AI Damage2021 BMW X5: common problems
Owners of the 2021 BMW X5 filed 110 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. The maker issued 287 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 110
- involving a crash
- 9
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 287
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 35% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 28% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 23% of all complaints
- 4 Backover prevention 8% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 6% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- 8 Forward collision avoidance 5% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 38 complaints (35% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 87.
- Powertrain: 31 complaints (28% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Engine: 25 complaints (23% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Backover prevention: 9 complaints (8% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Engine and cooling: 7 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 26.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4.4 L · petrol · turbo · 8 cyl
- 3 L · hybrid · turbo · 6 cyl
- 3 L · plug-in hybrid · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: AWD, RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 110 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 | 38 | 1 | 87 |
| Powertrain | 31 | 3 | 8 |
| Engine | 25 | 2 | 10 |
| Backover prevention | 9 | 2 | 7 |
| Engine and cooling | 7 | 0 | 26 |
| Air bags | 7 | 3 | 12 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Structure | 4 | 2 | 35 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 20 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| Lane departure | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
2021 X5 M50i: The driver's knee airbag deployed in a crash and lacerated my left lower leg down to the muscle and abraded most of the layers of skin on my right shin. I was taken to the ER by ambulance. The laceration could only be partially sutured together. There was no shrapnel in the wounds.
The contact stated that while sitting in the vehicle and with the vehicle running, it suddenly accelerated on its own. As a result, the vehicle jolted into traffic and collided first with a bicyclist before continuing on to collide with the rear of another vehicle. The bicyclist sustained minor injuries.
In a parking garage I found a open space and slowly moving towards that to park, car was approaching space at about 10 ft from that, all of a sudden car accelerated and lurched forward and hit the parking structure wall.
My daughter was driving a vehicle and she was moving to another lane in the process. Car is capable and feature with automatic emergency breaking for front collision. During entire process she didn’t take action for some reason and car collided with another vehicle. Emergency brake didn't full stop vehicle.
The air bags did not deploy. I sent an email to the company and the incident was reported to the police. The vehicle was determined to be a total loss by New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance company after being inspected by the collision company.
The contact stated the Park Distance Control (PDC) malfunction warning light was illuminated. No air bags were deployed. The driver did not have any injuries or seek medical attention. A police report was not filed. The contact was able to park the vehicle back into his residence.
There was no dashboard warning light, Check Control message, or advance alert. I noticed serious mechanical symptoms and immediately pulled over rather than continue driving.
My 2021 BMW X5 xDrive40i intermittently fails to start, occurring on approximately 80% of start attempts, and displays the message "Repeat Start Attempt." This has been confirmed by code reading to be a starter-related malfunction.
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 536 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).
On average one model year of the X5 has 87 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 110, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Backover prevention. Rear camera and parking sensors after a rear impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- 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 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.
- A check control message (CCM) for the restraint system (Air bag) appears
In the instrument cluster, the redair bag warning light lights up permanently. One of the following fault codes is stored in the ACSM (air bag control unit): 930949 - Knee airbag, driver: Short circuit to negative…
- The center console and front cup holder get noticeably too warm to the touch on long journeys with the…
The center console and front cup holder get noticeably too warm to the touch on long journeys with the interior "Heating on".
- 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…
- A vehicle listed above may arrive with a Check Control Message (CCM), and/or malfunction indicator…
A vehicle listed above may arrive with a Check Control Message (CCM), and/or malfunction indicator lamp(MIL) illuminated. After carrying out the vehicle test, one or more of the stored faults indicate that the…
- A groaning noise is present from the door frame of any door, most commonly when driving over rough roadsor…
A groaning noise is present from the door frame of any door, most commonly when driving over rough roadsor during body flex. This situation may be worse in vehicles which are regularly waxed in th e area of the door…
- A check control message is displayed, indicating that the parking assistance systems have…
A check control message is displayed, indicating that the parking assistance systems have limitedfunctionality due to errors detected within PDC sensors. The warning indicates parking assistance featureshave limited…
- CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT
F95 F96 G05 G06 G07 FRONT CENTER CONSOLE CUPHOLDER
- The belt pulley on the mechanical coolant pump may fracture allowing the engine drive belt to come off…
The belt pulley on the mechanical coolant pump may fracture allowing the engine drive belt to come off thecoolant pump and alternator.
NHTSA lists 287 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 2021 BMW X5?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, engine. Total complaints: 110. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (21%), smoke, burning smell, fire (10%), jerking, harsh shifts (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 BMW X5?
NHTSA lists 287 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 2021 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 2021 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.