YearToAvoid

2025 BMW X5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2025 BMW X5 ranks 2nd-worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 95, 61 complaints, and 5 recalls. Brakes account for 48% of complaints, making it an Avoid year relative to other X5 model years.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
95/100
#2 of 21 X5 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
61
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
5
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
8
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
3
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2023
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22
22 city / 23 hwy
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Top 2025 BMW X5 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes29 (48%)
  2. Collision Avoidance & Cameras10 (16%)
  3. Electrical System9 (15%)
  4. Engine8 (13%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain7 (11%)
  6. Other5 (8%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers4 (7%)
  8. Steering3 (5%)
  9. Airbags2 (3%)
  10. Fuel System1 (2%)

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 the integrated brake system failing to respond or feeling unusually weak during hard braking, in some cases leading to a crash.
  • Some describe the vehicle lurching or accelerating unexpectedly at low speed while trying to park, with the forward collision system not engaging.
  • One owner reported the engine revving unintentionally with the brake pedal depressed, causing unintended acceleration to 60 MPH.
  • A driveline malfunction message reportedly left the vehicle unable to restart at a stop light, requiring a tow at low mileage.
  • One owner reported the driver and passenger airbags did not deploy after hitting a telephone pole, at a median mileage of 8,000 miles for airbag complaints.
  • Several owners said they were waiting for recall parts for the integrated brake system when brake failures occurred.
2025 BMW X5 complaints: complaints filed per month6Aug 2024Nov 2024Feb 2025May 2025Aug 2025Nov 2025Feb 2026May 2026
61 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2024 to Aug 2026; peak Oct 2024 (6).

2025 BMW X5 recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V422000Jul 1, 2026Brakes428 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:electric:control module

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 Mini Cooper S, Mini Countryman S All4, X2, 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre, 2023-2025 i7, 7 Series, X7, 2024-2025 i5, 5 Series, 2023-2024 XM, X1, 2024-2025 X6, and X5 vehicles. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) systems to not function properly.

    Risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: The Integrated brake system will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce customer service at 1-877-877-3735. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning August 21, 2026. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 24V739 or 24V104 will need to have the new remedy completed.

  2. NHTSA 24V697000Sep 18, 2024Brakes309 vehicles

    Electronic stability control (esc):control module

    BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, 2024-2025 X5, 2025 X6, 2023-2025 X7, 740i, 760i, 2024 XM, 530i, 540i, i7, 750e, X2, 2024-2025 i5, 2024 Rolls Royce Spectre, 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4, JCW Countryman ALL4, and 2025 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S) vehicles. Please refer to the recall report for the complete list of models. The welds in the servomotor of the integrated brake control module may break, causing a loss of power brake assist and rear brake function. In addition, the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system may not function.

    Risk: A loss of brake power assist or rear brake function can result in extended stopping distance. A loss of ABS or DSC can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 13, 2024. Owners can contact BMW Customer Service at 1-800-525-7417.

  3. NHTSA 24V345000May 15, 2024Seat Belts3,256 vehicles

    Seat belts:front

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 XM, 2025 BMW X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 M60i, X5 M, X5 xDrive50e, X6 xDrive40i, X6 M60i, X6 M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M60i, and Alpina XB7 vehicles. The seat belt system may inaccurately detect that passengers are belted, preventing the seat belt warning light from illuminating and possibly causing the supplemental restraint system to not deploy as intended during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Risk: A seat belt warning light that does not alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt or an SRS system that deploys improperly can both increase the risk of injury in a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat lower seat belts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 12, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

See all 5 recalls for the 2025 BMW X5 →

2025 BMW X5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
23 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,650
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.

2025 compared with other X5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2023Best1532419
2024Avoid100145822
2025Avoid9561522

All BMW X5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2025 BMW X5 reliable?
Relative to other X5 model years, 2025 ranks poorly: it is the 2nd-worst of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 95 and 61 NHTSA complaints, most involving brakes.
What is the biggest problem with the 2025 BMW X5?
Brakes are the top problem area, making up 48% of complaints (29 of 61), with a median mileage at failure of 2,000 miles.
Does the 2025 BMW X5 have a brake recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists three separate brake-related recalls for the 2025 X5, all involving the integrated brake system, plus recalls for seat belts and a tire information placard.
How does the 2025 X5 compare to other years?
The 2025 X5 has a complaint index of 95, second only to 2024's index of 100 among the 21 model years with data; several other years, like 2016-2018 and 2023, earn a Best verdict.
What is the fuel economy of the 2025 BMW X5?
EPA rates the 2025 X5 at 22 mpg combined (22 city/23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,650.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.