2015 BMW X5 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 9%of 152 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2015 BMW X5, 9% of the 152 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“Catastrophic Driveshaft U-Joint failure - BMW X5 - Production date? 09.22.2014 Repair was made by BMW Dealership. Noted similar recall on 2011-2014 models. I believe my car was an early 2015 production model and was effected by the same issue. Current mileage on the vehicle is 93,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11761275, filed 2026-09“While driving at 65 mph a faint whirring noise could be heard. Then without warning a loud bang was heard and felt under driver’s seat. Transmission showed neutral and abs, parking brake, and drive train warnings showed on dash. I was able to coast to right shoulder and stop. Looking under vehicle, I could see front driveshaft hanging down and oil leaking out of transfer case.”
NHTSA complaint #11505500, filed 2023-02“so i was driving at 70 mph on the highway and my front wheel driveshaft broke and hit the transmission with a potential chance to have and accident, i was researching and bmw x5 have a recall of those shaft up to 2013 and if i don't mistaking same part number as mine.”
NHTSA complaint #11527953, filed 2023-06“While driving on the highway, the u joint broke off. There was a safety recall on 2011-2014 of the same vehicle. I find it interesting because, my vehicle was made in 2014 but they are calling it a 2015 vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11419984, filed 2021-06“While driving at average residential speed, heard a chopper like sound coming from the driver side wheel area. There was no indication in the vehicle for any issue (no check engine light or warnings). I pulled over and checked all tires for flat/low air, and all looked good. I drove less than a mile, and the sound got louder, and then I heard a thump. I pulled the car over and looked underneath, and the driveshaft broke and lodged out of the bottom guard. Looked at previous X5 models and it seems like there was a similar compliant resulting to a recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #11573204, filed 2024-02Related service bulletins
- 10175261Apr 1, 2020N47T/N57T EGR COOLER - LTD WTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS WITHOUT MILEAGE LIMIT: The vehicle demonstrates a power loss and the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on.
- 10174009Apr 1, 2020TICKING NOISE WHILE CORNERING WITHOUT THE BRAKES APPLIED: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 3) replaces SI B34 05 17 dated September 2017. Ticking noise coming from…
- 10136341Mar 1, 2018LEAKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL (QMVH): There is an oil leak from the rear differential housing.
- 10135032Feb 1, 2018TICKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT AXLE WHEN CORNERING: The customer may complain of a metallic ticking noise from the front axle when cornering, maneuvering, parking or pulling away…
- 10142929Jan 1, 2018CRACKING NOISES FROM THE FRONT AXLE AREA WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS, WHEN STATIONARY OR PARKING: Cracking noises are heard from the front axle area while maneuvering at low speeds…
- 10142937Dec 1, 2017LACK OF POWER OR DRIVING READINESS CANNOT BE ESTABLISHED: Drive parameters (speed and torque) may be restricted.
- 10149227May 1, 2017POWERTRAIN FAULTS DUE TO CHAFING OF ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. One or more of the following fault codes are stored in the DDE: 29FB00 - DeNOx system, warning and switching off…
- 10146536Feb 1, 2017"?AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DRIVEABILITY COMPLAINTS . Hesitant drive off, sluggish driving behavior. The Automatic Transmission (AT) switches into emergency mode and operates only…
- 10146787Nov 1, 2016"FC 44E4D1 stored in Transmission Control Unit, either: 1. When no other fault codes stored. ? Customer has seen no performance issues. OR 2. When any of the following fault…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 14% |
| 2025 | 7 | 11% |
| 2024 | 16 | 11% |
| 2023 | 9 | 26% |
| 2022 | 25 | 35% |
| 2021 | 31 | 28% |
| 2020 | 17 | 15% |
| 2019 | 20 | 10% |
| 2018 | 10 | 14% |
| 2017 | 10 | 13% |
| 2016 | 13 | 18% |
| 2015 | 14 | 9% |
| 2014 | 12 | 12% |
| 2013 | 36 | 24% |
| 2012 | 53 | 20% |
| 2011 | 58 | 22% |
| 2010 | 6 | 5% |
| 2009 | 10 | 7% |
| 2008 | 16 | 7% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 | 9 | 11% |
| 2004 | 11 | 17% |
| 2003 | 16 | 16% |
| 2002 | 6 | 6% |
| 2001 | 15 | 9% |
| 2000 | 7 | 24% |
Other parts of the 2015 BMW X5
50 complaintsEngine
42 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsElectrical system
13 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 30, 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