2007 BMW X5 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the passenger-side air bag recall and about being told the repair parts were not available, sometimes for months. Fuel-system complaints follow, with gasoline or burnt smells, hard starting and stalling, and a smaller group describes brakes that respond late or need a longer distance to stop. Most reports arrive on vehicles well past 80,000 miles.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Air bag recall parts unavailable / warning light on

   • 29 complaints (41%)
   • median 124,250 mi at 12.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2022

   Owners describe receiving recall notices for the frontal air bag inflators and then being told by dealers and the manufacturer that parts were not yet available, with some waiting many months and being unable to get a date. Others report the passenger air bag indicator staying lit or a check-control message appearing for the restraint system. A few describe inspections at independent shops that recommended replacing the passenger air bag. Reported across a wide mileage range, most often on vehicles with well over 70,000 miles; many complaints are about the recall process rather than a failure in use.

   Recall 20V016000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 19V017000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 18V030000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 17V020000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 16V364000 · DO NOT DRIVE1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask the seller for proof that the outstanding air bag inflator recalls were completed, and check the recall status by VIN. Confirm the air bag warning light goes out after startup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Bmw has to fix this priority 3 recall, 2 are the front airbags,(inflator rupture could result in metal fragments striking the driver or other passengers, potentially resulting in serious injury or death) before some really bad can happen. 1 is the fuel tank leaks can cause fire another real bad option can happen. I have my Bmw stalling last week was very bad, the car just stop on freeway with not control of the steering wheel was very scary and also my and my family life was in danger. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10946699, filed 2017-01, 150,000 miles

   “Bmw went to north haven ct dealer for recalls such as passenger air bag however they didn't complete I am very upset as I have a teenager whom will be sitting in the front seat . I want to escalate”

   NHTSA complaint #11075856, filed 2018-03
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell, hard starting and stalling

   Mentioned in 15 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe a gasoline or burnt smell inside the cabin and around the vehicle after fueling or shortly after shutdown, a check engine light coming on, and in some cases long cranking, hard starting or the engine stalling while driving. Several owners link these symptoms to the in-tank fuel pump and note that the fuel pump recall repair was still pending for their vehicle. Mostly reported between roughly 75,000 and 150,000 miles, often noticed after refueling or when parking in a garage.

   Recall 16V7460002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Smell for fuel around the filler neck and in the cabin after a test drive, ask whether the fuel pump recall was performed, and have the fuel pressure and fuel gauge behavior checked.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recently my vehicle has been smelling of gasoline. The cabin fills up with the odor. The outside of the vehicle smells when it is running or shortly after turning off the engine. In the last few months the smell has got worse. I only recently became aware of a recall specifying similar issues. I wanted to make record of my issue and complaint regarding my vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10936421, filed 2016-12, 141,000 miles

   “Check engine light comes on whenever the gas cap is opened when re-fueling and a noticeable burnt smell is noticed inside the vehicle. I have to have it towed to the nearest repair shop servicing Bmw near me. Please see photos attached. I incurred about $2230 in repair charges. From then on, the problem hasn't re-occured.”

   NHTSA complaint #10939247, filed 2017-01, 80,878 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pedal soft or delayed, long stopping distance

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report that pressing the brake pedal produces a delayed or weak response and a noticeably longer stopping distance, sometimes with no warning light. In several complaints independent shops diagnosed a vacuum line or vacuum pump leak, and in others a hydraulic pump or parking brake control unit was replaced; some owners note their vehicle was not covered by the related brake campaign. Reported from about 80,000 miles upward, typically on higher-mileage vehicles.

   What to check: Ask whether the brake vacuum pump or related hydraulic parts have been replaced, and have the pedal feel, brake fluid and vacuum system checked before purchase; also check that the parking brake releases and engages normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My brake vacuum pump is leaking fluid in the same manner described under recall campaign 13v-045, but the recall was apparently not applied to my vehicle. Apparently this presents safety issues while braking. It was identified yesterday, but I'm not sure how long it has been an issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11076718, filed 2018-03, 120,000 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11229758, filed 2019-07, 127 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine oil consumption, smoke and leaks

   • 12 complaints (17%)
   • median 114,750 mi at 10.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Complaints describe unusually high oil use, needing to add oil frequently, oil drips on the ground, and smoke or a burning odor that can reach the cabin. Some owners mention rough running and link the oil loss to valve seals and other internal engine work; dealers in some cases diagnosed related items such as a faulty water pump. Mostly on vehicles above 90,000 miles, with some reports of very frequent top-ups.

   Recall 17V6830002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for leaks or smoke at the tailpipe, ask about oil consumption between changes, and ask whether the crankcase ventilation heater recall was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had several issues with this recall, I only had the car for 1.5 years and this is the third recall! My current main concern is there is a burning gas like oil odor in my car. I received a recall notice saying remedy is unavailable! This is unacceptable my life and my children life is in danger. Bmw should provide an immediate resolution!! When I start the car I smell burning smell and sometimes see smoke come from hood of car. I took my car to Bmw 2 months ago for service and was told all was well with my car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11057287, filed 2017-12, 130,000 miles

   “I have water leaking out of myBMW on a regular basis. I have to put a gallon of water every time I want to drive it. The oil is constantly needing to be filled. I go through a qt a day in oil. There is oil leaking all over the ground. Not sure if the water is leaking as well.”

   NHTSA complaint #11482833, filed 2022-09
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Water leaks into cabin and electronics

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe water entering the interior, often through the sunroof drains or into the rear cargo area near the battery, leaving carpets wet and setting off multiple dashboard warnings. Some report the vehicle failing to start after heavy rain and dealers attributing electrical faults to water contact with modules and the alternator. Reported at varying mileage, most often after heavy rain; one report on a low-mileage vehicle.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect carpets, the spare-wheel well and the battery area for dampness or water stains, check that sunroof drains flow freely, and confirm all electrical modules and warning lights work after rain or a wash.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have discovered a serious problem with my 2007 X5. I live in south florida and after a heavy rain, I noticed that the trunk of my car was filled with water. I removed 3.5 gallons of water. I went to start the car but as you can imagine with the battery and electronic components being covered in that much water, it was unsuccessful. Once I had removed the water and let it dry out I charged the battery and was able to start the car. When I got it to start, the dashboard lit up like a christmas tree. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11044232, filed 2017-11

   “On multiple occasions while driving the car, first the ABS light would come on, then most other warning lights, then the car would lose all power, engine would stop, can't shift transmission, basically did on the road. Had battery replaced and registered. Happened multiple times again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11365128, filed 2020-10, 90,000 miles

Buying note. Check recall completion by VIN first, especially the air bag inflators and fuel pump, since parts delays were a frequent complaint. Then look for fuel smells, brake pedal feel, oil consumption and water intrusion in the cabin, as these come up repeatedly in owner reports for this year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.