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U.S. public vehicle records

2023 Bmw X5: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

31 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

6,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 31 complaints (25.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior412.9%
Transmission and shifting39.7%
Electrical and battery issues39.7%
Engine operation13.2%
Steering behavior13.2%

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.

Electrical System
8
Unknown Or Other
8
Power Train
7
Engine
4
Structure:Body
4
Service Brakes
3
Air Bags
1
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System8
Unknown Or Other8
Power Train7
Engine4
Structure:Body4
Service Brakes3
Air Bags1
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera1

Electrical System: 8; Unknown Or Other: 8; Power Train: 7; Engine: 4; Structure:Body: 4; Service Brakes: 3; Air Bags: 1; Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0002
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 28 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.

2022
3
2023
8
2024
5
2025
7
2026
8
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20223
20238
20245
20257
20268

2022: 3; 2023: 8; 2024: 5; 2025: 7; 2026: 8

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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.

Examples from the source records

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

Owner report 11489910 · 2022-10-19 (October 19, 2022)

Left front air strut broke two weeks (600 miles) after delivery. There was no warning, just a loud noise when it broke. Warning light showed chasis issue. BMW towed car and replaced strut under warranty.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11489910 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11496221 · 2022-12-06 (December 6, 2022)

11/21~11/24: Transmission shift from D to N while driving and the vehicle lost power. system down and change to Charging Mode, which shows when power off. Need to push the start button couple of times to turn X5 on. These things happen 3 times. 11/28~12/2: BMW service tech updated software. I pick it up on 12/3 12/4: There was error message that "Four wheel drive limited" and engine stops and system changed to Charging Mode. I had to push the start button to turn it on.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11496221 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11499019 · 2022-12-27 (December 27, 2022)

I was accelerating from a green light in ELECTRIC only mode, once nearing 25 mph, felt a single strong jolt that caused acceleration to pause, the Hybrid mode automatically kicked in and acceleration continued under engine power. Received several warnings and alerts on the display- Stop Carefully: Power Supply Drivetrain Malfunction Continued Driving possible: Drivetrain Electric drive limited I was fortunate enough to continue driving the final 1/2 mile to my parking lot at work. After work, the engine started with the same errors as above…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11499019 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11504169 · 2023-01-28 (January 28, 2023)

Car computer stopped working. Prior to this, computer would not recognize either of two keys.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11504169 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11509869 · 2023-03-02 (March 2, 2023)

My X5 was accelerating on its own. I was able to control the speed with the brakes but once I took my foot off the brake the vehicle would accelerate again. It went as fast as 50 MPH. I did shut off the vehicle at a stop light to disengage any possible system. The car continued to accelerate once I let off the brake. Once home, my garage smelled horribly of burnt rubber from riding the brake pads. No system dash board notifications appeared. BMW dealership took the vehicle for inspection and couldn’t find an issue. National BMW then sent an …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11509869 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11511804 · 2023-03-14 (March 14, 2023)

I bought my 2023 BMW X5 brand new on 1/9/23- was driving through West Pam Beach on the way home from vacation and spilled a little water on my console. I immediately got a message on the dash that there was something wrong with the drive train. It then said not to turn off the car as it may not start again. Luckily I was 1.5 miles away from a BMW dealer and took it there where they said the water most likely seeped into the electrical compartment. After diagnostics were done, that was found to be the case and I was told I needed a new part…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11511804 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11515326 · 2023-04-03 (April 3, 2023)

The vehicle rolled away after the driver exited the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral and the parking brake was not applied. This negligent design flaw is because BMW has chosen to not revert the vehicle to Park if the door is opened like other car manufacturers. A simple software update or design change could prevent a potentially fatal incident caused by BMW’s negligence in this matter.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11515326 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11515353 · 2023-04-04 (April 4, 2023)

The contact owns a 2023 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the sunroof inadvertently exploded. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11515353 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

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

22V820000 · Visibility:Windshield

Reported: 2022-11-02 (November 2, 2022)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive45e, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle which could allow water to enter the vehicle and contact electrical components, possibly resulting in a short-circuit.

Consequence: An electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the windshield seal and as necessary, remove and reinstall the windshield with a new seal, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V942000 · Seats:Critical Fasteners

Reported: 2022-12-19 (December 19, 2022)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, X5 M50i and X5 xDrive 45e vehicles. One of the four bolts that connects the backrest to the driver's seat frame may not have been correctly installed.

Consequence: A loose driver's seat backrest may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat backrest and if necessary, install an attachment bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 17, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V253000 · Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly:Head Restraint

Reported: 2023-04-06 (April 6, 2023)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5 M and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The head restraints for the second-row outboard seats may have been improperly manufactured without locking tabs in the guide sleeves. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."

Consequence: A head restraint without a locking tab may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the second-row outboard seat head restraint guide sleeves, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V821000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)

Reported: 2023-12-06 (December 6, 2023)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 8 Series Coupe (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Convertible (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Gran Coupe (850i xDrive, M8), X3 SAV (X3 xDrive30i, X3M), X4 SAV (X4 xDrive30i), X5 SAV (X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M), X6 SAV (X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M), and Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i vehicles. The weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit's cover may not have been manufactured properly, which could allow automatic transmission oil to leak into the transmission control unit.

Consequence: Transmission oil that leaks into the control unit can lead to a seizure of the transmission gears, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission mechatronics module and the automatic transmission fluid, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 26, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign record ↗