2017 BMW X5 Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 5%of 75 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 24,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the seats of the 2017 BMW X5, 5% of the 75 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 24,000 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.
“On the morning of april 17, 2019, my wife smelled and noticed smoke coming out of the back seat of our Bmw X5 2017 model while it was parked on the street outside our house. The smoke was coming out of a small hole on the passenger side rear seat near the seat belt buckle holder. Area around the hole was extremely hot. She put a wet towel over the hole and the hot area to control the smoke and to cool down the seat. Our Bmw is equipped with rear seat heating system. On the same day, she took it to local Bmw dealership. …”
NHTSA complaint #11206263, filed 2019-05, 24,000 miles“2016 BMW X5 — Driver’s seat unexpectedly moves forward toward the steering wheel while driving. The seat moves without activation of the seat adjustment controls. This creates a safety hazard because the driver’s position can suddenly change while the vehicle is in motion, potentially interfering with steering and pedal control.”
NHTSA complaint #11769021, filed 2026-10“Sunroof drain clogged, causing leaking of water into vehicle. The dealer tested and found the same issue. They stated that there is a fix for this, to reroute the drain, and that it was not done on my vehicle prior to it clogging.”
NHTSA complaint #11451168, filed 2022-02“The driver seat belt on a brand new, Bmw 2017 X5 xdrive 35i had a seat belt buckle that would rattle and shake when the driver was seated. The buckle would continue to rattle as the driver drove down the road. The buckle would rattle when the vehicle was stationary, in motion, or running. The buckle on the passenger side did not have this issue. It appears to be very dangerous to have a driver seat belt that is not properly manufactured.”
NHTSA complaint #11019027, filed 2017-08Related service bulletins
- 10244258Oct 20, 2023Second seat row blocking access to third seat row, program seat modules. Visible stitching on first row sport seat. Third seat row backrest Bowden cable routing and length change.
- 10242694Aug 1, 2023?The front seat will not calibrate/initialize, and the stored faults cannot be deleted.
- 10227568Oct 1, 2022According to the customer, the airbag warning light was on, but it may not be illuminated when the vehicle arrives in the workshop. 1. ACSM fault code "930A60 - Seat occupancy…
- 10225113Sep 1, 2022The passenger's side (right rear) of the 60/40 split 2nd row seat may intermittently not fully latch into position on one side (inner rail).
- 10225112Sep 1, 2022When returning the 2nd row seat 40% (right) side from Easy-Entry: The seat stops moving before reaching the final home position, a check control message (CCM) appears alerting…
- 10225111Sep 1, 2022When returning the 2nd row seat 60% (left) side from Easy-Entry: The seat stops moving before reaching the final home position, a check control message (CCM) appears alerting the…
- 10225110Sep 1, 2022The driver's side (left rear) of the 60/40 split 2nd row seat may intermittently not fully latch into position on one side (inner rail).
- 10145298Jun 1, 2018MEMORY SEAT ADJUSTMENT IS LIMITED: After programming the vehicle with ISTA 4.10.2x, the adjustment range of the memory seat may restricted.
Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 3 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 4 | 3% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 1 | 0% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2009 | 9 | 7% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 25 | 15% |
| 2005 | 7 | 9% |
| 2004 | 7 | 11% |
| 2003 | 7 | 7% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2017 BMW X5
20 complaintsElectrical system
17 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 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 29, 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