2020 BMW X5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2020 BMW X5 has a Complaint Index of 65 and ranks 8th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 111 complaints and 11 recall campaigns, with Engine (44%) and Electrical System (40%) the top problem areas.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #8 of 21 X5 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 111
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 11
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2020 BMW X5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine49 (44%)
- Electrical System44 (40%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (15%)
- Other16 (14%)
- Airbags6 (5%)
- Brakes5 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (4%)
- Structure & Body4 (4%)
- Seat Belts3 (3%)
- Steering3 (3%)
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 sudden unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, including one case describing three separate incidents in the same car.
- Some vehicles reportedly caught fire spontaneously while parked, with smoke appearing under the hood minutes after the engine was turned off.
- Owners describe the engine compartment emitting smoke or a burning smell when trying to start the car, sometimes preventing the car from starting at all.
- The digital instrument panel and navigation display reportedly dim or go blank intermittently, including at highway speed, making them hard to read.
- Automatic emergency braking has reportedly activated with no obstacle present, jerking occupants forward at highway speed.
- A driver's airbag reportedly failed to deploy in a head-on collision, and rear cross-traffic warning has reportedly not worked despite dealer inspection.
2020 BMW X5 recalls
11 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.
2020 BMW X5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,450
- 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.
2020 compared with other X5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 BMW X5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 X5 carries a Complaint Index of 65 and ranks 8th worst among 21 model years, putting it in the Caution category relative to other X5 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 BMW X5?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Engine issues account for 44% of complaints and Electrical System issues account for 40%, including reports of fires and dimming displays.
- Does the 2020 BMW X5 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2020 X5, covering the starter motor, engine software, headlamps, front axle support weld, and other systems.
- How does the 2020 X5 compare to other model years?
- The 2020 X5 has a Complaint Index of 65, worse than years like 2016, 2017, and 2018 which earned Best verdicts with indexes of 0, 20, and 10, but better than 2009, 2011, 2012, 2021, 2024, and 2025, which earned Avoid verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 BMW X5?
- EPA rates the 2020 X5 at 18 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450.