2009 BMW X5
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 29 |
| 2001 | 160 |
| 2002 | 102 |
| 2003 | 99 |
| 2004 | 64 |
| 2005 | 82 |
| 2006 | 167 |
| 2007 | 71 |
| 2008 | 215 |
| 2009 | 138 |
| 2010 | 122 |
| 2011 | 263 |
| 2012 | 271 |
| 2013 | 148 |
| 2014 | 98 |
| 2015 | 149 |
| 2016 | 70 |
| 2017 | 73 |
| 2018 | 67 |
| 2019 | 177 |
| 2020 | 97 |
| 2021 | 95 |
| 2022 | 56 |
| 2023 | 29 |
| 2024 | 141 |
| 2025 | 56 |
| 2026 | 10 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
30% of complaints: air bags — 41 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY27% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 37 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow 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, 20171227
Crank no start scanner saying it is in 3rd gear not park.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240715
22% of complaints: engine — 30 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow 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, 20171227
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, 20170103
THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP OVERHEATED AND CAUSED SMOLDERING. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20150127
12% of complaints: electrical system — 16 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
Crank no start scanner saying it is in 3rd gear not park.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240715
7% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS AND SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171228
I WAS DRIVING ON THE 95 SOUTH, BETWEEN EXIT 28 TO 39( WILLMINGTON AREA, MA) YESTERDAY ( 5/18/13) ABOUT 6:30PM. I WAS ON FAST LANE, DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH, SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST POWER, THE DASHBOARD WARNING SIGN SHOWING POWER OUTPUT DOWN.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130519
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 WHE
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 CONTA
Campaign 09V255000 — check if this car was fixed
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 WA
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 1-800-5
Campaign 11V441000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 13V339000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 16V746000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 16V364000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 17V020000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 18V030000 — check if this car was fixed
Idler Pulley Bolt Failure
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.
Campaign 17V683000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 18V336000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 19V017000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 20V016000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 20V017000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2009 BMW X5 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (41 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (37 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (30 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 09V255000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V441000 (fuel system, diesel) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V339000 (fuel system, diesel) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V746000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V364000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V020000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V030000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V336000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V017000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V016000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V017000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 BMW X5 have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.