2009 BMW X5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 BMW X5 has a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th worst out of 21 model years, and earns an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 157 complaints, 16 recalls (5 do-not-drive), and 9 fires, led by fuel system problems.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 X5 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 157
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 16
- 5 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 9
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2009 BMW X5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System52 (33%)
- Airbags48 (31%)
- Engine42 (27%)
- Electrical System23 (15%)
- Brakes14 (9%)
- Structure & Body12 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (6%)
- Other9 (6%)
- Steering6 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report fuel odor entering the cabin followed by smoke under the hood, sometimes traced to a leaking fuel pump or antifreeze leak into the engine.
- Some describe fires starting near the rear seat area where the fuel pump sits, requiring fire department response.
- Several drivers reported sudden loss of power on the highway with a dashboard power-output warning, in one case leading to a rear-end collision.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a multi-vehicle crash at 40 mph, resulting in injuries.
- Owners mention burning odors and smoke from the air conditioning vents while driving, sometimes recurring multiple times.
- Electrical fires were reported while the vehicle was parked, in one case melting the fusebox and wiring harness.
2009 BMW X5 recalls
16 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V119000Mar 2, 2022Engine917,106 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 20V016000Jan 15, 2020Airbags4,007 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2012 X5 xDrive35d, 2008-2012 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2007-2012 X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSPI-2) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until this remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2009 BMW X5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 21 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other X5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 BMW X5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 X5 ranks 5th worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 80, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other X5 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2009 BMW X5?
- Fuel system issues are the top problem area, accounting for 52 complaints (33% share) with a median failure mileage of 81,507 miles and 4 reported fires.
- Does the 2009 BMW X5 have any do-not-drive recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 16 total recalls for this year, including 5 do-not-drive recalls covering airbags.
- How many fires have been reported for the 2009 BMW X5?
- NHTSA data shows 9 fire-related complaints for the 2009 X5, with fuel system and engine components most frequently involved.
- Which BMW X5 years are safer than 2009?
- Years like 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2023 carry Best verdicts with much lower complaint indexes (0, 20, 10, and 15 respectively), based on NHTSA data.