2021 BMW X5 Engine Problems
17 complaints about Engine
High Severity Issue
This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.
This Problem Across All Years
All Engine Complaints (17)
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, unknown warning lights illuminated on several occasions. The failure had occurred while driving and while restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the starter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.
Mileage: 44,000
In the middle of driving, multiple warning lights came on in the car and the steering became very stiff, which made it difficult to steer the car. We brought the car to the dealer service station and they identified that the crank pulley system had a failure and the vibration damper needed to be replaced. Apparently, this issue also resulted in the engine not properly charging the car battery, which also resulted in battery failure. This car only has about 38,000 miles on it and has been plagued by safety issues. The difficulty steering the car could have resulted in an accident on the road. This same car also had a water pump failure at approximately 35-36k miles that was separately reported to NHTSA previously.
BMW 2021 X5 Engine starter failed. BMW South Miami dealership troubleshooting found the starter motor faulty and replaced it. This failure is NOT part of the current starter recall for BMW X5. (25V644000) My X5 maufactured date is June of 2021. I purchased the X5 In July of 2021. I paid $2166.35 for repairs and I am seaking a refund.
The vehicle shakes at low speeds with a jolt and vibration when turning. When I pressed the accelerator from a standstill, the gas pedal broke off from its floor mounted bracket.
Component Failed: Water pump (engine cooling system) - Part has been superseded by BMW with upgraded version, indicating manufacturer awareness of defect. Failed component retained and available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: 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, creating risk of: Sudden loss of power on highways/intersections Engine fire from overheating Being stranded in dangerous locations/conditions Complete loss of steering assist if engine stops Confirmation: BMW-certified independent mechanic (formerly employed by BMW) confirmed water pump failure and identified it as "common B58 engine issue." BMW dealer (Silver Spring) immediately quoted exact repair cost of $2,300, indicating familiarity with this failure pattern. Mechanic documented that BMW has superseded the original part with an upgraded design, suggesting manufacturer acknowledgment of defect. Inspection Status: Failed part preserved by mechanic with full documentation including BMW's superseded part number from their system. Vehicle not inspected by BMW due to dealer network failure - three dealers failed to respond, one took 5+ hours to return call, none could provide service in reasonable timeframe. Warning Signs: No prior warning symptoms. Failure was sudden and catastrophic. Temperature gauge spiked without warning during normal driving conditions. No previous cooling system issues or warning lights. Regular maintenance performed per BMW specifications. Additional Pattern Evidence: Research reveals extensive documentation of identical B58 engine water pump failures between 40,000-60,000 miles across multiple BMW models (X5, X3, 3-series, 5-series) on owner forums. BMW's decision to supersede the part without issuing a recall suggests they are aware of the defect.
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. I plugged in my charger and was not able to charge. Went to start on electric mode/hybrid mode but was not able to turn on. Then I switched to sport mode via gas and engine started but stuttered, and was unable to switch gears from parking to reverse or to forward. Engine continued to shut studded and then engine and electrical completely shut down. I will contact BMW Riverside on Monday.
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. BMW X5’s up to model year 2019 had recalls due to faulty water pumps. From an independent search online, it appears there are many owners of 2021 BMWs who have experienced water pump failures like I did. This could have led to a major safety incident as my husband nearly avoided an accident. If this had occurred suddenly on a highway, for example, that could have resulted in a multi-car accident as the car very suddenly died and came to a stop.
Starter problem . When starting the start button , we have to do couple times .i saw recalls for starter problems on ur website and internet too
UNKNOWN
In a parking garage I found a open space and slowly moving towards that to park, car was approaching space at about 10 ft from that, all of a sudden car accelerated and lurched forward and hit the parking structure wall. Airbags deployed for all three of us, one of my colleagues was in passenger seat, another in the back seat. There was no warning on no time to react, this happens in seconds.
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 floor. The vehicle rapidly decelerated, forcing other drivers behind to swerve to avoid a crash.
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X5. The contact stated that 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. On a separate occasion, her husband was waiting for a vehicle to move out of a parking spot; the same failure occurred as her husband took his foot off the brake pedal. Her husband was forced to slam on the brakes as the engine continued to rev and the vehicle lurched forward. The contact who was seated in the passenger’s seat, shut off the vehicle to avoid hitting the vehicle in front. Her husband restarted the vehicle and drove it home; he then had the vehicle towed to the dealer the next day. The dealer inspected the vehicle but could not duplicate the failure. The service tech was not satisfied with the results and decided to call the manufacturer to approve more testing of the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000. The VIN was not available.
Mileage: 14,000
Previously reported that the BMW X5e, Plug in hybrid, shuts itself off once the driver's door is opened leaving anybody in the car at risk of serious health problems or even death! A menu selection option should disable this unsafe practice but it does not work. As if there is a software glitch. Other models, the X3e stays on when the driver's door is opened. I've previously reported this item but now my father has injured himself recently. After a medical appointment and retrieving his medications my father was in the car in unsafe and deadly heat and attempted to exit the vehicle due to the car shutting itself off and he fell and hurt himself. The manufacturer has been contacted several times and at times they say this should not be happening but the dealers are saying that is how the vehicle is designed. I also have videos of the other models not shutting off for review. PLEASE FIX THIS ITEM!
Vehicle was being driven and showed power supply issue and then flashed a drive train warning and lost propulsion power. The vehicle started hopping / jerking. The A/C stopped working and the center console became intensely hot to the touch; so much so it was uncomfortable to keep you hand on the center console. The vehicle is currently at the dealership stating they believe a software update was needed. The issues mirror those that occurred when the car failed as a result of a previous EV battery recall. Issue concerns me as the intense heat created makes me concern about of potential electrical fire or failure when driving at higher speeds. Occurred on July 10, 2021.
THIS IS A NEW BMW X5 2 MONTHS OLD WITH 2000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED NOT RUNNING WITH NO POWER IN MY GARAGE. ON SATURDAY MORNING IT SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED INTO FLAMES. I HAPPENED TO BE NEAR THE GARAGE AND SPOTTED THE FLAMES 4-5 FEET TALL SHOOTING OUT FROM HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY RAN INSIDE TO ENSURE MY FAMILY WAS EXITING THE HOUSE AND WE CALLED 911. I ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES WITH A HOSE WHILE WAITING ON THE FIRE DEPT. THEY ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED AND CUT ALL ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE VEHICLE AND WINCHED IT OUT OF MY GARAGE. VERY UPSETTING AND DISTURBING THAT THE NEW VEHICLE RANDOMLY BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE SITTING IN GARAGE.
Mileage: 2,000
MY X5 WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND STARTED BY ITSELF WHILE I WAS OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE WITH GARAGE DOORS CLOSED. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE ENGINE BY USING THE BMW CONNECTED APP. I DID NOT HAVE ANY SCHEDULED OR PROGRAMMED START EVENTS.I CALLED BMW CORPORATE AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE X5 TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC SCAN WHICH COULD NOT BE SCHEDULED FOR TWO DAYS FROM NOW.
Mileage: 2,973
CAR HAD 2 ALERTS 2.5 HRS INTO JOURNEY, HAVING GONE I-675 TO 16: 1. DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION 2. POWER SUPPLY. I HAD STOPPED FOR FOOD. I GOT BACK IN, TURNED ON THE ENGINE, AND THESE ALERTS CAME ON IMMEDIATELY. I CALLED BMW, THEY SAID CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. HAD IT TOWED TO HILTON HEAD BMW. THEY'VE HAD IT TWO DAYS AND SAY THIS IS RELATED TO THE RECALLED BATTERY AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA AS OF TODAY HOW TO FIX IT. THEY SAID THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING ALL OVER. I ALSO GOT A THIRD MESSAGE ABOUT DRIVING ASSISTANCE SUPPORT LAST WEEK THAT I WAS TOLD TO IGNORE.
Mileage: 3,220