2019 BMW X5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
67/100
#6 most-complained of 16 X5 years
The 2019 BMW X5 has 188 NHTSA complaints, 13 recalls, and a complaint index of 67, ranking 6th worst out of 16 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, driven mainly by electrical (39% of complaints) and engine (35%) issues.
- Complaints
- 188
- Recalls
- 13
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 18.5 city / 24 hwy
Top 2019 BMW X5 problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Brakes reportedly fail to stop the vehicle during normal driving, sometimes leading to a crash into another car or a fixed object.
- Owners describe the starter overheating or smoking, with a burning odor near the engine bay at around 50,000 miles.
- Some report the transmission warning system activating at low speed, displaying a defect message and refusing to shift into park.
- Steering has been described as erratic, loose, or twitchy in cold temperatures below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, sometimes accompanied by driver-assist systems shutting off.
- In one case the steering locked and the electrical panel went dark while the driver was trying to turn, followed by 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 lists 188 complaints and 13 recalls for the 2019 X5, giving it a complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict relative to other X5 years. It ranks 6th worst among the 16 model years tracked.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 BMW X5?
- Electrical System complaints make up 39% of reports, with a median failure mileage of 52,500. Engine complaints follow at 35%, with a median failure mileage of 62,698.5 miles.
- Does the 2019 BMW X5 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 13 recalls for the 2019 X5, covering issues including a starter motor overheating, engine software, a steering column shaft bearing plate, back-up camera software, and an instrument panel airbag defect. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2019 X5 compare to other model years?
- The 2019 X5 has a complaint index of 67, worse than the 2016-2018 X5 years which scored between 0 and 13 and were rated Best. The worst-rated year is 2024 with a complaint index of 100.