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2007 BMW X5 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 BMW X5 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Sunroof drain water intrusion into electrical modules.” BMW vehicles use Condition-Based Service (CBS) — the dashboard shows each service item with its own remaining mileage and time, calculated by sensors. The schedule below shows BMW's underlying targets. BMW Ultimate Care covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of factory-scheduled maintenance on most new vehicles.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 BMW X5.

Reported to NHTSA

Sunroof drain water intrusion into electrical modules

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE

11 NHTSA complaints · 2011-02 → 2020-12

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER DRAINED INTO THE MODULE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE RADIO AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM TO EXPERIENCE A SHORT CIRCUIT FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10809335
“COMPLAINT IS OF A 2007 BMW X-5(PURCHASED 6 MONTHS AGO). I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE CARPET IN THE FLOOR BOARD(PASSENGER SIDE) GETS WET. SINCE HAS DISCOVERED THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10383904
“THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT OF PROBLEMS CAUSED BY WATER INTRUSION OF MY 2007 BMW X-5. FIRST COMPLAINT WAS THE PASSENGER-SIDE FLOORBOARD CARPET GETTING WET. NOW, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS GETTING WET. MY SATELLITE RADIO RECEIVER WAS DESTROYED BY MOISTURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10399708

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electromechanical parking brake malfunction

SERVICE BRAKES

7 NHTSA complaints · 2007-10 → 2018-01

“SAFETY ITEM. PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE CITY STREET, THE PARKING BRAKE GOT ENGAGE BY ITSELF, MAKING IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE AND GOT ALL KIND OF WARNINGS ON THE SCREEN. ABS, 4X4, PARK, AWD, DSC,EBV”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11062555
“I HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT THAT ANOTHER OWNER MADE UNDER NHTSA ID NUMBER 10483182. THE PLASTIC ROCKER SWITCH FOR THE ELECTROMECHANICAL PARKING/EMERGENCY BRAKE BROKE DURING THE COURSE OF NORMAL ACTUATION AND REQUIRED THE ENTIRE "EMF SWITCH" ASSEMBLY TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10669903
“ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE TOTALLY LOCK UP THE CAR. THE CAR IS TOTALLY LOCK UP, CAN'T MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. HAVE TO BE TOW ON THE TOW TRUCK BED TO THE DEALER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10524213

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag inflator and fuel pump recall parts delay

AIR BAGS

38 NHTSA complaints · 2016-03 → 2018-03

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V020000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11076887
“TAKATA RECALL I WAS IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON THE INTERSTATE GOING DOWNWARD ON THE RAMP WITH MY 2007 X5. MY TIRE BLEW OFF THE RIM CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND EVENTUALLY STRIKE THE SIDE WALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10990820
“16V-071 : DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE RECALL - CALLED BMX ON LEMMON AVE IN DALLAS, TX TO HAVE THIS REPLACED AND THEY SAID THE DID NOT HAVE THE PART NOR KNOW WHEN THEY WILL HAVE THEM. I WROTE TO BMW AND THEY REPLIED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE TO DO SO UNTIL SPRING 2017”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10925385

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake failure to stop with extended pedal travel

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

18 NHTSA complaints · 2013-03 → 2025-04

“I WAS DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED AND TRIED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP BUT MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP. BREAK PEDAL WAS PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN AND CAR WOULD NOT STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11229758
“THE VEHICLE HAS NO BRAKES WHAT SO EVER. THE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO STOP IS IF YOU PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10787398
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10809501

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Water pump failure and coolant or oil leaks

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

14 NHTSA complaints · 2010-06 → 2026-01

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE OVERHEAT WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10496573
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X5. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE WATER PUMP HAD FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10437491
“MY VEHICLE HAS THE COMMONLY AND POPULARLY KNOWN WEEP HOLE COOLANT LEAK. APPARENTLY, BMW HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM IN PREVIOUS YEAR MODEL CARS, DATING BACK TO 2002”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11220177

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger seat occupant detection sensor warning

AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, SEATS

13 NHTSA complaints · 2012-01 → 2022-10

“I HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT THAT ANOTHER OWNER MADE UNDER NHTSA ID NUMBER 10621394, PERTAINING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V564000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10669901
“I HAD AN ON & OFF ISSUE SINCE LAST WEEK OF THIS YEAR ABOUT THE AIRBAG & SEATBELT WARNING BEING ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD & OVERHEAD CONSOLE OF MY 2007 BMW 530 XI”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10593738
“THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT AIRBAG/SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT SHOW UP BECAUSE THE MAT SENSOR UNDER PASSENAGE SEAT IS BROKEN BY NORMAL USE. BMW REFUSE TO HONOR THE FREE FIX FOR THIS ISSUE AND WANTED TO CHARGE AROUND $1300 FOR THE REPAIR THE SAFTY ISSUE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10443609

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tail lamp housing melting at bulb socket

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

4 NHTSA complaints · 2018-12 → 2021-05

“When purchased, it was discovered that the OE Passenger Side (Right) brake light/indicator housing of this vehicle had melted from the heat of the standard OE halogen brake bulb, causing the brake light to fall out of its placement in the housing”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11417551
“COMPLAINT SENT. REAR PASSENGER TAIL LAMP BULBS HOUSING IS BURNT AND MELTED NOT ALLOWING BULB TO BE REPLACED CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD FROM FIRE AS WELL AS NOT HAVING APPROPRIATE SIGNALING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11232412
“I'M GETTING WARNING LIGHTS ON MY DASH STATING MY TAILLIGHTS ARE OUT. I CHECKED BOTH TAILLIGHTS AND THE HOUSING THAT HOLDS THE BULBS ARE MELTED THROUGH. THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT CAUSES THE BULBS TO OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11156823

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil Service (CBS)

Every 10,000 mi

Replace BMW Longlife-04 (LL-04) full-synthetic oil and filter every 10,000 miles or annually — whichever the CBS system signals first. M-series engines may require shorter intervals; check the vehicle-specific iDrive screen.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Brake Fluid Service (CBS)

Every 24,000 mi

Replace DOT 4 LV brake fluid every 2 years regardless of mileage. CBS triggers based on time, not miles, due to moisture absorption.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Vehicle Check / Inspection (CBS)

Every 30,000 mi

Multi-point inspection covering brakes, suspension, steering, exhaust, fluids, lighting, and underbody. CBS signals every 30,000 miles or 2 years.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free with any paid service. A flashlight and 10 minutes covers the basics yourself.

Engine Air Filter

Every 40,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 40,000 miles. Higher-performance N55, B58, and S58 engines should be inspected at every oil service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

B48 (2.0L turbo) and B58 (3.0L turbo) require new spark plugs every 60,000 miles. N20/N55 engines often spec 45,000 miles. M-series typically 30,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Automatic Transmission Fluid (ZF 8HP)

Every 60,000 mi

BMW labels the ZF 8HP automatic as 'lifetime fill,' but independent transmission specialists strongly recommend replacement every 60,000 miles. Use BMW-spec ZF Lifeguard 8 — no substitutes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD and xDrive AWD: replace rear diff fluid every 60,000 miles, sooner with M-Sport or active differential. M-cars require BMW SAF-XO synthetic.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

xDrive Transfer Case Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

BMW xDrive AWD: replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Skipping this causes the most common xDrive failure — actuator stuck in 100/0 split.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Microfilter (Cabin Air Filter)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the activated-carbon microfilter every 30,000 miles. Most BMWs have a single combined cabin/charcoal filter behind the engine bay firewall.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Engine Coolant (G48 / HT-12)

On condition / lifetime

BMW labels coolant as lifetime fill on most modern vehicles. Independent BMW specialists recommend replacement every 4-5 years to prevent water-pump and thermostat housing degradation.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

9 crashes 1990–2024

How the 9 occupant deaths break down

7

driver deaths

2

passenger deaths

9

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2012 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

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. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

6

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2007 BMW X5 reflects BMW's published service intervals and the Condition-Based Service system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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