2026 BMW X5

2 recalls, 12 complaints - 4/5 safety rating

AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Defect Description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2026 X6, X7, X5, and X5 Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The instrument panel may have been manufactured incorrectly and prevent the passenger-side air bag from deploying properly.

Consequence

An air bag that does not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the instrument panel trim, free of charge. The vehicles have not been sold from dealer inventory and therefore, no owner letters will be mailed. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searc... Read more

25 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Defect Description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2026 X5 Plug-in Hybrid, X5, and X7 vehicles. The windshield may not be sealed properly, which can allow water to enter the power distribution box or electronic control unit.

Consequence

Water inside electrical components can lead to electronic function failures, such as a loss of headlights, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an electrical short-circuit may occur, increasing the risk of a fire while parked or driving.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the windshield seal. If any leaks are detected, the seal will be repaired and vehicle control units and wiring will be replaced as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

1,406 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

Complaint Statistics

12 total complaints

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3
POWER TRAIN	2
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING	1
TIRES	1
ENGINE	1
STRUCTURE:BODY	1

Incident date: Jul 6, 2026

On July 6, 2026, while my brand-new vehicle (purchased June 10, 2026) was stationary and preconditioning, the high-voltage drivetrain and climate control networks suffered a catastrophic synchronization failure. The vehicle’s internal communication bus network completely crashed, causing the SME (... Read more

Incident date: Jul 6, 2026

Incident date: Jul 1, 2026

This vehicle has now experienced the same severe, life-threatening defect on four separate occasions. While driving at approximately 45–50 mph, the vehicle unexpectedly loses power and rapidly decelerates. A red warning message first appears stating "Inability to Drive," followed within a few sec... Read more

Incident date: Jun 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 BMW X5. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, several warning lights illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an incomplete software update. The contact was informed that the software... Read more

Incident date: Jun 13, 2026

2026 BMW X5 plug-in hybrid. Driver front and rear-left doors unexpectedly opened/unlatched while driving at freeway speeds. No dashboard warning before event. Problem has occurred multiple times. Vehicle presents serious occupant safety hazard. Dealer has not permanently resolved issue. 2 times drop... Read more

Incident date: May 23, 2026

Transmission failed at 65,000 miles right after the warranty expired. Cost to fix is $8,000. This is an epidemic issue with Toyota Highlanders built from 2017 to 2023. Tried to get dealer to cover but they said they refuse. They said that Toyota Corporate settled by paying all dealerships for p... Read more

Incident date: Apr 18, 2026

Driving in a construction zone. Two lane highway and my car immediately went into limp mode. Left me and my children stranded on the side of the road while semis and cars driving 65 mph went past very close to us. Honda knows these accords have head gasket issues and it is unsafe to be driving them.

Incident date: Feb 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 2500 equipped with Michelin Tires, Tire Line: LTX MS2, Tire Size: 245/75/R17, DOT Number: [XXX]. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low-pressure tire warning light illuminated, indicating that the passenger’s side rear tire pressure was l... Read more

Incident date: Feb 13, 2026

We have been waiting over a year now for the below to be remedied. Our ABS light goes off constantly and when it does, it causes cruise to stop working. There is a notification alarm (ding) that goes off and on while driving the truck. We pull a 41ft 5th Wheel and we were told it was okay to pull... Read more

Incident date: Feb 18, 2026

Routine Friday morning and just finished charging my 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 at Walmart. As I started my vehicle to finish my commute to work, the dreaded "Check electric vehicle system" warning light came on along with a red battery icon. There were no warning signs or anything that could have foret... Read more

Incident date: Jan 2, 2026

IN THE EQUINOX LT, VIN [XXX] , THE TELEMETRY MODULE HAS AN ISSUE PER THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER DUE TO THE TELEMETRY MODULE ISSUE. THE PART IS ON ORDER AND AS OF JANUARY 16, 2026. IT WILL TAKE 4 TO 6 WEEKS TO ARRIVE. IN THE MEAN TIME I HAVE HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TWICE IN TWO W... Read more

Incident date: Dec 28, 2025

This problem is extremely sporadic, and often remedies itself after car shut down, and sometimes require that the car sit for a period of time. I estimate the following issue happens ~1 time a month, or estimated 5% of the time. Weather (temperature specifically) does not appear to impact occuranc... Read more

NHTSA Safety Ratings, 2026 BMW X5

2026 BMW X5 SUV N/A AWD

Category	Rating
Overall Rating	4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Frontal Crash	4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Frontal Crash, Driver	4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Frontal Crash, Passenger	4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Side Crash	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Side Crash, Driver	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Side Crash, Passenger	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Rollover	4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Rollover Risk	15.9%

Safety Technology

Feature	Status
Electronic Stability Control	Standard
Forward Collision Warning	No
Lane Departure Warning	No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings Program. Ratings are based on crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NHTSA Safety Investigations, BMW X5

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

RQ, Closed , Model Year: 2009

Idler Pulley Bolt Failure

In a May 23, 2018 letter, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a safety defect that may result in the loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles (Recall 18V-336). The recall, w... Read more

BMW X5 - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the BMW X5 across all model years (1999, 2026).

192 Total Recalls

4,457 Total Complaints

1 Investigations

164 Reported Crashes

222 Reported Fires

7 Reported Deaths

BMW X5 - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2026 (current)	2	12
2025	4	96	View
2024	7	247	View
2023	4	46	View
2022	1	98	View
2021	12	149	View
2020	11	143	View
2019	13	262	View
2018	5	96	View
2017	6	111	View
2016	5	109	View
2015	6	199	View
2014	8	130	View
2013	6	215	View
2012	10	374	View
2011	14	395	View
2010	14	187	View
2009	12	203	View
2008	10	319	View
2007	8	119	View
2006	2	220	View
2005	3	109	View
2004	4	93	View
2003	3	134	View
2002	3	136	View
2001	12	215	View
2000	6	37	View
1999	1	0	View

Other BMW Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
X3	155	2,661	View
330I	122	1,050	View
X6	110	293	View
328I	108	3,743	View
M3	95	550	View
325I	83	1,809	View
Z4	83	1,439	View
5 SERIES	78	557	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health