Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, transmission, and wipers and visibility. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2023Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2023 BMW X5: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Engine off, key in hand0/3
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2023's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2023 BMW X5. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 4.4L 8-cylGas | AWD | 18 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cylHybrid | AWD, RWD | 23 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cylPlug-in hybrid | AWD | 400 mi range |
NHTSA complaints for the 2023 BMW X5, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Sudden shutdowns while driving are the most serious pattern. The car plays its power-off sound, the accelerator stops responding, and the vehicle coasts until the driver restarts it. Other reports describe a drivetrain warning after a small water spill reached an electrical compartment, a computer failure that followed the car not recognizing its keys, and a sunroof seal that leaks water near the side airbags. One crash involved a rollaway after the driver got out with the car in Neutral and no parking brake set. The owner blames the car for not shifting to Park when the door opens.
Loss of power while driving is the core complaint. A drivetrain malfunction or four-wheel-drive warning appears, and then the car either limits its speed or drops out of gear. Some owners report a cap of 30 mph in fast highway traffic. Others say the car powers down to the screen it shows when switched off, and restarting can take several presses of the start button. Owners also describe a jolt in electric mode followed by erratic engine revving, which ended in a tow. In at least one case, a dealer software update did not stop the problem.
Without warning, the center screen can flicker and go black while the car is moving. Radio, climate controls, cameras and the safety systems tied to the screen all fail with it. The dealer traced one case to corrosion in the head unit at just under 51,000 miles, even though the car had never been flooded. The other complaint is another sunroof explosion, at about 60 mph and around 6,000 miles, with no warning lights. In that case the dealer neither diagnosed nor repaired the car.
Excerpts from complaints X5 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
The vehicle rolled away after the driver exited the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral and the parking brake was not applied. This negligent design flaw is because BMW has chosen to not revert the vehicle to Park if the door is opened like other car manufacturers. A simple software update or design change could prevent a potentially fatal incident caused by BMW’s negligence in this matter.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2023
Two incidents I was driving the vehicle and the notification popped up saying drivetrain error at that moment the Car Detail and I was unable to go over 30 mph while driving in the fast lane on California highways 2/13/2025 3/30/2025
Filed with NHTSA, April 2025
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2023 ranks eighth for owner complaints among 9 X5 years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2023 is the sixth model year of the X5's fourth generation (2018–2023).
Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 8 Series Coupe (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Convertible (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Gran Coupe (850i xDrive, M8), X3 SAV (X3 xDrive30i, X3M), X4 SAV (X4 xDrive30i), X5 SAV (X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M), X6 SAV (X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M), and Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i vehicles. The weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit's cover may not have been manufactured properly, which could allow automatic transmission oil to leak into the transmission control unit.
Risk: Transmission oil that leaks into the control unit can lead to a seizure of the transmission gears, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transmission mechatronics module and the automatic transmission fluid, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 26, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5 M and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The head restraints for the second-row outboard seats may have been improperly manufactured without locking tabs in the guide sleeves. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints.".
Risk: A head restraint without a locking tab may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the second-row outboard seat head restraint guide sleeves, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, X5 M50i and X5 xDrive 45e vehicles. One of the four bolts that connects the backrest to the driver's seat frame may not have been correctly installed.
Risk: A loose driver's seat backrest may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat backrest and if necessary, install an attachment bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 17, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive45e, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle which could allow water to enter the vehicle and contact electrical components, possibly resulting in a short-circuit.
Risk: An electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the windshield seal and as necessary, remove and reinstall the windshield with a new seal, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Cars shoppers compare with the BMW X5, with their own 2023 checklists.
