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ProblemsByVin Index / 2009-BMW-X5 / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2009 BMW X5 owner complaints

161 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 2 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

engine 7 complaints shown

30 total in this category · severe · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/27/2017 100,000 mi Fire ODI #11056784.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW x5. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle to drive, a burning odor emitted into the vehicle vent. The vehicle was taken to lauderdale BMW of pembroke pines dealer, located on 14800 sheridan pines, fl 33028, phone: (954) 620-5050, where it was rejected to be serviced due to the remedy part for the recall repair was not available. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: (fuel system, gasoline) and 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure and informed that the part was not available for the repair. The approximate f

12/09/2022 ODI #11496807.0

The contact owns a 2009 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

12/07/2015 86,000 mi ODI #10808879.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW x5. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the overheat engine warning light illuminated continuously. In addition, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The contact was an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the electrical water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11v521000 ( engine, engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

12/05/2016 112,000 mi ODI #10929864.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW x5. When the ignition was turned to the on position, the vehicle failed to start. The contact had to make several attempts in order for the vehicle to start. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16v746000 (fuel system, gasoline). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

12/03/2021 ODI #11442541.0

EGR Cooler leaking soot/exhaust into engine compartment.

11/30/2018 109,500 mi ODI #11155281.0

I am smelling extremely dangerous for health exhaust fumes inside the car while driving. The more the cabin heat is applied, the more exhaust smell is noticeable. I found many forums online related to the same issue on 2009 and up diesel powered BMW x5 xdrive35d. People are complaining about faulty EGR coolers, leaking turbos etc. This problem needs to be addressed and corrected. Thank you.

11/27/2015 70,000 mi ODI #10807196.0

Diesel x5 has a faulty passive DEF tank which illuminates the check engine light and does not provide DEF fluid to the emissions control system. BMW will not pay for repairs and could not provide replacement part for the last 6 months due to sensor redesign. Vehicle emitting toxic emissions for 6 months. Could be thousands of vehicles affected. Health safety condition.

airbags 5 complaints shown

45 total in this category · severe · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags cluster analysis →
12/26/2017 70,000 mi ODI #11056647.0

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 BMW x5. The contact was unable to sell the vehicle because the manufacturer had not supplied the remedy and parts for NHTSA campaign numbers: 16v071000 (air bags), 16v364000 (air bags), and 16v746000 (fuel system, gasoline). The dealer was not contacted because the interim notice did not specify when the remedy and parts would become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. *tt consumer stated brake failure due to marter cylinder leak.*jb

12/13/2016 ODI #10935054.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW x5. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags). The contact stated that the parts needed for the recall remedy were still not available and the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

12/06/2017 ODI #11052831.0

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 BMW x5. The contact stated that a recall notice was received more than eight months ago for NHTSA campaign numbers: 16v071000 (air bags) and 17v020000 (air bags). The dealer (harold zeigler BMW, 4201 stadium dr suite a, kalamazoo, mi 49008, (866) 430-1812) stated that they were unable to verify when the manufacturer would provide the remedy and repair parts for both recalls. The contact was unable to determine if the parts were unavailable or on a national backorder. In addition, the contact was not made aware until months later that the vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling) in mid october 2017. The manufacturer was contacted to determine when the remedy and parts would be supplied to the dealer

12/02/2014 60,000 mi ODI #10661646.0

My 2009 BMW x5 has the pasanger airbag disabled light on and malfunction in the pasanger restraint system malfunction light on. For the past few months. I called BMW of north america and was told they have a recall on this specific problem but my VIN doesn't show this as an affected car. So they will not fix this. Even though the pasanger air bag will not deploy in an accident due to the faulty seat sensor that they have a recall on. I referenced the NHTSA campaign # 08v-384 but was still informed only specific VIN numbers are affected and they won't elaborate on how they came about with the specific criteria. *js

11/28/2016 ODI #10928407.0

Takata recall this is taking way longer than I would ever think and I fear the risk of injury or death. I can't believe it takes this long for proper or new parts to arrive for remedy. Can we disable them from ever working so we limit risk of faulty bags?

powertrain 2 complaints shown

9 total in this category · severe · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/28/2017 160,000 mi Crash ODI #11057176.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW x5. While driving, the contact smelled something burning from the air conditioning vents and smoke began to fill the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. The failure occurred numerous times, which resulted in a crash. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The contact received a notice for NHTSA campaign number: 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer (BMW of south atlanta, 4171 jonesboro rd, union city, ga 30291 (770) 969-0755). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that parts were not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 160,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

12/07/2019 85,000 mi ODI #11287653.0

I own a 2009 BMW x5 diesel. BMW has recognized an issue with a sensor in the selective catalytic reduction (scr) active tank. The tank stores diesel fluid. Diesel fluid is added into diesel to reduce the amount of emissions that is released from the vehicle. BMW extended the warranty for this part but it is unknown how they determine the amount of this extension. My vehicle is over the extended warranty by 4 months but under the mileage limit by 40,000 miles. This issue should be a recall call and not an extended warranty with limited time to repair the issue. I attempted to resolve this with sean s. At BMW customer relations by informing him that this is my commuter vehicle and I have to drive this car every day. I also informed him that if not resolved this will lead to a large amount of

fuel system 2 complaints shown

8 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system cluster analysis →
12/15/2016 87,050 mi ODI #10935541.0

I received a recall notice about air bags in august. I have still not received notification of parts. My BMW x5 is now having another very debilitating problem. It shuts off, stalls, won't start, emits very toxic and strong fumes of burning gas when I start my car and when im idling. The engine light up then , it shakes, it has no punch. I felt as though it was part of the other recall with the fuel pump and I took it to my local BMW dealership for diagnostics and they dismissed me, told me I had to pay more for more tests and that it absolutely was not the fuel pump recall. In the meantime I asked about the air bag recall and they said no they couldn't help. I complained and [xxx] of parts and service said fine, they would fix the airbags right then, but couldn't offer me a rental. A

12/15/2009 3,000 mi ODI #10295830.0

Fuel gauge does not indicate at full capacity when filled. *tr

other 2 complaints shown

12/14/2017 ODI #11054836.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW x5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v746000 (fuel system, gasoline). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. D. Patrick BMW in evansville, indiana was made aware of the recall and stated that the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the recall. The contact experienced a failure with the vehicle related to the recall in which the vehicle would not start when prompted. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

12/12/2017 ODI #11054225.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW x5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v746000 (fuel system, gasoline). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact spoke with BMW of austin (7011 mcneil dr, austin, tx 78729) who stated that parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated they did not know when the parts would arrive. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

lighting 1 complaint shown

5 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $250 · see lighting cluster analysis →
12/16/2020 135,000 mi ODI #11383710.0

Car stuck in park and is in fail safe mode also when trying to charge battery while it's dead it sounds like the whole car is clicking

brakes 1 complaint shown

9 total in this category · severe · avg repair $450 · see brakes cluster analysis →
12/05/2014 62,000 mi ODI #10662420.0

BMW x5 2009 4.8is (v8). Brake master cylinder and brake booster failed causing sudden and unexpected loss of braking while driving. No in dash alerts or diagnosis shown before or after the incident. Braking fault was permanent not intermittent. Vehicle is under BMW warranty. Upon inspection, BMW technicians have advised brake master leaked fluid into booster and that they found oil contamination in the master cylinder. This sudden braking failure could have resulted in serious damage and fatalities. (previously experienced auto hold parking brake failure which was not fixed for over a year due to backordered parts.) following the technical diagnosis, BMW is yet to respond to driver. *tr

Showing 300 of 161 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/BMW/X5#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-28. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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