2018 BMW X5 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 14%of 73 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 11,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 BMW X5, 14% of the 73 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 11,000 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.
“The car displayed drivetrain malfunction warning message multiple times after the car reached 10k miles. The drivetrain malfunction message was reported to the dealer multiple times and dealer failed to provide proper explanation as well as failed to permanently fix the problem. The car is hybrid and the issue happens randomly when driven at speed between 60mph to 80 MPH. When the warning message is displayed the car air condition stops function completely, the car loses acceleration and maintain speed of 60 MPH even if the gas pedal is pressed firmly.”
NHTSA complaint #11128696, filed 2018-09, 11,000 miles“I own a 2018 BMW X5 x35d and received a notification from BMW about recall under recall number 21V907 last November 2021. It has been 8 months and I've been following up with BMW every 3 to 4 weeks and up to now, they still cannot give me an ETA on when the recall will be fixed. This is totally unacceptable.”
NHTSA complaint #11470559, filed 2022-06“The front driveshaft is known to fail in these vehicles. Mine is very loose and my mechanic advised me to not drive the car anymore until I replace it. When it snaps off, it is known to destroy either the transmission or engine. This needs to be recalled by BMW.”
NHTSA complaint #11624281, filed 2024-11“BMW issued a recall in October 2024 regarding the engine coolant pump electrical connector on my 2018 BMW X5 xDrive40e, warning of electrical shorts and fire risks. It's now late March 2025—approximately six later—and BMW dealerships still state explicitly they have no available remedy and no timeline for repair. Recently, my vehicle showed a drivetrain warning message, which I suspect is recall-related. I called BMW corporate recall hotline and my local BMW dealership (BMW of Tenafly) today (March 24, 2025). …”
NHTSA complaint #11650364, filed 2025-03“While driving the BMW X540I on the highway, went to change lanes for an obstacle/debris on the vehicle shut the power of the engine for some seconds and I almost got on a crash due to the vehicle not accelerating. Then the vehicle display a message on the screen “drivetrain malfunction- possible to drive moderately” I pull over on the next exit and shut the vehicle off at the gas station. Once I turn on the vehicle the message was gone but I’m planning yo have the vehicle check by the dealer. This is not safe for anyone, vehicles with this problem could cause a tragic accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #11453952, filed 2022-02Related service bulletins
- 10175270Apr 1, 2020DIAGNOSING NON FUNCTIONING eDRIVE: Vehicle will not go into "eDrive". No pertinent electric drivetrain fault codes to assist with diagnosis. "eDrive" may be greyed-out in the…
- 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…
- 10138379Apr 1, 2018DRIVE WARNING CCM MESSAGES: Check Control Massages (CCM) displayed:
- 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…
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 2018 BMW X5
18 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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