AI Damage2009 BMW X5 SAV: common problems
Owners of the 2009 BMW X5 SAV filed 19 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel/propulsion system and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 19
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel/propulsion system 53% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 37% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 16% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 16% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 11% of all complaints
- 7 Engine and cooling 5% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system: 10 complaints (53% of all).
- Air bags: 7 complaints (37% of all).
- Engine: 3 complaints (16% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (16% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (11% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 19 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
Lost power while cruising at 60 m/hr. Other cars almost hit me when I was trying to move to the side for safety causing lots of traffic. Then went to the bmw dealer (patrict bmw) in schaumburg il for diagnostic and found out there was a problem in the fuel system electrically.
Warning lights appear on the dash - issue is present both moving and stationary. Https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2013/sb-10[phone].pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2013/sb-10[phone].pdf
Sir, bmw installs runflats on all their cars. On this x5 I've replaced these tires 3 or 4 times at my own expense as runflats either get puncture or leak and one can't replace @3/32 oly one.these tires are defective and have not served this suv well.
Driving on the expressway with my 4 year old son and gas pedal would not respond and all of the sudden the dash lights up with dsc 4x4 error also battery light and hand brake light came on. Engine started to accelerating uncontrollably at this time and the check engine light came on with what it seemed as half full .
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).'
While driving 15-20 mph;electromechanical parking brake failure--software glitch that caused the parking brake actuator to failure // yellow & red ( brake & 4x4) warning lights came on for parking brake failure ,brakes locked vx came to immediate stop and would not drive!
Both the airbags are in the takata and the fuel pump creates and extreme risk to me and my family's life. I do not understand why bmw is as a company is keeping these faulty cars on the road. Every time I get in it I am nervous and afraid for my life. Now my wife and kids do not drive with me in the car.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 8,437 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 23% most complained about).
On average one model year of the X5 SAV has 23 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 19, below average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW X5 SAV?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel/propulsion system, air bags, engine. Total complaints: 19. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (32%), warning lights, check engine (26%), A/C or heater (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2009 BMW X5 SAV?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2009 BMW X5 SAV from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2009 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.