Used BMW X5: Inspection checklist

Pick the model year you are going to see. Each sheet lists the checks for the problems owners reported on that year, in the order you would do them at the car. Owners filed 647 complaints across these 9 years; the 2019 drew the most.

Choose a model year

Problems that follow the X5 from year to year

Each of these is a top-three complaint area in at least two model years. Darker cells mean more complaints that year. Whatever year you are looking at, give these extra time.

Area	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026	Total
Transmission	9	14	10	19	14	4	15	7	2	94
Electrical	6	45	20	22	7	5	13	4		122
Engine	12	30	20	7	3		4			76
Brakes		4	3		3		72	23		105

X5 generations and updates

First years of a new generation and mid-cycle updates are marked. Each year links to its checklist.

Fourth generation
2018–2023
Third generation
2013–2018
- 2018

Mileages where X5 problems start

From owner reports for each model year, lowest mileage first. Compare these with the odometer of the car you are seeing.

Typical mileage	Problem	Year
157–2,000 miles	Early drivetrain and high-voltage failure	2024
12,000–14,065 miles	Repeat drivetrain malfunction warnings	2024
21,000–70,381 miles	Water pump coolant leak	2022
30,000–56,000 miles	Starter failure, hard starts	2021
31,000–80,000 miles	Starter failure, no-start	2020
35,000–80,000 miles	Water pump coolant leak	2021
35,000–90,000 miles	Oil pump failure	2019
36,000–47,500 miles	Passenger restraint system warning	2019
36,400–47,000 miles	Front differential failure	2021
43,234–80,100 miles	Starter failure, no-start	2019
57,000–72,000 miles	Transmission and drivetrain failure	2018
69,000–74,000 miles	EGR, thermostat, turbo failures	2018