Last updated: 2026-10-10

BMW X5

BMW X5 Years to Avoid

9 scored model years (2018–2026) · model average 59/100

Skip the 2019 model. Its main trouble is starting failures, where an overheating starter leaves the car unable to crank, plus oil pump failures. The 2022 is the better buy, with far fewer complaints and only one recall on file.

Verdict

Avoid
2019 52/100
Buy
2022 67/100
Model average
59/100
See years to avoid ↓See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

BMW X5 Years to Avoid

These model years score significantly below the BMW X5 average of 59/100.

#YearScoreRatingRecallsComplaintsTop Issue
1201952/100Mixed13157Electrical System (45)

Why These Years Should Be Avoided

52
MixedReliability score: 52 out of 100, rated Mixed

2019 BMW X5

Starting failures dominate the complaints. Starters overheat, smoke or smell of burning, and the car will not crank, sometimes after auto start/stop shuts the engine off in traffic. Oil pumps also fail, with plastic internal parts reported cracking. Steering that twitches in cold weather adds to a year with the most complaints of any.

13 recalls157 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Electrical System (45), Engine (19), Unknown Or Other (19), Steering (18), Power Train (14), Engine And Engine Cooling (11)

View full 2019reliability report →

What Are Common BMW X5 Problems?

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

122 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2021, 2020

2019: Starting failures dominate.

SERVICE BRAKES

105 complaints

Most reported in 2024, 2025, 2019

2024: Braking power assist drops out, so the pedal takes more force and the SUV takes longer to stop.

POWER TRAIN

94 complaints

Most reported in 2021, 2024, 2022

2021: Drivetrain malfunction warnings cut power on the highway, and some cars can only reach about 35 to 40 mph.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

60 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2021, 2018

2019: This category mixes unrelated faults.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

42 complaints

Most reported in 2020, 2019, 2018

2020: The engine fails to start or shuts off at a stop, usually with a system-overheated message telling the driver to wait for it to cool.

ENGINE

34 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2020, 2024

2019: The oil pump fails, and reports point to plastic internal parts that crack or break apart.

Best BMW X5 Year to Buy Instead

67
GoodReliability score: 67 out of 100, rated Good

2022 BMW X5

The 2022 has one recall on file and 51 owner complaints, against 13 recalls and 157 complaints for 2019. It also avoids the brake complaints that stand out on 2024. It is not trouble free, since sudden power loss warnings and water pump leaks are reported, but it has been on the road long enough to judge.

Score: 67/100 (Good)1 recalls51 complaints
View full 2022reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2022 BMW X5 has 1 recall on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All BMW X5 Years by Generation

BMW X5 Reliability Scores by Year

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Frequently Asked Questions

Which BMW X5 years should I avoid?
Avoid the 2019. Site analysis puts it well below the model's own average. It has 157 owner complaints, the most of any year, led by electrical problems such as starters that overheat and leave the car unable to crank. The 2022 is the better buy.
Which BMW X5 year has engine problems?
The 2019 has the clearest engine pattern. Owners report oil pump failures, with plastic internal parts cracking and a low oil pressure warning telling them to stop. Failures cluster between about 35,000 and 90,000 miles. Some reports say the 2020 switched to a metal pump.
Does the 2022 BMW X5 have water pump problems?
A few owners report them. The 2022 has three engine cooling complaints, all about water pump leaks or failures. Campaign 24V608000 addresses this problem, but the 2022 was not part of its original VIN selection, and owners say the repair was not covered under recall.
Which BMW X5 years have brake complaints?
The 2024 and 2025 models stand out for brakes. Hydraulic service brake complaints are the most reported problem on both years, with 46 on the 2024. Across all years, some brake reports describe a failure on a highway exit ramp that ended in a crash.
Is the 2026 BMW X5 a good buy?
It is too early to tell. The 2026 has only 3 owner complaints, but that mostly reflects how little time it has been on the road. Complaints pile up with age. Its recall count and rating are mixed, so it should not be favored yet.

How we score every BMW X5 model year

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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