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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2010 BMW X5 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
5%of 124 total for the year
Median mileage
38,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 BMW X5, 5% of the 124 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“As I was driving on a bridge my car completely went into a stop. Breaks instantly locked and my car would not drive, turn on, or go on neutral the breaks stayed in lock. Police offerup even tried to see if it's a simple break button. Nothing worked I was in the middle of a bridge lucky the car behind me swerved right away and myself and my daughter were safe. I called my sister who lived down the street, she came right away and parked behind me with her emergency safety lights on. The car went into shock I couldn't even put it in neutral so I can move it from the middle of the bridge. …”

NHTSA complaint #11203261, filed 2019-04, 6 miles

“The car loss power and shutdown with me twice while driving on the highway. (95 north)error messages electrical system malfunction continue driving is not possible. Have the system checked by the nearest Bmw center , transmission malfunction , restraint system malfunction , fault in passenger-restraint system the second time that happened to me , I had the car towed by aaa at 5am after work. The car parking brake was luck , so aaa had to drag the into the flat bed, this is a serious issue Bmw makes a lot of money therefore should be held accountable and fix the issue before someone get kill. …”

NHTSA complaint #10874460, filed 2016-06, 107,815 miles

“The contact owns a 2010 Bmw X5. While driving 50 MPH, the engine lost power and the vehicle would not move forward. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the tranmission had to be changed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10896105, filed 2016-08, 30,000 miles

“The contact owned a 2010 Bmw X5. While driving 35 MPH, the contact observed and smelled smoke. The contact pulled the vehicle into a parking lot where it caught fire. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling) and was informed parts were not available. The failure mileage was 47,000. …”

NHTSA complaint #11071587, filed 2018-02, 47,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026414%
2025711%
20241611%
2023926%
20222535%
20213128%
20201715%
20192010%
20181014%
20171013%
20161318%
2015149%
20141212%
20133624%
20125320%
20115822%
201065%
2009107%
2008167%
200723%
200674%
2005911%
20041117%
20031616%
200266%
2001159%
2000724%

Other parts of the 2010 BMW X5

Engine
40 complaintsAir bags
35 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2010 BMW X5

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology