2016 BMW X5 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 31%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 101,932miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 BMW X5, 31% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 101,932 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving, all of sudden, dashboard becomes blank. I brought this point to Bmw bellevue dealer. It was confirmed that there was no issue identified. However, it occurred a couple of times in a year. Since I was driving 35-speed limit road, I pulled the vehicle and stopped the enginer and then restart. The issue disappread. I'm not sure what would be the consequences of it when I'm driving at highways or at high speed.”
NHTSA complaint #11080999, filed 2018-03, 23,000 miles“My 2016 Bmw X5 e40 stalled and lost all propulsion power multiple times while driving in traffic, the first time at about 40 MPH and the subsequent times at around 25 MPH, forcing me to drive the car onto the shoulder and try to restart it. There was no indication of any kind and no warning light given prior to the stalls, it simply just lost all propulsion power. We were traveling uphill on a busy highway in a construction zone and were fortunate to not be in an accident. After the stall a warning indicator message indicated that the automatic start/stop malfunctioned. …”
NHTSA complaint #11389407, filed 2021-01, 89,000 miles“My bmw x5 40e is having issues accelerating from a dead stop. My safety was put at risk because I was stuck in the intersection going very slowly even after put the accelerating pedal to the floor. It did not properly engage until I got to the other side of the intersection and the stoplight went back to red. It has happened several times after. BMW North America stated that they could not duplicate but the foreman actually did feel it when pulling the car up the day I was to pick it back up and recorded the issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11505320, filed 2023-02“BMW NA is aware of this problem with the sunroof leaking water on the dashboard and damaging the electrical of the car. BMW NA is colluding with the dealers to inform customers they are clogged to charge them money for a clog that is non existent. The sun roof are not clogged as BMW NA and the dealers are saying I have video of the unclogged drain tubes and have caught the dealers all lying that they are clogged. I have video of this and can reproduce this collusion again again with the dealers lying.”
NHTSA complaint #11479374, filed 2022-08“I have received two emails from two different shop foreman’s. One from Niello BMW and the other BMW Fairfield. They both said the malfunctions I am experiencing- slipping, delay in accelerations- is the way BMW manufacturer made the car. One foreman said all the cars like mine he has driven have the same issue. It is a hybrid that needs the hybrid battery to have charge to not experience these malfunctions, but the car was not made to allow me to have constant battery charge as it only lasts up to 14 miles for 2016 X5 40e hybrid. …”
NHTSA complaint #11507418, filed 2023-02Related recalls
- 24V608000Aug 13, 2024BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018…Covers: BMW X5 2016–2018, 528I 2012–2016, 328I 2012–2016 +8 more
- 16V919000Dec 21, 2016BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 X5 xDrive40e vehicles manufactured July 29, 2015, to September 9, 2015. The affected…Covers: BMW X5 2016
Related service bulletins
- 11015848Mar 13, 2025The High-Voltage (HV) Battery Assemblys Cell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC repair kit-specific) limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been…
- 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…
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 2016 BMW X5
14 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 BMW X5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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