2016 BMW X5 electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 24V608000Aug 13, 2024720,796 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:CONNECTORS/PLUGS/RECEPTACLES · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP

  BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

  Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

• Recall 16V919000Dec 21, 20168 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

  BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 X5 xDrive40e vehicles manufactured July 29, 2015, to September 9, 2015. The affected vehicles have a Digital Motor Electronic (DME) control unit that may have a loose electrical ground cable, possibly causing an under-voltage condition which would result in the transmission shifting to neutral.

  Risk: If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

  Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the ground cable, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

What owners say

1. Filed May 5, 2026114,865 miNJElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact owns a 2016 BMW X5 PHEV. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), but the failure persisted. The contact stated that a month after the repairs were completed, the coolant connector would stay on and drain the battery. The contact stated that after the vehicle was turned off at night, the coolant connector overheated and the battery drained. The contact needs to jump-start the battery every…

   NHTSA complaint #11735914 · source
2. Filed Feb 23, 2026NCElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The component that failed appears to be the hybrid propulsion and charging system, including the high-voltage battery management system and/or integrated charging electronics. The vehicle will not accept a charge from any home or public charging source. The high-voltage battery was replaced approximately one year ago; however, the charging failure persists. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. In addition to the charging failure, the vehicle displayed…

   NHTSA complaint #11719865 · source
3. Filed Dec 26, 2025FLElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Subject: Consequential Damage and Failure of Remedy regarding Recall 24V-608 Incident Description: "I am reporting a failure of the manufacturer to provide an effective remedy for Safety Recall 24V-608 (Electric Water Pump) and subsequent consequential damage to the High-Voltage battery system. In September 2023, at approximately 78,000 miles, this vehicle exhibited 'Drivetrain Malfunctions' including Fault Code 0x222626 (EME: internal fault - active short circuit requested)…

   NHTSA complaint #11707138 · source
4. Filed Nov 22, 2025FLAirbagsDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   Because of this water intrusion, the following safety systems have malfunctioned or failed: • ABS and DSC (stability control) warnings • Chassis stabilization warning • Frontal collision and pedestrian warning malfunction • Airbag system warning • Loss of audible warning tones • MOST bus communication failure • Electrical modules intermittently shutting down or throwing codes These failures affect braking, stability control, crash avoidance, and driver alerts, creating a…

   NHTSA complaint #11700942 · source
5. Filed Apr 23, 2025120,000 miCAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, and the contact discovered an unknown liquid leaking underneath of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted…

   NHTSA complaint #11656422 · source
6. Filed Mar 7, 2025FLElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact owns a 2016 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

   NHTSA complaint #11646981 · source
7. Filed Feb 13, 2025121,000 miPAElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact owns a 2016 BMW X5. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the check engine warning illuminated. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed and the battery needed to be registered. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL…

   NHTSA complaint #11642473 · source
8. Filed Dec 30, 2024ILElectrical SystemEngine

   My water pump recall involves an electrical short circuits, that has disrupted other nearby electrical components, like the temperature sensor. • The water pump short-circuit is causing an oil leak directly that is putting a strain the engine and turbo system. • Additionally, a faulty water pump or sensor allowed unnoticed overheating, further stressing the turbocharger seals and leading to dangerous oil leaks oil continues to leak into the turbo system, damaging my…

   NHTSA complaint #11633078 · source
9. Filed Nov 15, 2024CAElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact owns a 2016 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

   NHTSA complaint #11625457 · source
10. Filed Oct 25, 2024CTElectrical SystemEngine

    The contact owns a 2016 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was 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…

    NHTSA complaint #11621918 · source
11. Filed Apr 27, 2024CAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    While running house errands April 26,2024, late in the afternoon around 4:15 pm to 4:30 pm or so estimated BMW X5 suddenly shutdown in the middle of road from a major stop light intersection with no warning signs displayed on the dashboard no display of any indicators on the dashboard just suddenly shutdown car would not move & could not operate the car : many cars behind us were inconvenienced & some drivers pissed off since I was blocking traffic Called towing services &…

    NHTSA complaint #11585584 · source
12. Filed Apr 26, 2024TXElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    Vehicle looses power with " Powertrain Malfunction' displaying on the dashboard. Several codes for the Hybrid Battery failure. Per BMW USA, Hybrid System has 8 years 80000 mile warranty. BMW USA and or authorized BMW Dealership does not want to honor the warranty, claiming the Hybrid Battery might have been OVERUSED. Vehicle only has 65K miles and it is within the warranty period.

    NHTSA complaint #11585426 · 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