
2016 Bmw X5
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2016 Bmw X5 has 109 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.4x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: while driving, all of sudden, dashboard becomes blank. i brought this point to bmw bellevue dealer. it was confirmed that there was no issue identified. however, it occurred a couple of times in a year. since i was driving 35-speed limit road, i pulled the vehicle and stopped the enginer and then re.
109
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.4x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ELECTRICAL
23 complaints- • WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF SUDDEN, DASHBOARD BECOMES BLANK. I BROUGHT THIS POINT TO BMW BELLEVUE DEALER. IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO ISSUE IDENTIFIED. HOWEVER, IT OCCURRED A COUPLE OF TIMES IN A YEAR. SINCE I WAS DRIVING 35-SPEED LIMIT ROAD, I PULLED THE VEHICLE AND STOPPED THE ENGINER AND THEN RE
- • MY 2016 BMW X5 E40 STALLED AND LOST ALL PROPULSION POWER MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, THE FIRST TIME AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND THE SUBSEQUENT TIMES AT AROUND 25 MPH, FORCING ME TO DRIVE THE CAR ONTO THE SHOULDER AND TRY TO RESTART IT. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY KIND AND NO WARNING LIGHT G
- • The electric drivetrain, electric engine and the gasoline malfunctioned while the car was driving at speed from 40-50 miles. The car was build with two engine, the electric motor and a twin turbo gasoline engine. The Electronic drivetrain system was designed for first off start the electric engine
“WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF SUDDEN, DASHBOARD BECOMES BLANK. I BROUGHT THIS POINT TO BMW BELLEVUE DEALER. IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO ISSUE IDENTIFIED. HOWEVER, IT OCCURRED A COUPLE OF TIMES IN A YEAR. SINCE I WAS DRIVING 35-SPEED LIMIT ROAD, I PULLED THE VEHICLE AND STOPPED THE ENGINER AND THEN RE”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ENGINE
20 complaints- • IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR WITH NO REPAIRS ON THE CAR. WE'VE TRIED TO TRADE IT OFF AT A DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSED TO EVEN TAKEN IT IN ON A TRADE BECAUSE THERE IS NO FIX. WE ARE BEING HELD HOSTAGE IN A VEHICLE THAT IS NOW WORTH NOTHING BECAUSE THEY WONT' FIX IT. EVERY TIME WE HAVE IT SERVICED THE COO
- • MY 2016 BMW X5 E40 STALLED AND LOST ALL PROPULSION POWER MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, THE FIRST TIME AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND THE SUBSEQUENT TIMES AT AROUND 25 MPH, FORCING ME TO DRIVE THE CAR ONTO THE SHOULDER AND TRY TO RESTART IT. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY KIND AND NO WARNING LIGHT G
- • The electric drivetrain, electric engine and the gasoline malfunctioned while the car was driving at speed from 40-50 miles. The car was build with two engine, the electric motor and a twin turbo gasoline engine. The Electronic drivetrain system was designed for first off start the electric engine
“IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR WITH NO REPAIRS ON THE CAR. WE'VE TRIED TO TRADE IT OFF AT A DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSED TO EVEN TAKEN IT IN ON A TRADE BECAUSE THERE IS NO FIX. WE ARE BEING HELD HOSTAGE IN A VEHICLE THAT IS NOW WORTH NOTHING BECAUSE THEY WONT' FIX IT. EVERY TIME WE HAVE IT SERVICED THE COO”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
14 complaints- • THE ATTORN. GEN OF FL SUGGESTED I REACH OUT TO YOU TO EXPRESS A CONCERN I HAVE FOR OUR X5 EDRIVE. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AT REEVES BMW IN TAMPA. SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE, IT HAS BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE AND NOW THAT WE HAVE A NEWBORN, IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN OF OURS THAT THE CAR AUTOMATICA
- • UPON FIRST SERVICE, BASED UPON WHIRRING NOISE IN FRONT OF CAR, SERVICE ADVISOR ADVISED THAT THE FRONT TIRES WERE BADLY CUPPED ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE EDGES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A SECOND SERVICE ADVISOR ADVISED THAT THE BMW X5 WITH THE SPORTS PACKAGE NATURALLY CUPPED THE FRONT TIRES AND MOST
- • BMW HAS IN MY OPINION DELIVERED CARS WITH A SAFETY RISK DUE TO DISTRACTED DRIVING RISK DUE TO THEIR POOR SOFTWARE. THE METHOD FOR CONNECTING TO AND OPERATING AN IPHONE (AND PERHAPS OTHER PHONES) VIA THE RADIO AND SPEAKERS IS CLUMSY AND DISTRACTING. FOR EXAMPLE, THE SOFTWARE DEMANDS SIX OR SEVEN
“THE ATTORN. GEN OF FL SUGGESTED I REACH OUT TO YOU TO EXPRESS A CONCERN I HAVE FOR OUR X5 EDRIVE. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AT REEVES BMW IN TAMPA. SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE, IT HAS BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE AND NOW THAT WE HAVE A NEWBORN, IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN OF OURS THAT THE CAR AUTOMATICA”
— NHTSA complaint filing
TRANSMISSION
12 complaints- • FRONT DRIVESHAFT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESS WEAR, PERHAPS TRANSFER CASE AS WELL. VERY SIMILAR TO SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 17V-138:FROM APRIL/2017 (SAME ISSUE, MY MODEL IS ONE YEAR OLDER THAN RECALL NOTICE), BUT BMW NA WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR COST FOR THIS DEFECT.
- • The electric drivetrain, electric engine and the gasoline malfunctioned while the car was driving at speed from 40-50 miles. The car was build with two engine, the electric motor and a twin turbo gasoline engine. The Electronic drivetrain system was designed for first off start the electric engine
- • Our 2016 BMW X 5 axle is broken. Can't drive ( very loud noise ) steering and directional control are a safety risk. We purchased new on 9/19/2015 and are the original owners . The car has approximately 60,000. plus miles on it. Living in Ketchum ID we have had all service and Maintenance work do
“FRONT DRIVESHAFT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESS WEAR, PERHAPS TRANSFER CASE AS WELL. VERY SIMILAR TO SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 17V-138:FROM APRIL/2017 (SAME ISSUE, MY MODEL IS ONE YEAR OLDER THAN RECALL NOTICE), BUT BMW NA WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR COST FOR THIS DEFECT.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
FUEL SYSTEM
9 complaints- • ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER STICKER BMW X5 5.0 GETS 15/21MPG. I WISH I GET ANYWHERE NEAR THAT. I GET ABOUT 11 AVERAGE MPG. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE AND I CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND THEY SAID THAT IS THE WAY IT IS. YOU WILL NEVER GET WHAT YOU SEE ON THE STICKER. SO WHEN YOU BUY A CA
- • The contact owns a 2016 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amou
- • The engine light came on while I was 250 miles from home and on a Saturday. Was able to contact my dealer's service department who said to drive home and just monitor for any issues and hopefully it will be ok. I brought the vehicle in for diagnostic check following week. Faults were for the diesel
“ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER STICKER BMW X5 5.0 GETS 15/21MPG. I WISH I GET ANYWHERE NEAR THAT. I GET ABOUT 11 AVERAGE MPG. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE AND I CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND THEY SAID THAT IS THE WAY IT IS. YOU WILL NEVER GET WHAT YOU SEE ON THE STICKER. SO WHEN YOU BUY A CA”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 109 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF SUDDEN, DASHBOARD BECOMES BLANK. I BROUGHT THIS POINT TO BMW BELLEVUE DEALER. IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO ISSUE IDENTIFIED. HOWEVER, IT OCCURRED A COUPLE OF TIMES IN A YEAR. SINCE I WAS DRIVING 35-SPEED LIMIT ROAD, I PULLED THE VEHICLE AND STOPPED THE ENGINER AND THEN RE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR WITH NO REPAIRS ON THE CAR. WE'VE TRIED TO TRADE IT OFF AT A DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSED TO EVEN TAKEN IT IN ON A TRADE BECAUSE THERE IS NO FIX. WE ARE BEING HELD HOSTAGE IN A VEHICLE THAT IS NOW WORTH NOTHING BECAUSE THEY WONT' FIX IT. EVERY TIME WE HAVE IT SERVICED THE COO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: THE ATTORN. GEN OF FL SUGGESTED I REACH OUT TO YOU TO EXPRESS A CONCERN I HAVE FOR OUR X5 EDRIVE. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AT REEVES BMW IN TAMPA. SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE, IT HAS BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE AND NOW THAT WE HAVE A NEWBORN, IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN OF OURS THAT THE CAR AUTOMATICA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: FRONT DRIVESHAFT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESS WEAR, PERHAPS TRANSFER CASE AS WELL. VERY SIMILAR TO SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 17V-138:FROM APRIL/2017 (SAME ISSUE, MY MODEL IS ONE YEAR OLDER THAN RECALL NOTICE), BUT BMW NA WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR COST FOR THIS DEFECT.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Bmw X5 — Year Comparison
How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 109
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 2
- Injury reports
- 2
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2016 Bmw X5