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2021 Bmw X5: Recalls, Complaints & Safety Ratings

12Safety recalls
94Owner complaints
4★NHTSA overall
Quick answer

The 2021 Bmw X5 has 12 open NHTSA safety recalls and 94 owner complaints on file, with an overall 4-star NHTSA crash-test rating. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Check a specific VIN to confirm whether the work was done and to verify mileage and title.

Safety record reviewed June 2026 · sourced from NHTSA

The 2021 Bmw X5 has 12 open safety recalls and 94 owner complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it earned an overall 4-star NHTSA crash-test rating. Below is the public safety record. To see whether a specific X5 had its recalls repaired and how its mileage and title check out, run that car's VIN.

Safety recalls

1

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Campaign 21V089000 · 18/02/2021

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i and X5 xDrive40i vehicles. The right front brake disc may have been assembled with incorrect fasteners, which over time, could result in the front brake disc becoming loose.

RiskA loose brake disc could affect vehicle handling and control, and increase the risk of a crash.
RemedyBMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the right front brake disc and replace it if necessary, along with the unaffected left side brake disc, free of charge. There are no owner vehicles affected; therefore, owner notification is not necessary and, as such, a planned owner notification date is not entered into the recall schedule. Owners may contact BMW's customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Campaign 20V761000 · 09/12/2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator may not have been assembled properly, which can cause increased electrical resistance at the connections.

RiskIncreased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.
RemedyBMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
3

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Campaign 21V096000 · 19/02/2021

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, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

RiskIf the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
RemedyBMW 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.
4

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

Campaign 21V156000 · 10/03/2021

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5 xDrive45e, 2021 X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i, and XB7 vehicles. The head restraints on the second-row outer seats may be the incorrect type for the vehicle.

RiskIn the event of a crash, the head restraints could detach, and increase the risk of injury.
RemedyBMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the head restraints, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
5

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Campaign 20V528000 · 01/09/2020

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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

RiskOncoming drivers may be confused by the blue light of approaching vehicles, which could potentially increase the risk of a crash.
RemedyBMW 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.
6

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Campaign 21V062000 · 10/02/2021

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 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, and 2021 M3, M3 Competition, M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, X5 xDrive45e, 745 Le xDrive. The rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and could separate during a hard braking event, possibly resulting in a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and braking assistance.

RiskA loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.
RemedyBMW 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.
7

TIRES

Campaign 20V483000 · 14/08/2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X6 (sDrive40i, xDrive40i and M50i) and X5 (sDrive40i, xDrive40i and M50i) vehicles equipped with certain Pirelli tires. The tires may have a damaged inner layer, possibly resulting in a rapid loss of pressure while the vehicle is moving.

RiskA rapid loss of tire pressure while the vehicle is moving can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
RemedyBMW has notified all of the affected owners, and dealers will replace the defective tires, free of charge. BMW has contacted owners by telephone and those owners have had their cars remedied. Owner notification letters will not be sent. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
8

STEERING:COLUMN

Campaign 21V031000 · 29/01/2021

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5M, X5 xDrive45e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i vehicles. The steering column shaft's universal joint connection may not have been tightened to specifications, and can become loose.

RiskA loose steering column shaft universal joint connection can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
RemedyBMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, depending upon the inspection, either the bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, or the steering column shaft, universal joint, and bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
9

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

Campaign 20V678000 · 04/11/2020

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. The weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket may separate.

RiskIf the weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket separates, vehicle handling and control may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
RemedyBMW 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.
10

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

Campaign 20V601000 · 30/09/2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.

RiskThe debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
RemedyBMW will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge. The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is completed, drivers are instructed to not charge their vehicles. Drivers are instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. Owners were notified of the safety risk October 23, 2020. The recall began November 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
11

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Campaign 20V490000 · 18/08/2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330e and X5 xDrive45e, 2020-2021 X3 xDrive30e, and 2020 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. Loose welding beads may form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells which could lead to a short-circuit.

RiskA short-circuited hybrid battery may increase the risk of a fire.
RemedyBMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery modules, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 16, 2020. Although potentially affected BMW owners received interim owner notification letters, all potentially affected BMW owner vehicles have been remedied; therefore, BMW Final owner notification letters will not be necessary. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
12

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

Campaign 22V267000 · 20/04/2022

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 xDrive50i, X6M and 2019-2023 X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, X7 xDrive60i, X7 M60i, X7M, Alpina XB7 vehicles. The roof function control unit may be programmed incorrectly, allowing the sunroof to close without the key fob present inside the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."

RiskA sunroof that closes without the key fob present inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury.
RemedyDealers 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.

What owners complain about

The systems 2021 Bmw X5 owners report most often to federal regulators:

Electrical System30
Power Train23
Engine21
Unknown Or Other16
Back Over Prevention8
Air Bags7

NHTSA crash-test ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Overall★★★★★

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Bmw X5 have any recalls?

Yes. The 2021 Bmw X5 has 12 NHTSA recall campaigns. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Check your specific VIN to see whether the work was completed.

What problems do 2021 Bmw X5 owners report?

Owners have filed 94 complaints with the NHTSA for the 2021 Bmw X5, most often about the electrical system, power train, engine.

How do I check a specific X5's history?

Enter the 17-character VIN into Carchieve. You get the recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings shown here for that exact vehicle, plus full decoded specifications and a guided title and odometer check.

Check a specific 2021 Bmw X5

This page covers the model. For one exact car, run its 17-character VIN to confirm its recalls, mileage and title.

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Other model years

2015 Bmw X52016 Bmw X52017 Bmw X52018 Bmw X52019 Bmw X52020 Bmw X5