MYRModel Year Report

2009 BMW X5

◆ Worse than typical
2009 BMW X5
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:34:57.184Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
138
Recalls
12

Campaigns on file for 2009

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

33% of complaints

Complaints per year

2000: 29 complaints 2000 2001: 160 complaints 2002: 102 complaints 2003: 99 complaints 2004: 64 complaints 2004 2005: 82 complaints 2006: 168 complaints 2007: 71 complaints 2008: 215 complaints 2009: 138 complaints 2009 138 2010: 124 complaints 2011: 263 complaints 2012: 271 complaints 2013: 149 complaints 2014: 99 complaints 2015: 152 complaints 2016: 74 complaints 2016 2017: 75 complaints 2018: 73 complaints 2019: 192 complaints 2020: 112 complaints 2020 2021: 109 complaints 2022: 70 complaints 2023: 34 complaints 2024: 145 complaints 2024 2025: 62 complaints 2026: 28 complaints
2000: 29 complaints 2000 2001: 160 complaints 2002: 102 complaints 2002 2003: 99 complaints 2004: 64 complaints 2004 2005: 82 complaints 2006: 168 complaints 2006 2007: 71 complaints 2008: 215 complaints 2009: 138 complaints 2009 138 2010: 124 complaints 2011: 263 complaints 2012: 271 complaints 2012 2013: 149 complaints 2014: 99 complaints 2014 2015: 152 complaints 2016: 74 complaints 2016 2017: 75 complaints 2018: 73 complaints 2018 2019: 192 complaints 2020: 112 complaints 2020 2021: 109 complaints 2022: 70 complaints 2022 2023: 34 complaints 2024: 145 complaints 2024 2025: 62 complaints 2026: 28 complaints 2026
2000: 29 complaints 2000 2001: 160 complaints 2002: 102 complaints 2002 2003: 99 complaints 2004: 64 complaints 2004 2005: 82 complaints 2006: 168 complaints 2006 2007: 71 complaints 2008: 215 complaints 2008 2009: 138 complaints 2009 138 2010: 124 complaints 2010 2011: 263 complaints 2012: 271 complaints 2012 2013: 149 complaints 2014: 99 complaints 2014 2015: 152 complaints 2016: 74 complaints 2016 2017: 75 complaints 2018: 73 complaints 2018 2019: 192 complaints 2020: 112 complaints 2020 2021: 109 complaints 2022: 70 complaints 2022 2023: 34 complaints 2024: 145 complaints 2024 2025: 62 complaints 2026: 28 complaints 2026

2009: 138 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19990
200029
2001160
2002102
200399
200464
200582
2006168
200771
2008215
2009138
2010124
2011263
2012271
2013149
201499
2015152
201674
201775
201873
2019192
2020112
2021109
202270
202334
2024145
202562
202628

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

33% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing occupant classification and front passenger.

CRASHINJURY

Fuel/propulsion system

27% · 37 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW X5. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle to drive, a burning odor emitted into the vehicle vent.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-27

Also filed under Engine

Crank no start scanner saying it is in 3rd gear not park.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-07-15

Also filed under Engine and electrical system

Engine

22% · 30 reports
CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW X5. While driving, an odor of fuel emitted into the vehicle. While in traffic, smoke appeared under the hood. The contact coasted over to the side of the road and noticed antifreeze leaking into the engine.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-01-03

The circuit board for the electric auxiliary water pump overheated and caused smoldering.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-01-27

Electrical system

12% · 16 reports
FIRE

Service brakes

8% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

FIRE

Safety timeline

12 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2009Complaint volume 138 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2009-09-11Service brakes, hydraulic09V255000 BMW is recalling my 2009 X5 and X6 vehicles. The rear brake discs may not have been manufactured according to specifications. As a result, a reduction in braking performance at the affected rear…

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners and will repair the vehicles by inspecting the rear brake discs and, if necessary, replace them free of charge. The safety recall began on September 11, 2009. Owners may…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2011-10-11Fuel system, diesel11V441000 BMW is recalling certain model year 2009 X5 XDRIVE35D vehicles equipped with a diesel engine and manufactured from October 1, 2008, through June 12, 2009. The fuel filter heater, which is used for…

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter heater free of charge. The safety recall began on October 11, 2011. Owners may contact BMW customer relations and services at…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2013-09-26Fuel system, diesel13V339000 BMW is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 X5 xDrive35d vehicles equipped with a diesel engine and manufactured from June 13, 2009, through November 9, 2009.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter heater, free of charge. The safety recall began on September 26, 2013. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2017-02-08Fuel system, gasoline16V746000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive...

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2017-07-28Air bags16V364000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5M vehicles, 2009-2011 X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2008-2011 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, and 2010-2011...

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or air bag module, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2017-12-28Air bags17V020000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2012 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia,...

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator or air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed March 2017.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2018-03-09Air bags18V030000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, 2009-2010 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2009-2013 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles ever registered in the states of...

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2018-04-18Recall queryClosed 2018-12-01 Idler Pulley Bolt Failure
  10. R
    2018-06-18Engine and engine cooling17V683000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2019-03-11Engine and engine cooling18V336000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2013 X5 xDrive 35d diesel vehicles. The engine idler pulley bolt may loosen over time and break.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the idler pulley bolt with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2019-03-14Air bags19V017000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2010-2011 X6...

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2020-03-11Air bags20V016000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2012 X5 xDrive35d, 2008-2012 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2007-2012 X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid...

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until this remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2020-03-11Air bags20V017000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is,...

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2009 BMW X5 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 45 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 37 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 30 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 09V255000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 11V441000 · Fuel system, diesel
  • Recall 13V339000 · Fuel system, diesel
  • Recall 16V746000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 16V364000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V020000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V030000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V683000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 18V336000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 19V017000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V016000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V017000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2009 BMW X5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 BMW X5 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW X5?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 BMW X5 have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.