2016 BMW X5 Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 5%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the suspension of the 2016 BMW X5, 5% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles.
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.
“Rear air suspension system failed completely while driving at low speed on a driveway, and without warning and without any impact (collision, bump, pothole, etc). There was a loud bag and both compression spring completely deflated, the car essentially dropped to the axil, resulting in excessive and uncontrollable bouncing. Upon mechanical inspection a fuse had blown but all components of the rear air suspension system were intact except for a very small pinhole leak in the right rear air shock. There was no warning! …”
NHTSA complaint #11340221, filed 2020-07, 54,000 miles“Air compressor absorbs moisture and prevents valves from opening and inflating airbags around 4 years or 60-70k miles. This breaks down to about a $3200 repair from the dealership or around $2400 from an authorized Bmw mechanic. Both places have informed that they are seeing a ton of these repairs this year. For an air compressor to be blocked, and the silica gel completely absorbed with moisture on a vehicle of this age, it's unacceptable. The signs of this malfunction are that the rear end will sag and not properly inflate (if at all). …”
NHTSA complaint #11349198, filed 2020-08, 65,000 miles“Our 2016 BMW X 5 axle is broken. Can't drive ( very loud noise ) steering and directional control are a safety risk. We purchased new on 9/19/2015 and are the original owners . The car has approximately 60,000. plus miles on it. Living in Ketchum ID we have had all service and Maintenance work done locally because it is 160 miles to Boise ID. We also have a home in Cincinnati OH. where our second car is also a 2016 BMW X5, as was our 2007 and our 2002 X5's. Our local mechanic diagnoses is a broken front axel !! We hope BMW will make a one time exception to tow our 2016 X5 to Boise ID. …”
NHTSA complaint #11451257, filed 2022-02“The contact owns a 2016 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle was making an abnormal banging sound. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pulled into a parking lot and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer who diagnosed and determined that front drive shaft and u-joint had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11590640, filed 2024-05, 75,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10184575Nov 1, 2020TICKING 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…
- 10179812Aug 1, 2020CRACKING NOISES FROM THE FRONTAXLE AREA WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS, WHEN STATION: Cracking noises are heard from the front axle area while maneuvering at low speeds (e.g., parking…
- 10174023Apr 1, 2020CHECK CONTROL MESSAGES FOR BRAKE SUSPENSION AND AIR BAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION: Multiple check control messages (CCM) can display for brake suspension and air bag system malfunction.
- 10138392Apr 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…
- 10138386Apr 1, 2018Cracking noises from the front axle area while turning the wheels, when stationary or parking
- 10138387Mar 1, 2018TICKING NOISE FROM FRONT AXLE ON TURNS: A hard mechanical clacking noise is heard when making turns coming from the front axle.
- 10136338Mar 1, 2018TICKING NOISE FROM FRONT AXLE ON TURNS: A hard mechanical clacking noise is heard when making turns coming from the front axle.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 3 | 4% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 3 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 6 | 8% |
| 2017 | 4 | 5% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 5 | 3% |
| 2014 | 2 | 2% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 2% |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 3 | 5% |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 7 | 4% |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2016 BMW X5
23 complaintsEngine
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 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 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