AI Damage2019 BMW X5: common problems
Owners of the 2019 BMW X5 filed 193 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. The maker issued 343 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 193
- involving a crash
- 4
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 343
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 37% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 27% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 6 Engine and cooling 6% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- 8 Seat belts 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 72 complaints (37% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 114.
- Engine: 52 complaints (27% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 18.
- Powertrain: 19 complaints (10% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Steering: 18 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 16.
- Service brakes: 13 complaints (7% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 4.4 L · petrol · turbo · 8 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 193 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 72 | 1 | 114 |
| Engine | 52 | 2 | 18 |
| Powertrain | 19 | 2 | 7 |
| Steering | 18 | 0 | 16 |
| Service brakes | 13 | 4 | 7 |
| Engine and cooling | 12 | 0 | 36 |
| Air bags | 12 | 0 | 11 |
| Seat belts | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| Structure | 6 | 0 | 40 |
| Backover prevention | 6 | 0 | 11 |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 0 | 9 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 5 | 0 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 24 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I was turning left on a residential street when the steering wheel locked, the brakes would not work to stop the car from going straight and the engine would not turn off when I attempted to stop the engine once realizing that everything was failing.
Traveling west on I-70 at the Eagle Colorado exit the brakes failed as we pulled off the highway the brakes failed. Went up the ramp at 50-60 MPH. Missed the cars waiting to enter the round-a-bout and went over a decorative divider about 3 feet high. Went in the air and was then traveling on the wrong side of street.
Two weeks ago a safety recall notice popped up on my infotainment screen. It said it was about the engine starter and when scrolling down to the additional information said that if the engine starts fire to exit the cabin if it fills with smoke. I put my Vin number into your website and my car pulled up.
My 2019 BMW X5 suffered an identical failure to the 2023-2025 recalls to replace the entire integrated brake system unit at only 31,117 miles. The part # was 34-51-5-A7C-589. The repair work was performed by [dealer] at a cost of $4,134.37 on 8/3/2024.
Initially I was getting really bad jerking in my car when turning. I was recommended by BMW of [XXX] to do a fluid flush. I have spent money to do this flush. Starting of August my mechanic as well as other mechanics that my transfer case is in really bad condition and is making really bad noises.
The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the engine oil pump and TCB module were faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000.
As a result, both the Blind Spot Detection and Lane Departure Warning functions are deactivated, and a warning message indicating that driver assistance support is restricted appears on the display.
A primary indicator of failure is the vehicle's inability to complete an electronic oil level measurement, quickly followed by a critical "Low Oil Pressure: Stop Engine" warning. This defect poses an immediate and severe hazard to motor vehicle safety.
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 341 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 16% most complained about).
On average one model year of the X5 has 87 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 193, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- BMW Notice of the Court’s Final Approval for Shark-Fin Antenna Settlement (X3, X4, X5, X6, X7)
- Rear Roof Antenna Shark Fin Cover Sealing Issue
- The manual starting of electronic engine oil level measurement from inside the vehicle, usually…
The manual starting of electronic engine oil level measurement from inside the vehicle, usually afterperforming an engine oil service task, is inoperative or it may lock up at between a 15% to 30% completionrate.
- The NVLD modules limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15…
The NVLD modules limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the vehicles original in-service / first delivery date.
- The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has…
The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
- In the affected vehicles, an incorrect screwlocking device (circled) may have been usedfor the mounting…
In the affected vehicles, an incorrect screwlocking device (circled) may have been usedfor the mounting bolts of the door latch locks.
- SHARK FIN ROOF ANTENNA SEALING SETTLEMENT Extended Warranty
- The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been…
The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.
- The Radiator Grilles Lower Active Air Flap Assembly limited warranty for defects in materials and/or…
The Radiator Grilles Lower Active Air Flap Assembly limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery…
- CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT
F95 F96 G05 G06 G07 FRONT CENTER CONSOLE CUPHOLDER
- The limited warranty for the Knee Air Bag wire harness repair cable procedure for defects in materials…
The limited warranty for the Knee Air Bag wire harness repair cable procedure for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service /…
- For this vehicle, the engine coolant thermostat limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship…
For this vehicle, the engine coolant thermostat limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years/150,000 miles, as determined from the original in-service date.
NHTSA lists 343 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 BMW X5?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, powertrain. Total complaints: 193. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: won't start (13%), warning lights, check engine (13%), overheating, coolant loss (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 BMW X5?
NHTSA lists 343 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 2019 BMW X5 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 2019 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 2026-11-04.