2024 BMW X5: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 134 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the brakes, transmission, and electrical. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2024- Owner complaints
- 134
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes reported
- 7
- 3 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2024 BMW X5: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/5
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
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.
Which X5 is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2024 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | AWD, RWD | 25 mpg |
| 4.4L 8-cyl | AWD | 19 mpg |
- The 2024 BMW X5 was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- On the hybrid, watch for the car moving off on electric power at low speed and for any hybrid system warning on the dash.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A X5 that averages well under the EPA 19 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Early drivetrain and high-voltage failure
157–2,000 miles
Repeat drivetrain malfunction warnings
12,000–14,065 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2024 BMW X5, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Brakes722 crashes
Braking power assist drops out, so the pedal takes more force and the SUV takes longer to stop. Some reports describe abrupt deceleration in traffic or a warning that the parking brake is unavailable, often with no warning light beforehand. Two complaints involve crashes at parking-lot speeds. Most filings concern recall 24V104000 for the Integrated Brake System. Owners say repair parts have been unavailable for months, in several cases more than a year, and dealers cannot give a repair date.
Transmission15No crashes
A Drivetrain Malfunction warning appears, usually alongside a high-voltage system fault, and the SUV loses power or will not move. Nearly every report involves the xDrive50e plug-in hybrid. Failures strike on highways, on-ramps, and during turns, leaving owners stranded or towed. Many begin within the first 2000 miles, and repeat episodes appear around 12,000 to 14,065 miles. Dealer fixes range from software updates and system resets to correcting a misrouted wiring harness, and the fault often returns. Other reports mention battery cooling faults and a coolant smell in the cabin.
Electrical131 crash
High-voltage faults on the 50e hybrid stop the car or keep it from starting. Dealers replace the combined charging unit, the battery management unit, or the high-voltage battery control module, and parts shipped from Germany keep cars in service for weeks. Check engine lights return repeatedly after charging-related repairs. Other reports cover a DSC unit draining the battery, an instrument panel going dark while driving, and a rear cross traffic alert that never warns. One crash involves the parking assist system failing to stop before a garage wall.
Stability control91 crash
Power brake assist drops out without any warning light, and one report links this to a crash at about 15 mph. Another describes a stop-and-use-parking-brake message while driving, with the transmission shifting itself into neutral. Loss of control under braking also appears. Most complaints, though, are about recall 24V104000: owners report the repair parts are unavailable, and dealers and the manufacturer confirm the shortage without a fix date.
Engine4No crashes
A drivetrain malfunction disables the SUV, sometimes after a reduced-power warning and sometimes with no warning at all, and the car has to be towed. Failures show up very early, under 200 miles in two reports. Dealers trace one case to a defective combined charging unit back-ordered from Germany, leaving the car out of service for weeks. Losses of motive power after a dealer repair and a check engine light returning after a battery-related valve replacement are also reported.
Steering32 crashes
Loss of braking and stability control sits behind two crash reports here, both citing Integrated Brake System fault codes recorded before the crash. One involves a rollover on a wet highway that injured the driver and totaled the car. The other describes sliding into a turning car despite braking early. Warning lights flash briefly or not at all before these events. A separate report describes a steering effort warning that required replacing the steering module.
Wipers and visibility3No crashes
Glass breaks without any impact. The fixed rear sunroof panel shatters at highway speed with a loud bang, spraying small splinters through the cabin and causing an injury. A windshield cracks while parked during extreme heat. Separately, the A/C vent trim reflects in the side mirrors and blocks the driver's view, and the dealer declines to replace the trim under warranty.
Airbags21 crash
Nothing deploys when another vehicle t-boans the passenger side at about 40 mph, a crash that totaled the SUV and left the driver with a concussion at roughly 21,000 miles. A separate report describes a driver restraint malfunction warning traced to a short in the knee air bag harness. The dealer cites service bulletin SIB 65-27-24 and quotes $2,013.72 to replace the harness, most of it labor. Only two complaints are on file.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints X5 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
The braking system started malfunctioning. it was taking a longer distance and longer time to bring the car to a stop. All of a sudden there was a thump and warning lights came on. The warning light said the parking brake was no longer operable and was not available to help brake the car. The 2024 BMW X5 only has about 6,200 miles on it when this happened..
Filed with NHTSA, September 2024
Safety features did not work. I was parking and when brakes were pressed car accelerated instead of stopping, plowing into the car ahead and two additional cars. No automatic braking, no manual braking. The car is now in a BMW shop for repairs and evaluation. My warning features did not activate.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2024
Drivetrain malfunction error that disabled the vehicle. Software update done by dealer, but dealer is unsure if that is the repair. Many other owners of the 50e are having issues. All are related to the high voltage battery system. Car will not operate when error occurs. BMW has refused to publish a TSB.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2024
I took ownership of the vehicle on 12/23/23 and Had a Drivetrain and High Voltage warning on 1/13/24. Dealer took vehicle on 1/18/24 with approximately 925 miles and returned vehicle on 1/22/24. On 1/25/24 I now have a check engine light on. I am not sure what can be done to fix this, but I am very concerned that this will be an ongoing issue with no resolution.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2024
As I was turning into a disabled parking space the vehicle speed suddenly increased speed by itself and hitting the brakes had no effect on the speed. This caused the vehicle to hit a concrete pillar that held the handicap parking sign
Filed with NHTSA, April 2025
How the 2024 compares with other X5 years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2024 ranks second for owner complaints among 9 X5 years, about 2.1 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Brakes724
- Transmission1510
- Electrical1314
- Stability control90
- Engine49
- Steering34
Recalls to confirm (7)
Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
24V739000Stability controlOct 2024
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, X5, X6, X7, XM, 530i, i5, 740i, 760i, i7, and 750e vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) systems to not function properly.
Risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed November 22, 2024. Second letters will be mailed once the parts are available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicles in this recall were previously repaired under recall number 24V-104 and will need to have the new remedy completed.
24V697000Stability controlSep 2024
BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, 2024-2025 X5, 2025 X6, 2023-2025 X7, 740i, 760i, 2024 XM, 530i, 540i, i7, 750e, X2, 2024-2025 i5, 2024 Rolls Royce Spectre, 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4, JCW Countryman ALL4, and 2025 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S) vehicles. Please refer to the recall report for the complete list of models. The welds in the servomotor of the integrated brake control module may break, causing a loss of power brake assist and rear brake function. In addition, the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system may not function.
Risk: A loss of brake power assist or rear brake function can result in extended stopping distance. A loss of ABS or DSC can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 13, 2024. Owners can contact BMW Customer Service at 1-800-525-7417.
24V327000EquipmentMay 2024
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024-2025 X5 xDrive40i vehicles. The tire information placard may indicate an incorrect tire size and tire pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims.".
Risk: Incorrect tire information can allow an incorrectly sized tire to be installed or result in improperly inflated tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the tire information placard, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
24V138000Body and structureFeb 2024
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The instrument panel may not have been manufactured properly, which can result in improper air bag deployment or the panel separating during air bag deployment.
Risk: Instrument panel separation during air bag deployment can result in pieces of the panel striking occupants. Improper air bag deployment may not restrain an occupant as intended during a crash. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the instrument panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
24V104000Stability controlFeb 2024
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2025 BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) systems to not function properly.
Risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between June and December 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls Royce customer service at 1-877-877-3735.
23V622000AirbagsSep 2023
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 BMW XM, 2024 BMW X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 M60i, X5 M, X5 xDrive50e, X6 xDrive40i, X6 M60i, X6 M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M60i, and Alpina XB7 vehicles. The front passenger knee air bag may not deploy as intended.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front passenger knee air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 3, 2023. Owners may contact BMW's customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
23V471000AirbagsJul 2023
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 M60i, X5 M, xDrive 50e, 2024 X6 xDrive40i, X6 M60i, X6 M, 2024 X7 xDrive40i, X7 M60i, Alpina XB7, and 2023 XM vehicles. The knee air bag (driver and/or passenger) may not have been manufactured correctly, which can result in the knee air bag not deploying as intended.
Risk: A knee air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the knee air bag (driver and/or passenger), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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2024 owner complaints, side by side
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