2021 BMW X5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2021 BMW X5 has a complaint index of 75, ranking 6th worst of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Owners logged 107 complaints and 12 recall campaigns, with Electrical System (36%) and Engine (31%) as the top problem areas.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #6 of 21 X5 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 107
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 12
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 9
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17.5 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2021 BMW X5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some vehicles spontaneously caught fire while parked and turned off, with flames reported shooting from the hood shortly after purchase.
- Hybrid battery packs have ignited while charging in a garage, in one case destroying the vehicle and spreading to the attached house.
- Several owners describe unintended acceleration or reversing, including one case where the vehicle lurched forward and hit a parking structure while attempting to park.
- Automatic emergency braking has failed to stop the vehicle in time during a lane-change collision despite the system recording the event.
- A parked vehicle reportedly rolled roughly 30 feet on its own with the gear selector in park and no key fob nearby, striking another car.
- A driver's knee airbag deployed in a crash and caused a leg laceration requiring emergency treatment.
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?
- Compared with other X5 model years, 2021 ranks 6th worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 75 and an Avoid verdict. It logged 107 NHTSA complaints and 12 recall campaigns.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2021 BMW X5?
- Electrical System issues are the top problem area, making up 36% of complaints (39 of 107), with a median failure mileage of 49,000. Engine issues follow at 31% (33 complaints).
- Does the 2021 BMW X5 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2021 X5, covering areas including electrical system, brakes, steering, structure, suspension, and visibility/wipers, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
- Are there fire risks with the 2021 X5?
- NHTSA data shows 3 fire-related complaints for the 2021 X5, including reports of vehicles catching fire while parked or during charging.
- How does the 2021 X5 compare to other years?
- The 2021 X5's complaint index of 75 is higher than the 2016-2018 model years, which are rated Best with complaint indexes of 0, 20, and 10 respectively.