2021 BMW X5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
73/100
#5 most-complained of 16 X5 years
The 2021 BMW X5 has a Complaint Index of 73, ranking 5th worst out of 16 model years, with a Caution verdict. Electrical System issues lead complaints at 36%, followed by Engine (31%) and Transmission & Powertrain (26%), backed by 12 recalls.
- Complaints
- 107
- Recalls
- 12
- Crashes / fires
- 9 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17.5 city / 22 hwy
Top 2021 BMW X5 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System39 (36%)
- Engine33 (31%)
- Transmission & Powertrain28 (26%)
- Other17 (16%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras12 (11%)
- Airbags7 (7%)
- Brakes6 (6%)
- Structure & Body5 (5%)
- Fuel System3 (3%)
- Lane Departure3 (3%)
What owners report
- Some owners report unexpected acceleration or lurching forward while parking or maneuvering at low speed, in some cases without any warning.
- Owners describe the vehicle shifting into reverse or rolling on its own while parked in gear with the engine off.
- Electrical system faults, including drivetrain malfunction and power supply alerts, have appeared during driving and prompted dealer towing.
- Fires have been reported both while the vehicle was parked and charging in a garage, in one case leading to a total loss of the vehicle.
- Automatic emergency braking has failed to fully stop the vehicle before a collision in at least one reported case.
- Airbag deployment during a crash caused a laceration to a driver's leg in one reported incident.
2021 BMW X5 recalls
12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 21V156000Mar 10, 2021Structure & Body258 vehicles
Seats:mid/rear assembly:head restraint
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5 xDrive45e, 2021 X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i, and XB7 vehicles. The head restraints on the second-row outer seats may be the incorrect type for the vehicle.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the head restraints could detach, and increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the head restraints, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 21V096000Feb 19, 2021Collision Avoidance & Cameras13,858 vehicles
Back over prevention:software
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2021 BMW X5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,225
- 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.
2021 compared with other X5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 BMW X5 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2021 X5 a Complaint Index of 73, the 5th worst of 16 model years tracked, earning a Caution verdict relative to other X5 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2021 BMW X5?
- Electrical System complaints are the largest category, making up 36% of complaints (39 total), with a median failure mileage of 49,000 miles.
- Does the 2021 BMW X5 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 12 recalls for the 2021 X5, covering areas including Structure & Body, Brakes, Steering, Electrical System, and Suspension, Wheels & Tires. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2021 X5 compare to other X5 years?
- The 2021 X5's Complaint Index of 73 is worse than the 2016-2018 models (indexes 0, 13, and 7, rated Best) but better than 2024 (index 100) and 2011/2012 (indexes 80 and 87), which are rated Avoid.
- Are there fires reported in the 2021 BMW X5?
- NHTSA complaint data lists 3 fire reports for the 2021 X5, including cases where the vehicle caught fire while parked in a garage.