2010 BMW X5 engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 23V707000Oct 20, 2023157,796 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

  BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.

  Risk: Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

• Recall 18V336000May 23, 201833,214 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

  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.

  Risk: If the idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

  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.

• Recall 18V248000Apr 18, 201847,806 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

  BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

  Risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

• Recall 17V683000Oct 30, 2017740,561 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

  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. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

  Risk: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

  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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

• Recall 11V521000Oct 20, 201132,084 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

  Bmw is recalling certain model year 2011 5-series, model year 2010-2011 5-series gran turismo, model year 2009-2011 7-series, model year 2010-2011 x5 sav, and model year 2008-2011 x6 sav vehicles equipped with 8- or 12-cylinder, turbocharged, engines because the circuit board for the electric auxiliary water pump can overheat.

  Risk: This could lead to a smoldering of the pump or an engine compartment or vehicle fire.

  Remedy: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary water pump free of charge. The safety recall began on december 19, 2011. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 22, 2026135,000 miWAEngine

   The contact owns a 2010 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and was pulled over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, after the recall repair was performed, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the recall repair indicated that a diagnostic test was required to…

   NHTSA complaint #11752151 · source
2. Filed Sep 30, 2025CAElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   My husband and I brought our 2010 X5 (VIN ), mileage: to BMW of El Cajon on 09/29/2025 for a recall service. Before the recall repaire, the vehicale was in normal working condition: -No check engine lights or warning indicators -No unusual noises -Fully drivable on a daily basis After the recall was completed, the dealership informed me that: -multiple check engine/warning lights appeared -The vehicle developed a very loud/high pitch noise -They do not recommend driving the…

   NHTSA complaint #11690652 · source
3. Filed Jun 9, 2025MIEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   I own a 2010 BMW X5 xDrive30i (VIN: [XXX] ) with two active recalls: the VANOS bolt recall (23V-707) and the PCV valve heater recall (22V-119). Despite these being federally mandated safety repairs, Sharpe BMW in Grand Rapids, MI refused to perform the work without a paid diagnostic and potential full repair payment upfront, stating reimbursement would be decided afterward. I was sent home in an unsafe, recalled vehicle that visibly and audibly shakes at startup and…

   NHTSA complaint #11665881 · source
4. Filed Apr 11, 2025128,000 miCATowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2010 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure…

   NHTSA complaint #11654196 · source
5. Filed Mar 19, 2025116,546 miTXTowedElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact owns a 2010 BMW X5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, her nephew attempted to start the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated there was an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact replaced the battery; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to Firestone, where it was diagnosed that the starter and fuel pump had failed and needed to be…

   NHTSA complaint #11649292 · source
6. Filed Aug 26, 2024200,000 miWITowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2010 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that when the vehicle wase cold started the vehicle was idling rough and vibrating abnormally. The contact stated that…

   NHTSA complaint #11610879 · source
7. Filed Aug 20, 2024FLEngine

   There is a recall for the VANOS variable camshaft timing somehow my vehicle although listed has not received a recall and this is the exact problem I am having with my 2010 x5 BMW 4.8

   NHTSA complaint #11609620 · source
8. Filed May 24, 2024CAEngine

   Hello. I am reporting the remedy that is still not available for my car. It effects the VANOS bolts which you know is a big part of how the car engine works and can end up allowing my car to stall mid trip. This recall began in October, and I have yet to see a remedy. I understand this process takes time, but it is affecting my day to day driving and I feel unsafe. I am hoping to put more pressure to provide us with a remedy soon.

   NHTSA complaint #11590548 · source
9. Filed May 16, 2024FLEngine

   The contact owns a 2010 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

   NHTSA complaint #11589073 · source
10. Filed Mar 18, 2024149,000 miFLEngine

    The contact owns a 2010 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle idled unusually rough. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle was…

    NHTSA complaint #11578116 · source
11. Filed Sep 11, 2023VAEngine

    This is the 3rd time in 2 months that the engine just shut off driving on a highway. I have noticed that it happens if I have driving on a highway for 2 hours or more. The car does not show any sign of issues and does not have any code or check engine light. All of a sudden the engine shuts down and it loses all power, power steering does not work, and brake does not work. It makes for very dangerous condition with traffic coming behind me at 70 miles an hour. I pulled over…

    NHTSA complaint #11543969 · source
12. Filed Jul 9, 2023NCElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    Been having issues with the car for over a month, changed water pump thermostat fuel pump, but it still would crank, got another diagnostic and now I have an engine leak, and FRM ) a serious electrical problem, I feel like some of these things should have been done before the dealer sold the car, I’m asking for help, with getting my car fixed or replaced

    NHTSA complaint #11531143 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology