2019 BMW X5 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2019 X5 most often describe a no-start or hard-start condition traced to a failed starter, sometimes after the 24V576000 recall work was performed, along with occasional burning smells during starting attempts. A second cluster of complaints involves cold-weather steering that twitches or drifts and requires constant correction, and a third covers oil pump and engine oil pressure warnings that appear at moderate mileage and can lead to major engine repair. Most electrical complaints arrive around 40,000-80,000 miles, while the steering reports come in at very low mileage during the first cold season.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Starter failure and no-start condition

   • 50 complaints (26%)
   • median 67,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $6,000 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle hesitating to start, needing several attempts, or failing to crank at all, sometimes with a burning odor or smoke at the starter. Several mention the vehicle shutting off in traffic or in a drive-through and then not restarting. Complaints state dealers diagnosed a failed or weak starter and battery, and some note the condition appeared after the 24V576000 recall software update was performed. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 90,000 miles, often without any prior warning light.

   Recall 24V576000Recall 25V644000

   What to check: Ask whether the starter recall software has been applied and whether the starter or battery has ever been replaced; on a test drive, cold-start the vehicle a few times and listen for unusual noises or smell for burning.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle Safety Complaint Report – BMW Engine Starter Failure Make: BMW Model: X5 xDrive40i Year: 2019 Mileage at Incident: ~40,000 km Component/System That Malfunctioned The engine starter system failed to function. Despite repeated attempts, the engine would not start. The vehicle showed no prior warnings or dashboard alerts before the failure. The part has not yet been replaced, and the car is unable to start still. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11655961, filed 2025-04

   “The contact owns a 2019 BMW X5. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the starter had failed, causing the battery failure. The contact was informed that the starter and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11610024, filed 2024-08, 67,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Cold-weather steering twitch and wander

   Mentioned in 11 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the steering wheel twitching, drifting or pulling left and right on its own, mostly in cold weather, so the vehicle needs constant correction at highway speed. Some owners say turning feels loose or disconnected in very low temperatures, while others note the car wanders even in mild conditions. According to complaints, the dealer often found no fault, suggested a software update or advised waiting for a fix, and in at least one case turned off lane-keeping intervention. Typically reported at very low mileage, often under 5,000 miles, and mainly in temperatures below about 30 degrees F.

   Recall 20V4340003 related service bulletins

   What to check: If you can, drive the car cold on a chilly morning and see whether the wheel stays centered without correction; ask whether any software update or steering column service has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1) several instances of driving at highway speeds in dry conditions, the steering drifts slightly to the left and right requiring constant steering corrections. I have the steering wheel centered in the lane but the car will slightly drift in one direction, once corrected it will drift in the other direction. It doesn't happen all the time but is noticeable when it does. Wind and road crown were not a factor. It reminds me of cars built in the 1970's that had a bit of play in the steering. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11202624, filed 2019-04, 5,000 miles

   “During very cold conditions (below 10 degrees fahrenheit), the vehicle's steering feels loose, numb and disconnected. At first I thought it was an issue with the driver assistance systems/lane keep assist. I turned all those systems off and the issue persisted. When conditions became warmer, the issue went away. It has only occurred in extreme cold. My Bmw dealer advised that they were aware of the issue and that the service manager's vehicle is doing a same thing. They indicated that Bmw advises a software update is forthcoming, but when? …”

   NHTSA complaint #11184179, filed 2019-03, 1,200 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Low oil pressure and oil pump failure

   • 28 complaints (14%)
   • median 84,500 mi at 6.6 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • owner-quoted repair $6,181 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe a sudden red warning to stop the engine because oil pressure is too low, sometimes followed by a diagnosis of a failed oil pump, plastic debris inside the pump, or oil that had become thick and dark. Some report the engine running with reduced power and abnormal noises before the warning. Complaints state dealers recommended replacing the oil pump, and in some cases the engine itself. Reported from about 70,000 to 90,000 miles in the sampled complaints, usually with no warning beforehand.

   Recall 19V5130003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and condition, look for records of oil and filter changes, and ask whether the oil pump or any engine work has been done; note that an extended warranty has been offered for some related emissions components.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am reporting a serious safety defect involving the oil pump assembly on my 2019 BMW X5 xDrive40i. While driving at low speed in normal conditions, a sudden dashboard warning appeared stating: “Engine oil pressure too low — stop carefully.” I immediately pulled over and shut off the engine. My vehicle had been serviced by an authorized BMW dealership less than one week earlier, and no faults or issues were identified. There were no warning signs or symptoms prior to the failure. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11703212, filed 2025-12

   “Failed components 1. oil pump $8769.41 2. Cylinder Head Assembly- Valve Cover $4280.83 3. center console control panel $3051.93 4. transfer case replacement TBD 2019 BMW X5 xDrive40i has multiple major component failures at 70,000 miles. Oil pump failed causing loss of oil-level monitoring. The cylinder head assembly was diagnosed with oil consumption, the transfer case exhibited driveline shuddering, and the center console control panel developed internal electrical faults that affect vital vehicle components. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11696693, filed 2025-10
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Telematics unit water intrusion and SOS faults

   • 13 complaints (7%)
   • median 64,250 mi at 6.7 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • owner-quoted repair $2,500 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners report the SOS system placing calls when nothing happened, an emergency call malfunction message, and water found inside the rear antenna area or telematics control unit. Some complaints describe water reaching the interior and affecting the headliner or carpet. Complaints state dealers traced the fault to a water leak at the rear roof antenna and replaced the module. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 90,000 miles, often after rain or car washes.

   Recall 21V062000Recall 22V267000Recall 19V6840001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Inspect the headliner and carpet near the rear pillar and cargo area for water stains, and confirm the SOS/emergency call function works; ask whether the telematics module or antenna seal has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Telematics control unit has failed and has water ingress. This causes the onboard emergency sos system to fail and not work, make false calls and risk a driver ability to make an emergency call or for the vehicle to call for help. This also poses a risk in that water seeps into the interior of the cars shell through the antenna. Creating rust, mold and decay. Which will eventually affect the interior of the vehicle, head liner and eventually passengers through environmental factors. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11543116, filed 2023-09

   “The contact owns a 2019 BMW X5. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the Emergency SOS Malfunction message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the engine oil pump and TCB module were faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11765341, filed 2026-09, 84,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection that includes a cold start, an oil pressure check and a look for water intrusion around the rear antenna and carpet is worthwhile on this model year. Ask for service records showing whether the starter and roof control recalls were completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.