2021 BMW X5: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 BMW X5: 12 recalls, 109 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
Recalls
12 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Tires Vehicle recall #20V483000 · 2020 · 42 vehicles
What's wrong: The tires May have a damaged inner layer, possibly resulting in a rapid loss of pressure while the vehicle is moving.
Why it matters: A rapid loss of tire pressure while the vehicle is moving can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Bmw has notified all of the affected owners, and dealers will replace the defective tires, free of charge. Bmw has contacted owners by telephone and those owners have had their cars remedied. Owner notification letters will not be sent.
Electrical, Electrical Vehicle recall #20V490000 · 2020 · 713 vehicles
What's wrong: Loose welding beads May form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells which could lead to a short-circuit.
Why it matters: A short-circuited hybrid battery May increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery modules, free of charge. Bmw issued owners an interim notification on October 16, 2020. Although potentially affected BMW owners received interim owner notification letters, all potentially affected BMW owner…
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #20V528000 · 2020 · 307 vehicles
What's wrong: The headlamps May allow a blue light to illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Oncoming drivers May be confused by the blue light of approaching vehicles, which could potentially increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlamps and, if necessary, replace them, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020.
Electrical Vehicle recall #20V601000 · 2020 · 4,509 vehicles
What's wrong: Debris May have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.
Why it matters: The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
The fix: Bmw will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge. The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is completed, drivers are instructed to not charge their vehicles. Drivers are instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift…
Suspension Vehicle recall #20V678000 · 2020 · 83 vehicles
What's wrong: The weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket May separate.
Why it matters: If the weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket separates, vehicle handling and control May be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle support, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020.
Electrical Vehicle recall #20V761000 · 2020 · 812 vehicles
What's wrong: The connection between the 48-volt battery and the starter-generator May not have been assembled properly, which can cause increased electrical resistance at the connections.
Why it matters: Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021.
Steering Vehicle recall #21V031000 · 2021 · 21 vehicles
What's wrong: The steering column shaft's universal joint connection May not have been tightened to specifications, and can become loose.
Why it matters: A loose steering column shaft universal joint connection can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, depending upon the inspection, either the bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, or the steering column shaft, universal joint, and bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, free of charge. The recall began March 30,…
Brakes (hydraulic), Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #21V062000 · 2021 · 893 vehicles
What's wrong: The rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system May not have been welded properly and could separate during a hard braking event, possibly resulting in a loss of the antilock brake system (ABS) and braking assistance.
Why it matters: A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021.
Brakes (hydraulic), Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #21V089000 · 2021 · 9 vehicles
What's wrong: The right front brake disc May have been assembled with incorrect fasteners, which over time, could result in the front brake disc becoming loose.
Why it matters: A loose brake disc could affect vehicle handling and control, and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the right front brake disc and replace it if necessary, along with the unaffected left side brake disc, free of charge. There are no owner vehicles affected; therefore, owner notification is not necessary and, as such, a planned owner notification…
Backup camera, Backup camera Vehicle recall #21V096000 · 2021 · 13,858 vehicles
What's wrong: When shifting into reverse, a small portion of the rearview image May be obscured, or the screen May not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 111, "rear visibility."
Why it matters: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021.
Seats Vehicle recall #21V156000 · 2021 · 258 vehicles
What's wrong: The head restraints on the second-row outer seats May be the incorrect type for the vehicle.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the head restraints could detach, and increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the head restraints, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 3, 2021.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #22V267000 · 2022 · 61,221 vehicles
What's wrong: The roof function control unit May be programmed incorrectly, allowing the sunroof to close without the key fob present inside the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "power-operated window systems."
Why it matters: A sunroof that closes without the key fob present inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the roof function control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 7 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (38): the most common themes are electrical failure (23), warning light on (8), fire / smoke (7).
- Transmission & drivetrain (30): the most common themes are noise or vibration (7), stalls / loses power (6).
- Engine (25): the most common themes are electrical failure (10), fire / smoke (7), warning light on (5).
- Other / unknown (18): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (5), electrical failure (5).
The 2021 BMW X5 has 109 owner complaints, ranking #13 of 28 X5 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 113). Complaints peaked in 2026 (30 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 36,400 miles. Neighboring years: 2020 (113 complaints, 11 recalls), 2022 (70 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo hybrid | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo hybrid | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 25 | 23 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo hybrid | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 22 | 20 | Premium and Electricity |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 BMW X5.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2021 BMW X5 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 12 vehicle recalls for the 2021 BMW X5. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 BMW X5 problems?
Owners have filed 109 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (38), transmission & drivetrain (30), engine (25).
What gas mileage does the 2021 BMW X5 get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic (S8)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2021 BMW X5 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.