2021 BMW X5: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle2021 / bmw / x5
known issues8 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-21)
complaints105 on file (2020-12-01 → 2026-09-13)
recalls12
investigations1
fars2 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Pinion starter failure and no-start conditionELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY22 complaints2024-08-08 → 2026-08-09x5-2021-starter-failure
  • 11738107 DME scan reveals 5 fault codes, all for the conventional 12V pinion starter: 21A50A — Pinion starter: timeout occurred several times in succession 21A511 — Pinion starter: timeout 21611A — Pinion starter: starting torque could not be built up
  • 11652031 The vehicle displayed three different messages repeated start attempt, Auto Start/Stop flash stop deactivated, and the drive train service technician required. The vehicle intermittently displayed various messages, and the vehicle struggled to start or there was a delay
  • 11719875 The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the highway, the vehicle shut off. The vehicle was pulled off to the side of the road, but failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with starter…
Engine water pump failure and coolant lossENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING11 complaints2024-08-21 → 2026-07-17x5-2021-water-pump-failure
  • 11689062 Complete water pump failure at 56,611 miles created immediate risk of catastrophic engine overheating and potential engine seizure while driving. BMW-certified mechanic warned that driving vehicle even short distances could result in total engine failure
  • 11693874 the coolant warning light illuminated with the message "Coolant Dangerously Low - Fill Right Away" displayed on the instrument panel. The message was displayed on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the dealer discovered coolant leaking from the bottom of…
  • 11667027 In the middle of a busy intersection, the car just completely shut down. The car only had ~35,000 miles on the odometer and has been serviced only by BMW. It turned out that the water pump broke, which led to downstream impact on additional surrounding systems
Front differential unit failurePOWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT6 complaints2025-11-28 → 2026-07-10x5-2021-front-differential-failure
  • 11701920 The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal grinding and clanking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front differential was faulty and needed to be replaced
  • 11692077 The front differential on my BMW failed at just 47,000 miles. There were no warning lights—only a faint grinding noise that gradually worsened. After inspection, the dealership confirmed the failure and quoted $9,000 for replacement
  • 11756576 The front driveshaft universal joint failed causing the drive shaft to bust a hole in the engine and crack the transmission. There was no knocking noise prior to failure. It suddenly failed, disengaged and caused damage
Drivetrain malfunction warning with power loss while drivingPOWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE8 complaints2020-12-01 → 2026-08-09x5-2021-drivetrain-malfunction-power-loss
  • 11531024 While driving on highway/turnpike with cruise control on at 70 mph, drivetrain malfunction warning appeared and lost power. After turning off cruise control and playing around with buttons, could only get car to go about 35-40 mph, top speed with peddle to the floor
  • 11515242 While driving about 60 mph on a freeway, the vehicle rapidly flashed several "advanced driver system failure" messages, lost all power and came to a stop. It was not possible to prevent the vehicle from rapidly decelerating even by depressing the accelerator all the way to the…
  • 11681132 A drivetrain malfunction warning, chassis warning, auto level suspension was locked, and check engine light was on while driving on the freeway. We made it home safely and parked the BMW X5 45e inside the garage
Panoramic sunroof spontaneous shatteringVISIBILITY/WIPER3 complaints2022-05-10 → 2025-04-23x5-2021-sunroof-shattering
  • 11703190 I was driving 75mph on the highway and my sunroof exploded while driving. It sounded like a gunshot above my head and shattered while going 75mph
  • 11464092 While driving on a highway (with the sunroof closed) I heard a very loud explosion type sound, which was followed by glass falling off my roof. I pulled off the highway as quickly as I could and was able to confirm that the sunroof had exploded
  • 11656386 I was driving and I heard a huge explosion so I pulled over and found that the panoramic sunroof had exploded
Airbag SRS unit damage from cupholder moisture intrusionAIR BAGS3 complaints2021-08-18 → 2023-05-01x5-2021-airbag-srs-cupholder-moisture
  • 11429666 SRS (airbag system) unit that is located underneath center console cupholder can be damaged by a small amount of liquid. Once SRS is damaged, a restraint system failure notification is alerted and the vehicle becomes immobile
  • 11519913 Vehicle is designed where ACSM control unit of the airbags is located directly under the cup holder where moisture and any small leak can short it out. This has happened many times and as BMW will acknowledge the problem, they will not do any repairs under warranty to correct…
Rear cross-traffic alert system non-responseBACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING5 complaints2021-09-16 → 2024-07-20x5-2021-rear-cross-traffic-alert-failure
  • 11590006 Rear cross traffic alert does not work in the subject car. BMW Owners' Manual describes a system that should alert from two parking spaces away while backing out, the system gives no alert as described
  • 11433205 System fails to notify me of pedestrians/cross traffic when backing out of driveway, parking lots, etc. Multiple near misses. Orange/red shadows on screen do not appear. Ditto for beeps
  • 11476224 When in reverse, the vehicle doesn't give any warning (audio or visual) that a person or vehicle is approaching on either side
Unintended vehicle acceleration or movement eventsPOWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL5 complaints2021-12-29 → 2023-10-26x5-2021-phev-unintended-motion
  • 11546846 The contact stated that while sitting in the vehicle and with the vehicle running, it suddenly accelerated on its own. As a result, the vehicle jolted into traffic and collided first with a bicyclist before continuing on to collide with the rear of another vehicle
  • 11449735 as her husband was stopped at a stop light, the vehicle began to rev after he had taken his foot off the brake pedal without warning. Once her husband placed his foot back on the brake pedal, the revving stopped, and her husband was able to resume normal driving
  • 11448346 The contact stated while his wife was reversing the vehicle into the main road when shifting gears into drive, the vehicle began to reverse independently while still depressing on the brake pedal. The contact stated the vehicle ran into two different trees and slashed the front…

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
1052020-12-012026-09-1393ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:36; POWER TRAIN:26; ENGINE:24; UNKNOWN OR OTHER:17; BACK OVER PREVENTION:9

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
21V08900018/02/2021SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:CRITICAL FASTENERSBMW 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.A loose brake disc could affect vehicle handling and control, and increase the risk of a crash.BMW 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.
20V76100009/12/2020ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERYBMW 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.Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.BMW 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.
21V09600019/02/2021BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERABMW 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."If 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.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.
21V15600010/03/2021SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINTBMW 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.In the event of a crash, the head restraints could detach, and increase the risk of injury.BMW 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.
20V52800001/09/2020EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTSBMW 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."Oncoming drivers may be confused by the blue light of approaching vehicles, which could potentially increase the risk of a crash.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.
21V06200010/02/2021SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICBMW 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.A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.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.
20V48300014/08/2020TIRESBMW 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.A rapid loss of tire pressure while the vehicle is moving can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.BMW 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.
21V03100029/01/2021STEERING:COLUMNBMW 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.A loose steering column shaft universal joint connection can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.BMW 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.
20V67800004/11/2020SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARMBMW 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.If 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.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.
20V60100030/09/2020ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERYBMW 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.The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.BMW 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.
20V49000018/08/2020ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERYBMW 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.A short-circuited hybrid battery may increase the risk of a fire.BMW 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.
22V26700020/04/2022VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLYBMW 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."A sunroof that closes without the key fob present inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury.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.

Investigations all years →

action_numberstatussubjectcomponentsopenedclosedrecall_campaignsummary
DP22005closedPedestrian alert soundsELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM2023-01-272023-08-0722V063000NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_yearsoccupant_deathsmatch_typevpic_recovered
2010-20242legacy-code0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2021 BMW X5 vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2021/bmw/x5
@misc{wrenchpro_2021_bmw_x5_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2021 BMW X5},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2021/bmw/x5}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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