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2023 BMW X5 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2023 BMW X5 has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 4safety recalls
- 33owner complaints
- 3crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 1injury reported
33 complaints, against an average of 118 for the other 14 BMW X5 model years.
Every BMW X5 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2023 BMW X5?
The components named most often in the 33 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2023 BMW X5 owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 33 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2023 BMW X5 been recalled?
4 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 8 Series Coupe (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Convertible (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Gran Coupe (850i xDrive, M8), X3 SAV (X3 xDrive30i, X3M), X4 SAV (X4 xDrive30i), X5 SAV (X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M), X6 SAV (X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M), and Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i vehicles. The weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit's cover may not have been manufactured properly, which could allow automatic transmission oil to leak into the transmission control unit.
Risk: Transmission oil that leaks into the control unit can lead to a seizure of the transmission gears, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transmission mechatronics module and the automatic transmission fluid, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 26, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Seats: Mid/Rear Assembly: Head Restraint BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5 M and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The head restraints for the second-row outboard seats may have been improperly manufactured without locking tabs in the guide sleeves. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
Risk: A head restraint without a locking tab may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the second-row outboard seat head restraint guide sleeves, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Seats: Critical Fasteners BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, X5 M50i and X5 xDrive 45e vehicles. One of the four bolts that connects the backrest to the driver's seat frame may not have been correctly installed.
Risk: A loose driver's seat backrest may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat backrest and if necessary, install an attachment bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 17, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Visibility: Windshield BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive45e, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle which could allow water to enter the vehicle and contact electrical components, possibly resulting in a short-circuit.
Risk: An electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the windshield seal and as necessary, remove and reinstall the windshield with a new seal, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Is the 2023 BMW X5 recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAReplace the Engine Starter Motor
Risk: The Safety Recall relates to the engine starter motor. The fault relates to the RSW22 starter RWT (reinforced water tightness). It was found that with RWT starters an increased abrasion of the magnetic contact can cause the growth of deposits at the lowest point of the relay interior. This in turn may increase the relay contact resistance resulting in false starts or even causing short circuits and possibly a thermal reaction. In case of a short circuit the possibility of a thermal event cannot be excluded. This may happen while attempting to start the vehicle or while driving due to vibrations causing a short circuit due to moving deposits.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the starter motor will be replaced with a variant by another supplier with a different design. Until the repair has been completed it is recommended to not leave the vehicle running unattended after starting the engine.
UK DVSAHydraulic Brake System Unit Replacement
Risk: On affected vehicles the brake servomotor was improperly welded. The weld seam might not withstand the stresses caused under high brake pressure leading to a requirement for a higher brake effort increasing the braking distance.
Fix: Affected vehicles will have the hydraulic unit of the brake system replaced.
UK DVSAIntegrated Braking System
Risk: On certain vehicles the Integrated Brake (IB) system may be impaired due to contamination between electrical contacts.
Fix: Vehicles that may be affected by contamination are required to have the vehicle’s software updated which can detect signal interference before it occurs. If symptoms are detected you should refrain from use of the vehicle and the affected Integrated Brake (IB) system component will be replaced.
UK DVSAOwners Manual G05
Risk: On affected vehicles in the owner’s manual the maximum permissible limits of the vehicle regarding weight data/additional load values that are specified are stated too high
Fix: On affected vehicles an updated insert sheet will be added to the owner’s manual.
UK DVSAIntegrated Braking System
Risk: On affected vehicles an unexpected loss of hydraulic brake assistance may occur and may result in a different pedal behaviour under specific conditions an extended braking distance may be experienced and ABS/Stability control may be impaired
Fix: On the affected vehicles the Integrated Brake System will be replaced
UK DVSAOn affected vehicles ingress of transmission fluid may occur to the integrated transmission control unit within the mechatronic module
Risk: On affected vehicles ingress of transmission fluid may occur to the integrated transmission control unit within the mechatronic module
Fix: On affected vehicles the transmission mechatronic module will be replaced
UK DVSAChecking potential vehicle damage
Risk: On affected vehicles risk of potential flooding could have occurred leading to salt water ingress whilst parked in port awaiting shipping
Fix: The affected vehicles will be thoroughly checked cleaned and reworked as required
EU Safety GateThe RSW22 starter with reinforced water tightness (RWT) may experience increased abrasion of the magnetic contact, causing deposits to…The RSW22 starter with reinforced water tightness (RWT) may experience increased abrasion of the magnetic contact, causing deposits to build up at the lowest point inside the relay. These deposits may increase relay contact resistance, leading to starting failures or short circuits. If a short circuit occurs, either when attempting to start the vehicle or while driving due to vibration-related movement of the deposits, it could cause a thermal event and increase the risk of fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 07/07/2026
EU Safety GateThe engine starter’s electrical contacts may overheat and cause the vehicle to start improperly.Continued starting attempts can intensify the overheating and ignite surrounding components, potentially leading to a vehicle fire while driving or shortly after parking.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe hollow shaft of the servomotor was not welded correctly.The weld may not be able to withstand high braking pressure build-up and may break. In this case, the reduced braking performance requires greater force and the braking distance may increase. In addition, the ABS and DSC brake control systems are not assisted. This increases the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe stated maximum load specified in the user manual is incorrect.This could cause users to overload the vehicle, potentially leading to damage to the car and an increased risk of accidents and injuries.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe integrated braking system could be compromised, which could lead to an unexpected failure of the hydraulic braking assistance, thereby…The integrated braking system could be compromised, which could lead to an unexpected failure of the hydraulic braking assistance, thereby requiring greater pressure on the brake pedal. This can result in a longer braking distance, as well as failure of the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), increasing the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateDue to a manufacturing error, the weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit (ITCU) may not have been correctly executed.As a result, transmission oil could leak into the ITCU, causing it to fail. This may lead to transmission seizure, increasing the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe gas generator in knee airbag modules was not properly inserted into the air cushion, resulting in the cushion failing to unfold…The gas generator in knee airbag modules was not properly inserted into the air cushion, resulting in the cushion failing to unfold sufficiently. As a result, it may not be able to deploy correctly in the event of an accident, leading to a reduction in the restraint effect, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateDefects in the winding of cell-internal foils in the high-voltage batteries can lead to the occurrence of increased self-discharge.This can cause high voltage cell modules to overheat, increasing the risk of fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
What do 2023 BMW X5 owners report?
12 of the 33 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
The X5 transfer case has a defect that causes the vehicle to shudder when in reverse and at lower speeds. It can be felt sometimes at highway speeds, but is worse at low speeds. Our X5 has only 54,000 miles.
Check Control : Add engine coolant. Risk of scalding. Engine coolant level low. Risk of engine damage. Add engine coolant as soon as possible. sign came up. When take the vehicle to the dealer shop for inspection, leak had occurred and sprayed the coolant to top of the hood as well as surrounding parts. Certain modern BMW models have a 7-year / 70,000-mile extended warranty specifically covering the Heat Management Module, however my car is not included. My current mileage is at 56,000 miles.
2023 BMW X5 had a defective water pump replaced under warranty at 27,585 miles on 9/12/2024. Today 8/10/2026 at 52,907 miles the water pump again needs to be replaced. BMW has had water pump recalls in the past for similar years of x5 SUV, but our VIN is not included in the current recalls. Photographs of the recalled water pumps look exactly like our pictures. I believe the recall should be expanded to include additional BMW models/VIN ranges.
A manufacturer defect caused connector pin corrosion and thus the head unit dash stopped working completely and needs to be replaced. The head unit is what the back up camera comes through causing safety concern. It is no longer under warranty because of the miles, otherwise yearwise it would be. BMW won’t provide any good will assistance. This happened in 2026 on a 2023 model year. It has been brought to a bmw service center with a quote of over 6k to fix. No warning symptoms.
Sunroof leaks into cabin and there is no known solution for this model year 2023 BMW X5. It is my understanding that model years 2020-2023 all have this issue and a class action lawsuit is being reviewed. BMW has also issued a TSIB but there is no known recall. They will replace the seals under warranty but that is only a 2-3 year solution and will need to be redone.
Noticed noise. Took to dealer. Dealer confirmed bad front pinion/bearing and need front differential. Will be very dangerous if not fixed! Dealer has had this issue before and online forums state big issues
Drivetrain malfunction creating error message of critical failure on brake system and chassis. The first of 2 such issues so far in 4 months of ownership. Car is under original mfr warranty. Dealer charged $600 to fix. This is a PHEV and with the electrical system issues it prevents the car from functioning safely
While driving under normal conditions with no external impact, debris, rock strike, or other identifiable cause, the panoramic moonroof shattered explosively (with a loud report resembling a gunshot). Glass fragments dispersed across the roof area, and portions of the panel collapsed inward into the interior mesh roof cover. This occurred without warning and posed a serious safety risk. Th problem has not been reproduced by the dealer and only been inspected by the dealer and denied as a warranty claim. Nothing in the vehicle warning system went off prior to the failure.
The seal on the sunroof of the car allows water into the car. My car will be available for inspection upon request. This issue allows water into the car around the b pillar airbag and the side window airbag which can damage the airbag and make it deploy without any accidents or make them not deploy in the case of a accident. BMW has an internal document in which acknowledging the issue with the seal but even though they recognize placing a defective part on the vehicle. They will not assume the cost of the repair if outside de 50k miles warranty. In order for the dealership to take a look at…
While driving, the information LED screen on the car flickered and went black within a second. Other electric components malfunctioned as well, e.g. radio, air conditioning/heating. Obviously, the cameras and safety systems associated with the screen also did not work. There was no warning that this was going to happen and, without these safety features, I felt that I was at a greater risk. The next day, I took the car to a BMW dealership, and was told that the Head Unit High was malfunctioning due to corrosion. The car has just under 51,000 miles and the unit should have been insulated…
The car safety features should not allow the vehicle to move with an open door. It should also alert driver with warning if passenger door is ajar before and when in motion. The car did not register at any point (sound, dash light or otherwise) while the car door was moving that the rear driver side passenger door was ajar and door hit something. Even after collision, the vehicle still did not send any collision notice, signal driver door was open or stop automatically at any point.
The contact owns a 2023 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the sunroof inadvertently exploded. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
2023 BMW X5: questions owners ask
Is the 2023 BMW X5 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 BMW X5; the most common categories were electrical system (8, 24.2%), power train (8, 24.2%), engine (5, 15.2%). There are 4 safety recalls. 3 complaints mention a crash, 1 injury was reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 BMW X5?
Across 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are electrical system (24.2% of complaints), power train (24.2% of complaints), engine (15.2% of complaints), structure (12.1% of complaints), service brakes (9.1% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2023 BMW X5 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2023 BMW X5; the most recent (campaign 23V821000, 2023-12-06) concerns Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Can the sunroof on the 2023 BMW X5 shatter or fail?
4 of the 33 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2023 BMW X5 (12.1%) describe the sunroof or panoramic roof shattering, exploding or failing. One owner wrote: "While driving under normal conditions with no external impact, debris, rock strike, or other identifiable cause, the panoramic moonroof shattered explosively (with a loud report resembling a gunshot)." (NHTSA complaint 11722830, March 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2023 BMW X5 stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
3 of the 33 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2023 BMW X5 (9.1%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "11/21~11/24: Transmission shift from D to N while driving and the vehicle lost power. system down and change to Charging Mode, which shows when power off. Need to push the start button couple of times to turn X5 on. These things happen 3 times." (NHTSA complaint 11496221, December 2022). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own X5
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2023 only; combines NHTSA's entries for X5 and X5 M.