMW X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or air bag module, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Reported: 2016-10-17 (October 17, 2016)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i Convertible, 650i Convertible, 650i xDrive Convertible, 650i Coupe and 650i Coupe xDrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts.

Consequence: The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Reported: 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2012 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, BMW is recalling certain 2009 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2009 X6 xDrive 35i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, and 2009 X5 xDrive35d vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, BMW is recalling certain 2007-2008 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, and 2008 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator or air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed March 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Reported: 2017-10-30 (October 30, 2017)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Consequence: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Reported: 2018-01-09 (January 9, 2018)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, 2009-2010 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2009-2013 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." BMW is also recalling certain 2007-2010 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X5 xDrive35d, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." BMW is also recalling certain 2007-2009 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xdrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X5 xDrive35d, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Reported: 2018-05-23 (May 23, 2018)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2013 X5 xDrive 35d diesel vehicles. The engine idler pulley bolt may loosen over time and break.

Consequence: If the 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 the idler pulley bolt with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Reported: 2019-01-14 (January 14, 2019)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Reported: 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2012 X5 xDrive35d, 2008-2012 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2007-2012 X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSPI-2) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until this remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Reported: 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.