2017 BMW X5 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 23%of 75 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the electrical system of the 2017 BMW X5, 23% of the 75 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle has been in for service 5 times with electrical issues in the past year. First, the airbag and safety restraint system failure occurred on 3 different occasions and I was told it was due to an electrical issue. Now, for the second time a drivetrain malfunction has occurred that I have been told is also due to an electrical software issue. The vehicle shut offs while in operation (in motion going 70 MPH), puts itself into neutral and the engine shuts down no matter the speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11192376, filed 2019-03, 27,000 miles“While driving on highway traveling at 55 MPH the vehicle lost power steering and brakes without warning. The dashboard it up simultaneously with the brake and steering problem. Havining nowhere to pull over safely; I slowed down and continued on to a safe location. Inintially, I could not turn ignition off. The vehicle is brand new, having only 385 miles on odometer. Vehicle continued to loose all power, and by the time the tow truck arrived vehicle rear door would not open and could not get car into neutral. …”
NHTSA complaint #11043164, filed 2017-11, 385 miles“My BWW X5 hybrid give me a sudden error in the middle of the road. The error was Drive train malfunction and suddenly it stopped couple of seconds after the warning. Leaving me in the middle of the road. Thankfully I was on a low traffic road, so there was no accident. It was a scary situation to be at. After that, I managed to start the car after couple of tries and pull it over to a safer place. The car was useless so I had to call my BMW dealer. To add to the bad experience the dealer took long to service my car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11457200, filed 2022-03“I brought my 2017 X5 xDrive40e to my local dealer (Ray Catena in White Plains NY) after getting a ‘Drivetrain Malfunction” Error. After several weeks at the dealer, and thousands of dollars in repairs, I’m being told today that: -The car needs a new Electric Drive… cost $12,000 -The replaced electric drive may not solve the issue, which might be the transmission.. replacement cost $16,000 So almost $30k to perhaps solve the issue on a car with a $19,000 value per Kelly Bluebook. And this is a known issue for Hybrid X5s per multiple BMW owner websites.. …”
NHTSA complaint #11531823, filed 2023-07“Front passage door becomes unlocked/ not secure while driving My doors are set to auto-lock when I drive off. Today’s incident occurred when I hit a normal bump in the road. I heard a pop, which was the front passenger door unlocking. This jarred the door from the locked position to rattling in the door frame. The car’s auto lock issue is activated therefore, it’s trying to lock the door. Then car system reports a need to stop the car to prevent rolling as the doors are not secure. It Goes without saying how dangerous this is. Searchers this issue In the Internet. …”
NHTSA complaint #11420147, filed 2021-06Related 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
Related service bulletins
- 11026967Dec 9, 2025After updating the vehicle software with ISTA,the Central Information Display (CID) willshow only “static”. There was no issue withCID operation before programming.
- 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…
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 2017 BMW X5
20 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 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