2015 BMW X5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
47/100
#9 most-complained of 16 X5 years
The 2015 BMW X5 has a complaint index of 47 and ranks 9th worst out of 16 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other X5 years. NHTSA lists 152 complaints, 6 recalls, and 7 fires, with Engine (34%) and Fuel System (33%) as the top problem areas.
- Complaints
- 152
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 7
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 26 hwy
Top 2015 BMW X5 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine51 (34%)
- Fuel System50 (33%)
- Other19 (13%)
- Electrical System16 (11%)
- Airbags14 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (9%)
- Structure & Body8 (5%)
- Steering7 (5%)
- Seat Belts6 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (3%)
What owners report
- Engine stalls or stops while driving and fails to restart, sometimes followed by fire, at median mileage around 99,000 for engine complaints.
- Owners report smoke or flames coming from under the hood or from the engine compartment while driving at highway speeds.
- Some owners saw a dashboard "Add Coolant" warning right before flames appeared from under the hood.
- Electrical system fires have been reported from the rear of the vehicle, in one case shortly after a battery replacement.
- Driver's side airbags have deployed unexpectedly during turns, before any collision occurred, obstructing the driver's view.
- A transmission complaint describes the vehicle shifting to neutral when it should be in park, or not shifting to park when the engine was shut off.
2015 BMW X5 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V907000Nov 19, 2021Fuel System50,404 vehicles
Fuel system, diesel
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon, 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV, and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV diesel vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold.
Risk: A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755. Vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on January 18, 2022. The remedy is expected to be available in June 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 6, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 21V586000Jul 29, 2021Fuel System11,216 vehicles
Fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, X5 xDrive35d, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, and 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 14, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 18V755000Oct 25, 2018Engine44,368 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d and 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. If the EGR cooler leaks internally, the coolant can mix with diesel engine soot. The high EGR temperatures may result in these particles possibly smoldering and melting the intake manifold.
Risk: The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the EGR cooler as necessary. If a leak has already occurred, the engine intake manifold will also be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2015 BMW X5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 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.
2015 compared with other X5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 BMW X5 reliable compared to other X5 years?
- Relative to other X5 model years, 2015 has a complaint index of 47 and ranks 9th worst of 16 years tracked, earning a "Good" verdict. It performs better than 2011, 2012, 2024, and 2025, which are rated "Avoid."
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 BMW X5?
- NHTSA data shows Engine complaints make up 34% of reports and Fuel System issues make up 33%. Electrical System problems account for 11%, and Airbags account for 9%.
- Does the 2015 BMW X5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2015 X5, covering the Fuel System, Engine, Airbags, and Structure & Body. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do 2015 X5 problems typically occur?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 68,000 for failures overall, with Engine complaints showing a median of 99,000 miles and Fuel System complaints showing 86,000 miles.