2021 BMW X5 problems and complaints
Owners have filed 114 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 BMW X5. The most-reported areas: Electrical System (39), Power Train (33), Engine (25).
Key takeaways
- 114 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 10 involve a crash, 3 a fire, 7 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 39 | 34% |
| Power Train | 33 | 29% |
| Engine | 25 | 22% |
| Unknown Or Other | 19 | 17% |
| Back Over Prevention | 9 | 8% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 | 6% |
| Air Bags | 7 | 6% |
| Service Brakes | 6 | 5% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 5 | 4% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 4% |
| Structure | 4 | 4% |
| Steering | 3 | 3% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
Parts for the 2021 BMW X5
GarageDex's verified specs for this car. Each Buy button searches Amazon for that exact part.
- Battery
- Engine oil
- Oil filter
- Engine air filter
- Cabin air filter
- Wiper blades
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 BMW X5 SUV AWD | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| 2021 BMW X5 SUV RWD | Not rated | 4/5 | 5/5 | Not rated |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Power Train - filed 2026-11-05
Front differential outer pinion bearing failed at 50,000 miles. Bmw states that it has lifetime fluid in the differential so the fluid was never serviced. The inherent design is flawed as the ball bearings are undersized and the factory fluid 75w-80 degrades very quickly with heat from the engine leading to premature b...
Electrical System - filed 2026-11-03
The alternator terminal post overheated and broke off. The terminal post from the alternator broke off inside the middle of the cable eyelet and had welded itself to the end of the power cable. The cable showed signs of being overheated and melted. The power cable was loose and dangling next to the alternator creati...
Power Train - filed 2026-11-03
Component: Power Train (Transmission, Transfer Case, Front Differential) Dates of Failures: First Incident (Front Differential): May 2024 / Second Incident (Transfer Case, Transmission, Front Differential): October–November 2026 Description of Safety Risk and Incident: I am reporting a catastrophic, systemic driveline ...
Diagnose it yourself
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
More for the 2021 BMW X5
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.