2019 BMW X5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2019 BMW X5 has 188 complaints, a complaint index of 60, and 13 recalls, earning a Caution verdict, rank 9 of 21 model years. Electrical System issues lead at 39% of complaints, followed by Engine at 35%.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 X5 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 188
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 13
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 18.5 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2019 BMW X5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System74 (39%)
- Engine66 (35%)
- Other28 (15%)
- Steering18 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (10%)
- Brakes13 (7%)
- Airbags12 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras9 (5%)
- Structure & Body9 (5%)
- Seat Belts7 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes reportedly failed to stop the vehicle in traffic or highway situations, in some cases leading to collisions.
- Owners described the starter overheating and smoking near the engine bay, in one case tied to a fire, at a median mileage of 52,500 for electrical complaints.
- A transmission warning appeared showing 'leveler select defect' and 'transmission defect, do not turn vehicle off,' with the vehicle unable to shift into park.
- Steering became erratic, loose, or would randomly twitch in cold weather below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, especially at low speeds.
- One complaint described the steering wheel locking up along with brake failure and the electrical panel going black just before a collision with a home.
2019 BMW X5 recalls
13 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V644000Sep 25, 2025Electrical System145,102 vehicles
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 24V576000Aug 1, 2024Engine105,588 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ECM):software
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.
Remedy: 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 22V267000Apr 20, 2022Visibility & Wipers61,221 vehicles
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.
Remedy: 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.
2019 BMW X5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 20.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,925
- 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.
2019 compared with other X5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 BMW X5 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2019 X5 a complaint index of 60 and a Caution verdict, ranking 9th out of 21 model years for this model. Electrical System problems make up 39% of its 188 complaints.
- What are the main problems with the 2019 BMW X5?
- Owners most often reported Electrical System issues (39% of complaints) and Engine issues (35%), followed by Steering, Transmission & Powertrain, and Brakes complaints.
- Does the 2019 BMW X5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns tied to the 2019 X5, covering components including the Electrical System, Engine, Steering, and Collision Avoidance & Cameras. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2019 X5 compare to other model years?
- The 2019 X5's complaint index of 60 is worse than 2016, 2017, and 2018, which all earned Best verdicts, but better than 2011, 2012, and 2024, which were rated Avoid.
- What mileage do 2019 X5 problems typically show up at?
- Electrical System complaints show a median mileage of 52,500 and Engine complaints a median of 62,698.5, though the overall median mileage at failure across all complaints is 19,500.