There are 30 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2009 BMW X5in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The contact owns a 2009 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the engine seized. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was a certified BMW mechanic, where it was diagnosed with VANOS bolts failure. The contact was informed that the VANOS bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. In addition, the contact stated that the dealer confirmed the failure and declined to perform a diagnostic test due to the age of the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.
The contact owns a 2009 BMW X5. The contact stated that after pulling into a parking space there was white smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle and the engine started overheating. The contact added coolant immediately. There were no warning lights illuminated. The failure had occurred twice. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the water pump, thermostat, and heater hoses had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the coolant had leaked out and the engine started overheating. The contact added more coolant to the coolant reservoir; however, the failure recurred 20 miles later. After parking the vehicle, the contact became aware that oil was leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle had not been returned to the mechanic. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure however, the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 230,000.
The contact owns a 2009 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
EGR Cooler leaking soot/exhaust into engine compartment.
CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, EXITED HIGHWAY TO CITY STREET, THEN THE ALERT FOR LOW COOLANT CAME ON. IMMEDIATELY FOUND A PLACE TO PARK TO KEEP ENGINE FROM BEING COMPROMISED. ALLOWED TO COOL, OPENED RESERVOIR AND COOLANT WAS LOW. ADDED ONE GALLON OF APPROVED COOLANT. DROVE FOR 5 MILES. CAR SAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS. STARTED CAR, ALERT CAME BACK ON. CHECKED BENEATH VEHICLE, ALL OF THE COOLANT LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND.
2009 BMW X5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE DIESEL ENGINE VEHICLE. *LD *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X5. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP, THE ENGINE REVVED HIGH AND THE HIGH TEMPERATURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ADDED WATER AND OIL AND CONTINUED DRIVING, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF MONTEREY (831-920-0743, LOCATED AT 1 GEARY PLZ, SEASIDE, CA 93955) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,886. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT OWNERS COST OF $1318. *TR
THE ORIGINAL WATER PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE (3) TIMES IN FOUR (4) YEARS. EACH TIME THE WATER PUMP FAILED COOLANT STARTED LEAKING OUT OF THE PUMP AND THE LOW COOLANT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION FOR EACH OF THE THREE (3) INCIDENCES. THE ORIGINAL PUMP WAS REPLACED IN 2015 AND THE THIRD PUMP REPLACED IN JUNE, 2019.
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IDLE IT WILL HAVE A WHITE SMOKE THAT COMES OUT THE TAIL PIPE. ALSO LOOSING ANTI FREEZE FREQUENTLY
ENGINE FAILURE WITH LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND PISTON ROD BREAKING OFF THE CRANK CASE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60-65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY
I BOUGHT MY 2009 BMW X5 VEHICLE IN JUNE 2018, WITH APPROXIMATELY 61,630 MILES AND A LIMITED WARRANTY WITH 'POWER TRAIN COVERAGE', WHICH INCLUDED 'ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, FRONT WHEEL DRIVE, AND REAR WHEEL DRIVE'. IN MID-OCTOBER 2018, MY VEHICLE BEGAN SHOWING THE 'LOW COOLANT LEVEL' LIGHT AND 'LOW OIL LEVEL' LIGHT. I CALLED THE FLOW BMW DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON 10/19/18. FLOW BMW DIAGNOSED A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR. AFTER CONTACTING THE WARRANTY COMPANY (ASSURE) THE WARRANTY COMPANY INFORMED THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF A NEW RADIATOR ($1,300.00) BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE LIMITED WARRANTY UNDER 'POWER TRAIN COVERAGE'. THE RADIATOR IS ONE OF THE ENGINE'S UNSUNG HEROES. IT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR ESSENTIAL HEAT EXCHANGE FUNCTIONS IN YOUR CAR'S COOLING SYSTEM. THE NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE OF THE AVERAGE CAR ENGINE IS AROUND 190-210 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. WITH A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR, THE INCREASED HEAT STARTS TO WEAR ON OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS, AND THE RESULTING STRESS CAN SHORTEN ENGINE LIFE DRAMATICALLY. THE COOLANT SYSTEM IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL TO KEEPING THE ENGINE RUNNING. THIS IS A DANGER TO THE DRIVER AND TO OTHERS ON THE ROAD. THE RADIATOR ISSUE AND INEVITABLE ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD IF THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE SEIZES ARE STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I LEARNED THAT OTHER BMW CUSTOMERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE RADIATORS IN BMWS FROM THE YEARS 2007-2013 (DOCUMENTS ATTACHED). AGAIN, THE RADIATOR IS A VITAL PART OF ENSURING THAT THE ENGINE RUNS APPROPRIATELY, AND IF THERE IS EVIDENCE OF CONSISTENT LEAKING WITH BMW VEHICLES WITH VERY FEW MILES DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ERROR, THEN THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTATION FOR MORE INFORMATION.
I AM SMELLING EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR HEALTH EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. THE MORE THE CABIN HEAT IS APPLIED, THE MORE EXHAUST SMELL IS NOTICEABLE. I FOUND MANY FORUMS ONLINE RELATED TO THE SAME ISSUE ON 2009 AND UP DIESEL POWERED BMW X5 XDRIVE35D. PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT FAULTY EGR COOLERS, LEAKING TURBOS ETC. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND CORRECTED. THANK YOU.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V336000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. FERMAN BMW (31400 US HWY 19 N, PALM HARBOR, FL 34684, (727) 400-3542) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
The contact owns a 2009 BMW X5. The contact stated that upon turning the heater on, there was a strong burning odor coming from the A/C vents. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was diagnosed as a burning oil odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the intake gasket was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the fan relay. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact contacted the local dealer and a second dealer, Hansel BMW of Santa Rosa (2925 Corby Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95407), and was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The mileage was approximately 103,000. The VIN was not available. The consumer stated the dealer replaced the fuel pump under the recall.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BMW OF FAIRFAX (8427 LEE HWY, FAIRFAX, VA 22031) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
CRITICAL FAILURE/ CRACK OF THE COOLANT RESERVE TANK. NO PRIOR INDICATION OF LEAK. TANK SPLIT OPEN AND LOST ALL COOLANT WHEN PARKED. SEARCHED ONLINE AND SEE A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED SAME PROBLEM. POTENTIAL FOR ENGINE DAMAGE SIGNIFICANT. NON DEALER COST TO REPLACE $400 AND READ OTHER HAVE HAD DEALER REPLACEMENT COST $800.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN / RECALL FROM BMW SI B16 0102 WHICH I OBTAINED FROM THE NHTSA WEBSITE. MY BMW, [XXX], WAS SHOWING AN EMISSIONS FAULT CODE RELATED TO THE PART ADDRESSED IN THE UNLIMITED AGE/MILEAGE TSB. I WENT TO THE DEALER REGARDING THIS ITEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT CAN BE DONE AT AROUND 110,000 MILES IN APRIL OF 2017. I WAS INFORMED THE PART IS NOT IN STOCK. WHEN I RETURNED IN JUNE TO SEE ABOUT THE SERVICE BEING DONE, I WAS, AGAIN, TOLD THE PART WAS NOT IN STOCK - AND THAT I ALSO DO NOT QUALIFY AS THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 130,000 MILES, AND THE NEW BULLETIN HAS A MILEAGE CUTOFF OF 120,000 MILES. I WAS INFORMED I COULD CONTACT BMW DIRECTLY AND DISCUSS A 'HARDSHIP.' UPON CONTACTING BMW DIRECTLY, I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP. I AM ATTACHING THE ORIGINAL TSB AND UPDATED TSB FOR THE DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID ISSUE. I AM ALSO ATTACHING THE RESPONSE FROM BMW. ADDITIONALLY, MY VEHICLE IS NOW EXHIBITING PROBLEMS WITH THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, ANOTHER COVERED EMISSIONS ITEM FOR UNLIMITED MILEAGE; AND AM NOT SEEING ANY RESOLVE FOR THAT. THE TSB IS ATTACHED. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE, A BURNING ODOR EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE VENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LAUDERDALE BMW OF PEMBROKE PINES DEALER, LOCATED ON 14800 SHERIDAN PINES, FL 33028, PHONE: (954) 620-5050, WHERE IT WAS REJECTED TO BE SERVICED DUE TO THE REMEDY PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT AND VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PART NOT AVAILABLE.
ON OCT 1/2008 THERE WAS A BOLETTIN SAYING THAT WATERPUMP AND THERMOSTAT WERE DEFECTED. BUT BWM IS JUST REPLACING THE ONES UNDER DIESEL FUEL. THERE IS MORE GASOLINE FUEL X5'S CARS THAN DIESEL. WHY THEY DONT JUST FIX THE ONES WITH THIS ISSUE? THERE IS ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT ON THE WEB.
Showing 1–20 of 30 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026