2015 BMW X5 Problems And Complaints

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Rating8.4

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Midsize SUV
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$53,900 - $70,100
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Users Opinions on 2015 BMW X5

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Disliked by Users

  • C

    coltthecoonhound

    07/06/2022

    Rating:

    (1 Out Of 5 stars)

    ... manufacturer by not letting the solvents of the under laying paints properly cure before sealing with the clear coat. There is absolutely nothing anyone could do to create these defects under the clear coat, which is smooth, shiny and 100% intact. There are what appear as appx 100 tinny sand marks in the paint, under the clear. The issue was explained to me as beingRead More

    Source: edmunds

  • F

    Fred

    09/12/2015

    Rating:

    (1 Out Of 5 stars)

    I purchased an x5 35d and after 600 miles the check engine light came on. Took it to the dealer and it was determined that it has a faulty sensor. But because it's a diesel they don't stock theRead More

    Source: edmunds

2015 BMW X5 Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

145

Complaints
Overall Safety Rating
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on August 7, 2024

The BMW X5 has enjoyed ascendancy in the luxury midsize SUV segment for a while since there was far little competition to compete against. This would be the reason why BMW let their 2015 X5 have some issues that could have been easily rectifiable mid-manufacturing. Although the 2015 BMW X5 provides you with the luxury, performance, and status you would desire, is it safe? The official records show 6 recalls and 74 complaints. Most recalls would make the occupant's life miserable, as they majorly deal with the airbags and coolant leaks that can cause a fire. The complaints as well are correlated to these recalls, and how difficult it is to get them fixed in a reasonable period. How does the 2015 X5 compete against the likes of the Acura MDX, the Audi Q7, and the Mercedes-Benz ML 350? Let’s find out. 

2015 BMW X5 User Complaints and Problems

Mechanical Problems

  • Engine fires and recalls- If we had a dollar for every complaint about the “EGR coolant leak” recalls taking a ridiculous amount of time to get fixed, we wouldn’t have much. But, it is still worth noting how careless the manufacturer is in getting the parts ready on time. Others found out about the recall the hard way when their engine caught on fire due to the coolant leaking. There were also a few complaints about the engine failing, broken valves, and oil leaks. There are currently two recalls made for now about the “EGR coolant leaks”, you can refer to NHTSA ID: 21V907000 and 18V755000 for more details.
  • Powertrain hesitation- Some users have complained about the vehicle hesitating in shifting gears, sometimes causing the vehicle to jerk or abruptly going to neutral when it was supposed to be in the drive or park mode. No further information regarding the problem has been provided.
  • Steering failure-  Though this issue is relatively less recurring, it is concerning to understand that the drivers would lose control of their vehicle when they make a turn, as their steering fails to respond to the driver’s input. So far no solutions or reasons as to why this happens have been provided. .

Electrical Problems

  • Electrical malfunction- Multiple warning messages and “passenger restraint system malfunction”, along with the entire electrical system shutting down abruptly are some of the issues faced by the users. This would be co-related to the structural issue mentioned below.
  • Short circuit due to moisture accumulation- Users would get a notification about “passenger restraint system malfunction" due to moisture buildup when it rains, especially in the rear where the electrical systems are mostly located. In some cases, this has caused some vehicles to short circuit and catch on fire in this area. BMW has not provided any solutions, and dealerships are reported to ask for a lot of money to fix the problems.

Safety Problems

  • Airbag system concerns- Among the 2015 BMW X5 problems, buyers have reported two issues with the airbag system. The first problem is concerned with the non-deployment of the airbags, which has resulted in injuries in a couple of cases. However, for other users, whether or not their SUV qualifies under the TAKATA recall is a confusing and worrying concern. Currently, there is no help provided by the brand.

2015 BMW X5 Recalls

S. No

Date

NHTSA ID

Issues Noticed

Additional remarks.

Remedy

1

November 19 2021

21V907000

Coolant leaking inside the EGR might cause a fire.

 

SAV diesel vehicles are equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. This EGR system's cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, resulting in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold.

Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and replace the intake manifold for free.

2

July 29 2021

21V586000

High-pressure fuel pump fail failure

The high pressured fuel pump might fail, resulting in the engine stalling.

Your dealership will replace the high-pressure fuel pump for free.

3

October 25 2018

18V755000

Coolant leaking inside the EGR might cause a fire.

SAV diesel vehicles are equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. This EGR system's cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, resulting in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold.

Your BMW dealership will inspect and replace the EGR cooler as necessary. If a leak has already occurred, the engine intake manifold will also be replaced, all for free.

4

September 21 2016

16V683000

Incorrectly welded driver airbag inflator.

The affected vehicles have a driver's frontal airbag inflator that may have been improperly welded. As a result, would cause the airbags to separate from the housing, and would let the occupant hit the metal plate, which can lead to serious injury or death.

Your dealership will replace the driver's front airbag for free.

5

March 13 2015

15V147000

Head protection system airbag improper inflation.

In the affected vehicles, the Head Protection System (HPS), the airbag may not be securely connected to the airbag inflator gas generator.

BMW will notify owners, and your dealers will replace the Head Protection System for free.

6

October 17 2014

14V65000

Left rear seat frame steel plate.

In the vehicles equipped with the optional rear comfort seat, the left rear seat belt attachment point may not have been sufficiently welded.

The dealership will replace the left rear seat frame, free of charge.

Should you buy the 2015 BMW X5

Though there are far few complaints officially for the 2015 BMW X5, the recalls can be concerning. If that was not enough, users have stated how difficult it is to deal with the dealership on getting these recalls fixed as well. These recalls when not fixed have caused the engine to catch up on fire. Not to mention the water leaking into the vehicle causing electrical malfunction and even short circuits leading to fires. The 2015 BMW X5's common problems are few but still a worrisome matter nonetheless. We would suggest for you go for the 2015 Acura MDX. The Acura SUV has few recalls, fewer complaints, and still maintains a 5- star NHTSA safety rating.

  • Complaints
  • Recalls
  • Investigations
  • Manufacturer Communications

July 15, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11673688

Components: 074000 FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (PWS)

NHTSA ID Number:
11673688

Incident Date:
July 15, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
5UXKS4C55F0

Consumer Location:
MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Summary
My high pressure fuel pump failed. There is a recall affecting these [XXX] ) but apparently my car even ...

June 17, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11667370

Components: 060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

NHTSA ID Number:
11667370

Incident Date:
June 17, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
5UXKS4C51F0

Consumer Location:
FLUSHING, NY

Summary
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine...

May 11, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11660268

Components: 140000 AIR BAGS

NHTSA ID Number:
11660268

Incident Date:
May 11, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
5UXKS4C51F0

Consumer Location:
ANAHEIM, CA

Summary
I was making a left turn in stopped traffic. Lanes 1 and 2 yielded die to bumper to bumper traffic...as ...

February 6, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11641132

Components: 060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

NHTSA ID Number:
11641132

Incident Date:
February 6, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
5UXKR2C57F0

Consumer Location:
LAKE JACKSON, TX

Summary
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that the water pump remained running while the vehicle...

February 5, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11640864

Components: 150000 SEAT BELTS

NHTSA ID Number:
11640864

Incident Date:
February 5, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
5UXKR0C54F0

Consumer Location:
ROCKFORD, MI

Summary
one seat belt in the BACK SEAT on PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT PULL out . stay stuck . can pull out...

81/100Best

Quality & Reliability

Assesses the extent of issues, glitches, and design imperfections encountered by...

84/100Best

Driving Experience

Owners' assessments regarding the vehicle's design, performance, comfort, functi...

78/100Best

Resale

CARHP's projection of depreciation, which estimates the probable decrease in the...

0/100Worst

Dealership Experience

Owners' interactions with dealerships associated with this brand, encompassing b...

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