2016 BMW X5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2016 BMW X5 has a complaint index of 0 and ranks 21st of 21 model years, earning a Best verdict. NHTSA lists 74 complaints, 5 recalls, 3 crashes, and 2 injuries for this year, with the top problem area being the Electrical System.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #21 of 21 X5 years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 74
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 18 city / 24.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2016 BMW X5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System23 (31%)
- Engine23 (31%)
- Other14 (19%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (18%)
- Fuel System12 (16%)
- Airbags5 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (7%)
- Structure & Body4 (5%)
- Brakes3 (4%)
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 the auto start-stop system re-engaging the engine unexpectedly while stopped, in one case causing the vehicle to move forward with no braking response.
- Panoramic sunroofs have shattered or exploded outward while driving or while the vehicle sat parked, scattering glass inside the cabin.
- Some owners describe the dashboard suddenly going blank while driving, requiring the engine to be stopped and restarted before the display returns.
- One owner reported persistently low coolant levels despite the engine testing fine at every service visit, with no repair found after more than a year.
- A rear tire lost a large section of tread at highway speed, causing steering to become unsteady before the driver pulled over.
- One owner said observed fuel economy fell well below the EPA sticker figures for the X5 5.0.
2016 BMW X5 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V608000Aug 13, 2024Electrical System720,796 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- 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.
2016 BMW X5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 24.5 MPG
- Combined
- 20.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,900
- 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.
2016 compared with other X5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 BMW X5 reliable?
- Among X5 model years, 2016 has a complaint index of 0, the lowest of the 21 years with data, and ranks 21st (best) out of 21. NHTSA lists 74 complaints and 5 recalls for this year.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 BMW X5?
- The top problem areas are the Electrical System and Engine, each accounting for 31% of complaints, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 18% and Fuel System at 16%.
- Does the 2016 BMW X5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 X5, covering the electrical system (including a DME ground cable issue on X5 xDrive40e models), fuel system, and engine components. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 X5 compare to other X5 years?
- It has the lowest complaint index of any X5 year in the data, tying with 2017 for a Best verdict, while years like 2011, 2012, 2021, 2024, and 2025 carry Avoid verdicts with much higher complaint indexes.