2015 BMW X5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 BMW X5 has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 11th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. It has 152 complaints, 6 recalls, and its top problem area is the Engine at 34% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 X5 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 152
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 1
Top 2015 BMW X5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine compartment fires reported while driving, sometimes preceded by smoke from the rear or an "Add Coolant" warning.
- Engine stalls while driving, fails to restart, and in some cases catches fire afterward.
- Electrical system fires starting near the rear/trunk area, in one case shortly after a dealer battery replacement.
- Driver-side airbags reported to deploy before a collision occurred, obstructing the driver's view.
- Unexpected loss of braking ability while approaching a stop, resulting in a crash.
- Transmission reported shifting to neutral instead of park, or failing to shift 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?
- NHTSA data gives the 2015 X5 a complaint index of 50, ranking 11th worst among 21 model years, so it carries a Caution verdict relative to other X5 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 BMW X5?
- Engine complaints make up 34% of reports (51 complaints, median mileage 99,000), and Fuel System issues make up 33% (50 complaints, median mileage 86,000).
- Does the 2015 BMW X5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2015 X5, covering the fuel system, engine EGR cooler, airbags, and a structural rear seat belt attachment issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Are there fire risks with the 2015 BMW X5?
- NHTSA complaints report 7 fires and the Engine problem area alone accounts for 4 of them, with some incidents involving smoke or flames from the engine compartment while driving.
- How does the 2015 X5 compare to other X5 years?
- The 2015 X5's complaint index of 50 is worse than 2016-2018 and 2023, which earned Best verdicts with indexes of 0, 20, 10, and 15, but better than 2011, 2012, 2024, and 2025, which are rated Avoid.