2017 Bmw X5: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
73 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
29,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 34 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 73 complaints (21.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 11 | 15.1% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 9.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 9.6% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 8.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 15 |
| Engine | 12 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 5 |
Electrical System: 16; Fuel/Propulsion System: 15; Engine: 12; Power Train: 9; Unknown Or Other: 7; Service Brakes: 6; Air Bags: 5; Fuel System, Diesel: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 39 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 |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2017: 5; 2018: 6; 2019: 10; 2020: 6; 2021: 8; 2022: 12; 2023: 9; 2024: 6; 2025: 9; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 11 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 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 10945481 · 2017-01-16 (January 16, 2017)
OUR 2017 BMW X5 WAS INVOLVED IN A FATAL CAR ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING A HEAD INJURY. A DRIVER WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND LOST CONTROL ON ICE AND WENT INTO THE NORTHBOUND LANE WHERE ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE OUT OF CONTROL CAR CAUSING THOSE VEHICLES TO HIT OUR BMW AND PUSHING OUR VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10945481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11004191 · 2017-07-11 (July 11, 2017)
WHILE RETURNING FROM TEXAS AND DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS MY CAR'S DRIVETRAIN WARNING LIGHT SAID I NEEDED SERVICE BUT I COULD CONTINUE DRIVING AT MODERATE SPEEDS. I DROVE TO BMW OF DALLAS. THEY DETERMINED MY #5-CYLINDER FUEL INJECTOR HAD FAILED. I STAYED THE NIGHT IN DALLAS AND RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. AFTER REPLACING THE INJECTOR, THE CAR WOULD NOT IDLE PROPERLY. I DROVE A RENTAL CAR HOME AND LEFT MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP DID EXTENSIVE TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE OVER THE NEXT THREE AND A HALF WEEKS. EVENTUA…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,919 miles reported. Look up ODI 11004191 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11010463 · 2017-07-25 (July 25, 2017)
WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE, AT A VERY SLOW SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CAR HIT THE BUILDING BEHIND THE PARKING SPOT. NEXT DAY, WHILE PARKING AT A CONVENIENCE STORE, ALSO AT A VERY SLOW SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN AND HIT A POST. BOTH TIMES THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE FIRST TIME, I THOUGHT I HAD MADE A MISTAKE, BUT AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT I REALIZED THE BRAKES FAILED. ON THE WAY HOME, I FOUND THAT I COULD DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT WILL WHILE AT A VERY SLOW SPEED (SIMULATED PARKING SITUATION). I CONTACTED …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11010463 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11019027 · 2017-08-22 (August 22, 2017)
THE DRIVER SEAT BELT ON A BRAND NEW, BMW 2017 X5 XDRIVE 35I HAD A SEAT BELT BUCKLE THAT WOULD RATTLE AND SHAKE WHEN THE DRIVER WAS SEATED. THE BUCKLE WOULD CONTINUE TO RATTLE AS THE DRIVER DROVE DOWN THE ROAD. THE BUCKLE WOULD RATTLE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IN MOTION, OR RUNNING. THE BUCKLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE. IT APPEARS TO BE VERY DANGEROUS TO HAVE A DRIVER SEAT BELT THAT IS NOT PROPERLY MANUFACTURED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11019027 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11043164 · 2017-11-04 (November 4, 2017)
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WITHOUT WARNING. THE DASHBOARD IT UP SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE BRAKE AND STEERING PROBLEM. HAVINING NOWHERE TO PULL OVER SAFELY; I SLOWED DOWN AND CONTINUED ON TO A SAFE LOCATION. ININTIALLY, I COULD NOT TURN IGNITION OFF. THE VEHICLE IS BRAND NEW, HAVING ONLY 385 MILES ON ODOMETER. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOOSE ALL POWER, AND BY THE TIME THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED VEHICLE REAR DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AND COULD NOT GET CAR INTO NEUTRAL. I WAS TERRIFIED WHILE THIS WAS HA…
Owner-reported narrative. 385 miles reported. Look up ODI 11043164 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11064408 · 2018-01-23 (January 23, 2018)
BMW X5 HAS A STORAGE PACKAGE, IT ADDS TWO LASHING RAILS AND 4 LASHING EYES IN CARGO/TRUNK. THE FINISH OF THIS LASHING RAILS IS LIKE A RAZOR. I WAS UNLOADING A BOX AND MY PINKY FINGER GOT TRAPPED INSIDE THIS LASHING RAIL AND IT SLICED THE FINGER SKIN. IT TOOK ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO CONTROL THE BLEEDING FROM FINGER AS LASHING RAILS HAD SLICED GOOD CHUNK OF PINKY FINGER.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11064408 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11075351 · 2018-02-27 (February 27, 2018)
MY BMW X5 2017 HIT MY GARAGE DOOR AFTER I PUT IT IN PARK MODE. I BELIEVE THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY ITS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND THE FAILED HANDBRAKE. ON THAT NIGHT, I STOPPED MY CAR ON A SLIGHTLY INCLINED DRIVEWAY. I TURNED ON THE HANDBRAKE, PUT THE CAR IN PARK MODE, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AND THEN STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR. ABOUT 10 SECONDS LATER, THE CAR ROLLED FORWARD AND HIT MY GARAGE DOOR. IT WAS SNOWING THAT NIGHT, BUT THE SNOW WAS LESS THAN ONE INCH. THE CAR DIDN'T SLIP BECAUSE THE FOUR WHEELS ROLLED FORWARD. I TESTED IT A FEW TIMES RIGHT AFTE…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11075351 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11078337 · 2018-03-09 (March 9, 2018)
WIFE WAS REAR ENDED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL TO VEHICLE PUSHING HER OVER TRAIN TRACKS IN THE VEHICLE WITH NO CONTROL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11078337 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V189000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2017-03-17 (March 17, 2017)
BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2017 X5 sDrive35i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 xDrive35d, and X5 xDrive40e vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag modules using certain air bag inflators that may not vent properly in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag.
Consequence: If the inflator cannot vent properly, the inflator may rupture, resulting in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants and causing serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW has notified owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V327000 · Equipment:Other:Labels | Tires
Reported: 2017-05-18 (May 18, 2017)
BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017 BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with 21-inch tires, however the Tire Information Label states that the vehicles are equipped with 20-inch tires. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: The incorrect tire size on the label does not comply with FMVSS number 110.
Remedy: BMW has notified the affected owners and is providing them with a corrected tire information placard, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V755000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
Reported: 2018-10-25 (October 25, 2018)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d and 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. If the EGR cooler leaks internally, the coolant can mix with diesel engine soot. The high EGR temperatures may result in these particles possibly smoldering and melting the intake manifold.
Consequence: The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the EGR cooler as necessary. If a leak has already occurred, the engine intake manifold will also be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V586000 · Fuel System, Diesel:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2021-07-29 (July 29, 2021)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, X5 xDrive35d, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, and 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 14, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V907000 · Fuel System, Diesel
Reported: 2021-11-19 (November 19, 2021)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon, 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV, and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV diesel vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold.
Consequence: A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755. Vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on January 18, 2022. The remedy is expected to be available in June 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 6, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V608000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Connectors/Plugs/Receptacles | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Pump
Reported: 2024-08-13 (August 13, 2024)
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗