2015 BMW X5 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 9%of 152 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the electrical system of the 2015 BMW X5, 9% of the 152 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles. 3 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.
“I was driving on a highway when I smelled smoke and within seconds the back of my car was engulfed in black smoke. I was able to get in the breakdown lane and open the trunk where I saw a fire in the trunk. I shut the trunk and ran and the car blew up two times. 4 months previous to this the local Bmw dealership changed my battery which is in the back and the fire department stated it was probably something electrical with the battery (in the trunk) that started the fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #11328204, filed 2020-06, 55,000 miles“While driving on the I-15 south near camino del norte, my car caught on fire. The fire came from the inside, back, drivers side from the electrical components! As I entered the 15 a few miles before, I noticed all of the preset stations weren't working and then the car gave an air bag warning. After the airbag warning, there was a parking brake warning. That is when I pulled over, grabbed my purse, and noticed the car was on fire. I called 9-1-1.the fire department came and put the fire out.”
NHTSA complaint #11191544, filed 2019-03, 3 miles“My wife started the car (stationary in home driveway) and a continuous buzzing sound (alarm?) from the rear hatchback door started. Rear hatchback door would not automatically open or close. We had to manually open the door. Upon investigation, we found several inches of water in the rear passenger compartment below the car fuse panel. Electric components and insulation were wet/submerged in water. Service department at dealer said the sunroof drains were clogged and would need to replace components at my expense. …”
NHTSA complaint #11323337, filed 2020-05, 79,000 miles“The vehicle started to collect water without my knowledge in the car. It was only until a unnoticeable noise came from the rear of the car. I inspected it and the rear area was soaked with water. So Bmw thinks it is a good idea to store alot of electronic equipment in the rear were the water was. They first claimed that it was possibly clogged drains and that if they were clogged, that nothing would be covered under warranty because it was an outside force . After the inspection, they tell me that a leak was discovered and that it was fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11290061, filed 2019-12, 35,000 miles“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 BMW X5. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 130,514. However, the Auto Check Vehicle History report indicated that the mileage was 160,258 when it was last registered with the DMV on 11/26/2024.”
NHTSA complaint #11763454, filed 2026-09, 160,258 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery…
- 10245422Nov 22, 2023Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâÂÂs equipment and settings, no acoustic or…
- 10238090May 1, 2023After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.
- 10235205Mar 1, 2023The 3G network in the US has been shut down. This means that only the 4G network will be available. In the 4G network, voice calls will be transferred via the Voice over LTE…
- 10225115Sep 1, 2022Customer is unable to power up or charge accessories through a plug adapter inserted in the front 12-volt power socket plug. Alternatively, it will only operate when constant…
- 10224212Aug 1, 2022Driver Assistance reduced checked control message (CCM) appears. All or some of the system functions maybe inoperative. The following fault will be stored: 481CC6.
- 10218384Jun 1, 2022Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column. Note…
- 10218382Jun 1, 2022A check control message for the restraint system appears. In the Instrument cluster, the red air bag warning light lights up permanently. One of the following fault codes stored…
- 10214990May 1, 2022The Headunit High (HU-H), also called NBT, began replacing the Car Information Computer (CIC) on certain MY2013 vehicles with option 609 (as of 7/2012 production). This uses map…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 36% |
| 2025 | 8 | 13% |
| 2024 | 25 | 17% |
| 2023 | 8 | 24% |
| 2022 | 16 | 22% |
| 2021 | 38 | 35% |
| 2020 | 39 | 35% |
| 2019 | 72 | 37% |
| 2018 | 15 | 21% |
| 2017 | 17 | 23% |
| 2016 | 23 | 31% |
| 2015 | 13 | 9% |
| 2014 | 15 | 15% |
| 2013 | 21 | 14% |
| 2012 | 29 | 11% |
| 2011 | 19 | 7% |
| 2010 | 23 | 19% |
| 2009 | 16 | 12% |
| 2008 | 35 | 16% |
| 2007 | 9 | 13% |
| 2006 | 20 | 12% |
| 2005 | 15 | 18% |
| 2004 | 10 | 16% |
| 2003 | 17 | 17% |
| 2002 | 16 | 16% |
| 2001 | 24 | 15% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2015 BMW X5
50 complaintsEngine
42 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 BMW X5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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