N63TU1 CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT SVC CAMPAIGN: OIL CONSUMPTION DIAGNOSIS/REPAIR
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 BMW X5 engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 BMW X5 have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 X5 (this page) | 11 |
| 2017 X5 | 10 |
| 2018 X5 | 13 |
| 2019 X5 | 40 |
| 2020 X5 | 28 |
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler (with EGR Valve) and the Auxiliary Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 25 years without mileage limit as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The electric auxiliary heater assembly limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The High-Voltage (HV) Battery AssemblysCell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC repair kit-specific) limited warranty fordefects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles asdetermined from the original in-service/first delivery date.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The vehicle demonstrates a power loss and the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on. The following fault codes may be stored in the DDE: 24CE00 Hot film air mass meter: Ratio of measured to calculated air mass too high 27F000 Charge air hose monitoring in idle: Charge air hose fallen down 290900 Air system, air to EGR air mass flow plausibility: Measured air mass compared to calculated air mass too high 290A00 Air system, air to EGR air mass flow plausibility: measured air mass compared to calculated air mass too high and high charging pressure control deviation
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a cluster of engine and cooling issues centered on two major problems: the EGR cooler and widespread electrical/cooling component failures tied to recall 24V608000.
EGR cooler failures (narratives #1, #8) show coolant loss without visible leaks, low coolant warnings, and engine warning lights. One owner had the cooler replaced twice and still experiences coolant loss; BMW has denied coverage despite the active recall 18V-755. Another reports a year without repairs while the dealer continues to confirm low coolant at each service but claims engine diagnostics read fine.
Recall 24V608000 delays dominate narratives #2–6. Multiple owners received recall notices for Engine and Engine Cooling/Electrical System issues but cannot get them repaired because parts are unavailable. Dealers confirm parts are on backorder; owners say BMW has exceeded reasonable timeframes. One owner at 120,000 miles experienced unexpected transmission downshift, unknown liquid leak, and check engine light during the parts delay.
Secondary emission and sensor issues (narratives #7, #9, #10) include crankshaft sensor MIL lights, catalytic converter and O2 sensor failures, drivetrain malfunction codes, and oil leaks causing smoke. One owner with 97,000 miles reports the dealer won't honor a published TSB, citing an 80,000-mile emissions warranty expiration. Another reports an oil leak issue matching a pattern across multiple BMW X5 vehicles.
The common thread: cooling, electrical, and emissions component failures running into warranty disputes and recall execution delays.
Same BMW X5 engine reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
EGR Cooler Failure
Coolant loss into intake system without visible external leaks; coolant mixing with soot creating potential fire risk. Multiple replacement attempts have not resolved leaking.
When: April 2024 reported; generally after extended ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant loss with no visible leaks; Low coolant warning light; Check engine warning light; Symptoms of thermal event risk
Repairs/costs cited: Cooler has been replaced twice; BMW denying further coverage under recall 18V-755 despite active recall status
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 18V-755 active but BMW denied coverage citing cooler already replaced twice or vehicle ineligibility without proper documentation
Recall 24V608000 Part Unavailability and Delayed Repairs
Electrical and cooling system component failures cannot be repaired because manufacturer has not supplied parts to dealers. Owners notified of recall but repair delayed indefinitely.
When: At approximately 120,000–121,000 mileage; notifications issued but parts backorder status ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light; Unexpected transmission downshift; Unknown liquid leaking underneath vehicle; Vehicle starting difficulty
Repairs/costs cited: VIN tool confirms parts unavailable; multiple owners report manufacturer exceeded reasonable timeframe for recall remedy
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 24V608000 issued but repair parts unavailable; cases opened but no resolution timeline
Crankshaft Sensor and Emissions System Faults
MIL lights for crankshaft sensor, catalytic converter, and O2 sensor failures; drivetrain malfunction and Start/Stop malfunction codes.
When: At 97,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Crankshaft sensor MIL light; Catalytic converter MIL light; O2 sensor failure MIL light; Drivetrain malfunction code; Start and Stop malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer refusing to cover repair costs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB published for vehicle but dealer refusing to honor it; claims emissions warranty expired at 8 years/80,000 miles
Oil Leak Causing Smoke
Oil leak causing vehicle to smoke while driving or parked without engine overheating. Appears to be a design issue affecting multiple BMW X5 vehicles.
When: Timeframe not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Smoking from engine bay or underneath vehicle; No overheating despite leak
DEF Transfer Pump Repair
Owner seeking reimbursement for DEF transfer pump repair on 2016 BMW X5.
When: Timeframe not specified
Repairs/costs cited: Repair performed; owner seeking reimbursement
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Oil leak leads to car smoking (but not overheating( while driving or parked. Leak was not caused by owner and same oil leak without car overheating apparent in partner's BMW car. This suggests fundamental issue with BMW not the ower, which BMW should repair without cost to the owner.
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a…
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the…
Had engine trouble with your 2016 BMW X5?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2016 BMW X5?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 118,622 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/BMW/X5.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.