2020 BMW X5
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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
39% of complaints: electrical system — 38 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20220313
25% of complaints: engine — 24 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
The car caught on fire spontaneously when it was parked and locked. The fire started approximately 5 minutes after it was driven for 20 minutes. The fire started under the hood.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250208
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20220313
14% of complaints: power train — 14 distinct reports on file.
CRASH14% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 14 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: air bags — 6 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i and X7 M50i vehicles. The steering rack pinion teeth may break under load, resulting in a loss of steering control.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 19V631000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i,...
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735.
Campaign 19V684000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i and X5 xDrive50i vehicles and 2020 X6M vehicles.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering column shaft bearing plate and properly attach or replace it, as necessary, free of charge. BMW telephoned owners and all of the vehicles have been remedied.
Campaign 20V434000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive 40i, X5 xDrive 40i and one X7 xDrive 40i vehicle. The starter motor may have an extra bolt that could potentially fall into the transmission housing and cause an engine stall.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the starter motor for the extra bolt, removing it if necessary.
Campaign 20V465000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X6 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M, X7 M50i and 2021 X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The headlamps may allow a blue light to illuminate.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlamps and, if necessary, replace them, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 20V528000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i and X6M vehicles and 2021 X5 xDrive45e vehicles.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle support, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 20V678000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7,...
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 21V096000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6...
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 21V062000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive); 2019-2022 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M; 2021-2022 X5 xdrive45e; 2020-2022 X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6...
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the roof function control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 22V267000 — check if this car was fixed
Pedestrian alert sounds
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5, X7, 2020 3 Series Sedan, X6, 2020-2021 7 Series Sedan, 2020 8 Series Convertible, 8 Series Coupe, and 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 24V576000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 340I, X6, 2020-2025 840I, 2020-2022 740LI, 2019-2020 X7, and X5 vehicles. After repeated attempts, the starter motor may overheat from an electrical overload.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. This recall includes vehicles repaired under recall 24V576 and those owners will need to have their vehicle repaired again. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2026.
Campaign 25V644000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2020 BMW X5 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (38 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (24 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (14 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 19V631000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V684000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V434000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V465000 (electrical system, power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V528000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V678000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V096000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V062000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V267000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V576000 (electrical system, engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V644000 (electrical system) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
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FAQ
Is the 2020 BMW X5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2020 BMW X5 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2020 BMW X5?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 BMW X5 have?
11 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.