
2020 Bmw X5
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2020 Bmw X5 has 141 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.8x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: navigation display and right side of instrument panel go blank intermittently and then reset and come back on after about 10 seconds. display goes off during periods of driving and or stationary with vehicle engine running. occurs during times at highway speeds and city driving. *tr. ⚠️ 12 fire reports filed.
141
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.8x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ELECTRICAL
38 complaints- • NAVIGATION DISPLAY AND RIGHT SIDE OF INSTRUMENT PANEL GO BLANK INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN RESET AND COME BACK ON AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS. DISPLAY GOES OFF DURING PERIODS OF DRIVING AND OR STATIONARY WITH VEHICLE ENGINE RUNNING. OCCURS DURING TIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND CITY DRIVING. *TR
- • MY SAMSUNG GALAXY S9 PHONE SEEMS INCOMPATIBLE WITH MY X5. ABOUT EVERY 30 MINUTES THE NAV DISPLAY AND HALF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BLACK OUT FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS THEN RESTARTS. THIS OCCURS ON THE HIGHWAY AND IN THE CITY.
- • My 2020 X5 is equipped with Rear Cross Traffic Warning however it does not warn when traffic is crossing. The car will be in reverse, i can be very close to either a car or a person and there are no audible or visual warnings until the object stops moving or is within inches of the vehicle. I have
“NAVIGATION DISPLAY AND RIGHT SIDE OF INSTRUMENT PANEL GO BLANK INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN RESET AND COME BACK ON AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS. DISPLAY GOES OFF DURING PERIODS OF DRIVING AND OR STATIONARY WITH VEHICLE ENGINE RUNNING. OCCURS DURING TIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND CITY DRIVING. *TR”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ENGINE
38 complaints- • Grievance/Complaint for 2020 X5 BMW Firer December 9, 2021 (49 days Owner) I was on my way to work, and I stopped at the local Bank of America drive through. While on my way, I received two (2) malfunction message saying the same thing, “ Scam Likely 1-470-781-9727; (Check Control) Vehicle key mis
- • The contact owns a 2020 BMW X5. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the active air flap controller. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notifi
- • cHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND BASED ON THE CODE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ACTIVE GRILL SHUTTERS. i DID SOME RESEARCH AND SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHERE THE ACTUATOR MOTOR MAY BE THE PROBLEM
“Grievance/Complaint for 2020 X5 BMW Firer December 9, 2021 (49 days Owner) I was on my way to work, and I stopped at the local Bank of America drive through. While on my way, I received two (2) malfunction message saying the same thing, “ Scam Likely 1-470-781-9727; (Check Control) Vehicle key mis”
— NHTSA complaint filing
TRANSMISSION
15 complaints- • WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IN A HEAD-ON PARKING SPOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND HIT A WALL. THE CAR THEN WENT INTO REVERSE AND SPED UP RAPIDLY UNTIL IT HIT A CONCRETE PATIO ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PARKING LOT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITH SUBSTANTIAL FORCE THE ENTIRE T
- • How does a known manufacturing defect ( or the factory-filled transfer case oil does not meet BMW specifications.) Not become a safety concern. The wheels have intermittent power from the transfer case. My car showed the concern at 55k miles and the warranty company made me go through another 12 m
- • Vehicle Purchase from BMW of Devon Dear BMW Customer Relations Team, I am writing to express my deep disappointment and frustration regarding my recent experience with a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle purchased from BMW of Devon. As a loyal BMW customer, I expected a higher standard of qualit
“WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IN A HEAD-ON PARKING SPOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND HIT A WALL. THE CAR THEN WENT INTO REVERSE AND SPED UP RAPIDLY UNTIL IT HIT A CONCRETE PATIO ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PARKING LOT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITH SUBSTANTIAL FORCE THE ENTIRE T”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
13 complaints- • AIR CONDITIONING QUIT WORKING ON DAY 2 OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER SAYS THE COMPRESSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THERE IS A LEAD TIME BETWEEN 2 WEEKS AND 2 MONTHS. AFTER PURCHASING A CAR THAT COST ABOUT $125,000 AND DRIVING IT ONE TIME, IT HAD TO BE SENT TO THE SHOP. SINCE IT IS SO HOT WHERE I LIVE, DRIV
- • squeaking and grinding in steering column, overheated steering column to the touch. Took to local BMW and was informed it was an issue with steering rack (after two visits there) and part has to be ordered and replaced.
- • WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IN A HEAD-ON PARKING SPOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND HIT A WALL. THE CAR THEN WENT INTO REVERSE AND SPED UP RAPIDLY UNTIL IT HIT A CONCRETE PATIO ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PARKING LOT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITH SUBSTANTIAL FORCE THE ENTIRE T
“AIR CONDITIONING QUIT WORKING ON DAY 2 OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER SAYS THE COMPRESSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THERE IS A LEAD TIME BETWEEN 2 WEEKS AND 2 MONTHS. AFTER PURCHASING A CAR THAT COST ABOUT $125,000 AND DRIVING IT ONE TIME, IT HAD TO BE SENT TO THE SHOP. SINCE IT IS SO HOT WHERE I LIVE, DRIV”
— NHTSA complaint filing
AIR BAGS
6 complaints- • BMW front cup holders have hole in bottom and it allows condensation/liquid to migrate through bottom to air bag sensor located directly underneath cup holders. Consumers are at risk of air bags going off unintentionally and/or not going off at all. Sensor should not be directly under a cup holder
- • I have received two malfunction alerts two months apart for both driver and passenger airbags. The first dealership reset the fault codes and the second different dealership found 4 faults and reset it as well. I learned from the second dealership that the airbag sensors sit below the cup holders, s
- • Rear restraint system malfunction. BMW states it’s a faulty airbag that is not under warranty. Car has never been in an accident and only 4 years old so there should not have been any issues. It is a safety issue for passengers.
“BMW front cup holders have hole in bottom and it allows condensation/liquid to migrate through bottom to air bag sensor located directly underneath cup holders. Consumers are at risk of air bags going off unintentionally and/or not going off at all. Sensor should not be directly under a cup holder”
— 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 141 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: NAVIGATION DISPLAY AND RIGHT SIDE OF INSTRUMENT PANEL GO BLANK INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN RESET AND COME BACK ON AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS. DISPLAY GOES OFF DURING PERIODS OF DRIVING AND OR STATIONARY WITH VEHICLE ENGINE RUNNING. OCCURS DURING TIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND CITY DRIVING. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: Grievance/Complaint for 2020 X5 BMW Firer December 9, 2021 (49 days Owner) I was on my way to work, and I stopped at the local Bank of America drive through. While on my way, I received two (2) malfunction message saying the same thing, “ Scam Likely 1-470-781-9727; (Check Control) Vehicle key mis
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IN A HEAD-ON PARKING SPOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND HIT A WALL. THE CAR THEN WENT INTO REVERSE AND SPED UP RAPIDLY UNTIL IT HIT A CONCRETE PATIO ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PARKING LOT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITH SUBSTANTIAL FORCE THE ENTIRE T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: AIR CONDITIONING QUIT WORKING ON DAY 2 OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER SAYS THE COMPRESSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THERE IS A LEAD TIME BETWEEN 2 WEEKS AND 2 MONTHS. AFTER PURCHASING A CAR THAT COST ABOUT $125,000 AND DRIVING IT ONE TIME, IT HAD TO BE SENT TO THE SHOP. SINCE IT IS SO HOT WHERE I LIVE, DRIV
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 2020 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 141
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 12
- Crash reports
- 4
- Injury reports
- 2
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
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