Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2020 Bmw X5 — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2026 to Dec 2024
The most reported issue is engine and engine cooling,electrical system problems (12 complaints). 3 complaints involved crashes. 6 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (11)
NHTSA Campaign: 19V631000
Component: STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i and X7 M50i vehicles. The steering rack pinion teeth may break under load, resulting in a loss of steering control.
Risk: A loss of steering control increases risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA Campaign: 21V096000
Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA Campaign: 19V684000
Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
NHTSA Campaign: 20V434000
Component: STEERING
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i and X5 xDrive50i vehicles and 2020 X6M vehicles. The steering column shaft bearing plate may not have been properly attached to the vehicle, allowing it to loosen.
Risk: A loose bearing plate can affect the vehicle's handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering column shaft bearing plate and properly attach or replace it, as necessary, free of charge. BMW telephoned owners and all of the vehicles have been remedied. No owner notification letter is necessary. Please contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA Campaign: 20V528000
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X6 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M, X7 M50i and 2021 X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The headlamps may allow a blue light to illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Oncoming drivers may be confused by the blue light of approaching vehicles, which could potentially increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlamps and, if necessary, replace them, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA Campaign: 21V062000
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, and 2021 M3, M3 Competition, M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, X5 xDrive45e, 745 Le xDrive. The rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and could separate during a hard braking event, possibly resulting in a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and braking assistance.
Risk: A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA Campaign: 20V465000
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive 40i, X5 xDrive 40i and one X7 xDrive 40i vehicle. The starter motor may have an extra bolt that could potentially fall into the transmission housing and cause an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the starter motor for the extra bolt, removing it if necessary. Dealers will also inspect the starter for damage, and check if the bolt has fallen into the transmission housing, replacing any damaged parts as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 2, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA Campaign: 20V678000
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i and X6M vehicles and 2021 X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket may separate.
Risk: If the weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket separates, vehicle handling and control may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle support, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA Campaign: 22V267000
Component: VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive); 2019-2022 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M; 2021-2022 X5 xdrive45e; 2020-2022 X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6M and 2019-2023 X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, X7 xDrive60i, X7 M60i, X7M, Alpina XB7 vehicles. The roof function control unit may be programmed incorrectly, allowing the sunroof to close without the key fob present inside the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Risk: A sunroof that closes without the key fob present inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the roof function control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA Campaign: 24V576000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5, X7, 2020 3 Series Sedan, X6, 2020-2021 7 Series Sedan, 2020 8 Series Convertible, 8 Series Coupe, and 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. In the event the starter motor fails, repeated attempts to start the vehicle can cause the starter motor to overheat from an electrical overload.
Risk: A starter motor that overheats can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA Campaign: 25V644000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 340I, X6, 2020-2025 840I, 2020-2022 740LI, 2019-2020 X7, and X5 vehicles. After repeated attempts, the starter motor may overheat from an electrical overload.
Risk: An overheated starter motor can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. This recall includes vehicles repaired under recall 24V576 and those owners will need to have their vehicle repaired again. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 17, 2025.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 91)
Engine →6 issues
Your engine's oil pump contains plastic parts that can crack or break down from heat, causing a sudden loss of oil pressure. If this happens while you're driving, your engine can completely seize without warning, leaving you stranded and losing power steering. This creates a serious safety risk, especially at highway speeds. The fix would involve replacing the oil pump module with a more durable version.
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Your engine's oil pump contains plastic parts that can crack or break down from heat, causing it to suddenly fail while you're driving. When this happens, your engine loses oil pressure and can seize completely, leaving you without power steering and engine power at any moment. The engine can fail without warning, which could cause you to lose control or get stranded in traffic. Fixing this typically involves replacing the entire oil pump module with a more durable unit.
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Your 2020 BMW X5 may have an oil pump made of plastic materials that can crack and fail, especially in cold weather or during cold starts. When this happens, oil stops flowing properly to your engine, which can cause it to seize without warning—leaving you stranded. You might notice your oil level won't display on the dashboard, erratic oil pressure readings, or oil warning lights that come and go. Fixing this typically involves replacing the oil pump with a more durable component.
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Your 2020 BMW X5 may have an engine oil pump with an internal plastic component that can crack, especially during cold starts in winter weather. When this happens, your engine may lose oil pressure suddenly with little warning, potentially causing engine damage or your vehicle to shut down while driving. Fixing this issue typically requires replacing the oil pump, which involves significant engine disassembly and can cost $6,000–$8,000 or more.
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Your engine has an oil pump with an internal plastic part that can crack without warning, especially during cold starts in winter. When this happens, your oil pressure drops suddenly or becomes unstable, which can cause your engine to shut down while driving or damage the engine from lack of oil. You may notice warning lights about oil level or drivetrain problems before it fails completely. Fixing this requires replacing the entire oil pump, which involves major engine disassembly.
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While driving at highway speed, your dashboard warning light told you to immediately pull over and turn off the engine due to low oil pressure. The dealership diagnosed a failed oil pump, which costs about $6,000 to replace, though they couldn't guarantee this would fully fix the problem and suggested a complete engine replacement ($28,000) might be necessary. According to your research, this is a known issue affecting multiple BMW owners, and the manufacturer has since switched from plastic to metal parts in later model years. Fixing this will require replacing the oil pump and possibly inspecting or replacing the entire engine.
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Power Train →4 issues
Your front differential has failed. This is the component that distributes power from your engine to both front wheels. You'll likely notice poor handling, difficulty turning, or unusual noises from the front of your vehicle. The differential will need to be repaired or replaced by a mechanic.
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Your X5 developed a coolant leak, a front differential failure, and an A/C refrigerant leak at 70,000 miles — all discovered during routine maintenance. The dealer replaced the leaking valve but did not repair the differential, even though this issue is reportedly a known problem with this model that the manufacturer is aware of. The repairs will likely involve replacing the front differential assembly and recharging or replacing the A/C system components.
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You noticed fluid leaking under your parked vehicle, and the dealer found that the front differential shaft bearing had detached. This bearing failure caused extra movement in the propeller shaft and needs to be replaced. The dealer serviced your vehicle just seven weeks before this problem appeared, and BMW has not offered to help with the repair.
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Your car experienced steering problems and initially wouldn't start on a cold day. The dealership replaced the power steering, but you continued to feel dragging or shuddering sensations while driving. A year later, you discovered the real issue was a failed transfer case that needed complete replacement—a diagnosis the dealership delayed until you were out of warranty, resulting in a $10,552.19 repair bill.
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Electrical System →3 issues
Your 2020 BMW X5 has a known electrical system issue under recall, but the repair part wasn't available when you needed it. Your car had trouble starting and showed a check control warning light on the dashboard. Because the manufacturer hasn't completed the recall repair within a reasonable timeframe, you may experience similar starting problems or warning lights until the recall is addressed. The fix will require BMW to replace or repair the electrical component identified in the recall once the part becomes available.
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Your 2020 BMW X5 is part of an electrical system recall, but the dealer has confirmed that replacement parts aren't yet available to perform the repair. You haven't experienced any failure yet, but the manufacturer has been notified that the delay in getting parts has exceeded a reasonable timeframe. The repair will likely involve replacing an electrical component once parts become available.
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Your 2020 BMW X5 is subject to a recall (NHTSA Campaign 25V644000) for an electrical system issue, but the required repair parts are currently unavailable at your dealer. BMW has been notified of the parts shortage but hasn't provided assistance or a timeline for when parts will be in stock. The repair will likely involve replacing or servicing electrical system components once parts become available.
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Electrical System,engine →2 issues
Your engine hesitates when starting and has trouble turning over, even though the battery has plenty of power. The owner notes that other BMW models have been recalled for this same issue, but your 2020 X5 isn't included in that recall despite experiencing the same problem.
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Your BMW's starter was replaced under a safety recall (25V-644) at an authorized dealer, and the repair was completed successfully with no warning lights afterward. However, BMW's records still show the recall as open with no remedy available, which misrepresents your vehicle's actual safety status. This inaccurate record-keeping could cause problems if you need roadside assistance or if regulators check your vehicle's safety history. The fix will require BMW to update their recall database to accurately reflect that your starter replacement has been completed.
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Electrical System,unknown Or Other,engine →1 issue
Your engine suddenly began smoking without any warning lights or prior symptoms while driving. The smoke quickly intensified, turned dark, and filled the cabin with toxic fumes, followed by flames erupting from the front of the vehicle. The fire department responded and extinguished the fire, and the vehicle was declared a total loss. BMW determined the starter was the cause, and your vehicle was subject to a safety recall for this issue at the time of the fire.
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Unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your 2020 BMW X5 is subject to a safety recall (25V-644) due to a fire risk that has been open since November 2025. BMW initially had no available fix, and a scheduled service visit in January 2026 couldn't be completed due to dealership problems. Despite multiple follow-ups with BMW North America, you haven't received a confirmed repair date or consistent loaner vehicle support while this safety issue remains unresolved.
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Structure →1 issue
Your sunroof glass suddenly shattered and exploded while you were driving, with no impact from other vehicles or debris. This happened while driving normally on the road. You're reporting this after learning about similar incidents from other owners.
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Power Train,engine →1 issue
The owner has reported a powertrain or engine issue with their 2020 BMW X5 but did not provide details in the complaint text itself, instead referencing an attached file that is not available here.
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Exterior Lighting →1 issue
Your driver's side headlight has excessive moisture or condensation building up inside the lens. This was only discovered when you parked the car outside overnight during a move, which is the only time it's spent outside since you've owned it. The headlight may need to be resealed or replaced to prevent water from entering the housing.
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