2020 BMW X5 Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 49 engine complaints for the 2020 BMW X5, or 44% of all 111 complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 60,000. Five complaints involve fires. A related recall (24V576000) covers engine software affecting the 2019-2020 X5 among other models.
- Engine complaints
- 49
- 44% of 111
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 5
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 60,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners describe fires starting under the hood, sometimes minutes after driving or while the vehicle sat parked and locked.
- Several report the vehicle failing to start, with burning smells and smoke coming from the engine compartment before or during start attempts.
- Check engine lights trace to active grill shutter or active air flap controller failures, with dealers identifying the actuator motor as the likely cause.
- Multiple owners report starter failures that led to battery failure, with the engine overheating and the vehicle shutting down while driving.
- One owner reports unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, describing it as the third such incident in the vehicle.
- Owners mention difficulty getting free recall repairs for the starter issue, with dealers requesting diagnostic fees before proceeding.
When 2020 BMW X5 engine complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 13, 2022, latest Sep 16, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2020 BMW X5
- 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.
Engine complaints by X5 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are engine complaints on the 2020 BMW X5?
- NHTSA shows 49 engine complaints for the 2020 X5, which is 44% of the 111 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2020 BMW X5 engine?
- Yes. Recall 24V576000, opened August 1, 2024, covers engine software on the 2019-2020 X5 and several other BMW models; the remedy is a free software update.
- At what mileage do 2020 X5 engine problems typically show up?
- NHTSA's sample complaints report a median mileage of 60,000 at the time of failure.
- Are engine fires a serious concern for the 2020 X5?
- Of the 49 engine-area complaints, 5 mention fires and 1 mentions a crash, with 0 injuries reported to NHTSA.