2020 BMW X5 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 35%of 113 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the electrical system of the 2020 BMW X5, 35% of the 113 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,000 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My samsung galaxy s9 phone seems incompatible with my X5. About every 30 minutes the nav display and half the instrument panel black out for about 10 seconds then restarts. This occurs on the highway and in the city.”
NHTSA complaint #11349724, filed 2020-08, 4,000 miles“Navigation display and right side of instrument panel go blank intermittently and then reset and come back on after about 10 seconds. Display goes off during periods of driving and or stationary with vehicle engine running. Occurs during times at highway speeds and city driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11324581, filed 2020-05, 4,000 miles“A code for check engine came on and the code is say active grille shutter. I also see there is a safety issue for the same issue on other models of bmw. I'm not seeing one for X5 which needs to be added to the list.”
NHTSA complaint #11651146, filed 2025-03“My 2020 BMW X5 experienced starter failure after completing recall campaign 24V-576 for starter electrical overload risk. The vehicle was subject to this recall which acknowledged a defect causing electrical overload to the starter system. I completed the required software update in late 2024, approximately 4 years after the vehicle was manufactured and exposed to the acknowledged defect. Following the recall repair, the starter system failed on three separate occasions over a six-week period. …”
NHTSA complaint #11687403, filed 2025-09“I was having intermittent starting issues. After a starter recall was done, things got worse. Idrive will not turn off and car wont start draining battery. Battery was replaced and car still having idrive and start issues. It would not start after being hot. I was told extended warranty is not covered and that the center console was the problem after diagnostic. They want approximately $3000 to repair. The car will not start at all and the idrive will not shut off. They said it will continue until repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #11704622, filed 2025-12Related recalls
- 25V644000Sep 25, 2025BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 340I, X6, 2020-2025 840I, 2020-2022 740LI, 2019-2020 X7, and X5 vehicles. After repeated attempts…Covers: BMW X5 2019–2020, 840I 2020–2025, 740LI 2020–2022 +3 more
- 20V465000Aug 7, 2020BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive 40i, X5 xDrive 40i and one X7 xDrive 40i vehicle. The starter motor may have an extra bolt…Covers: BMW X5 2020, X7 2020
Related service bulletins
- 11035500Jul 17, 2026The manual starting of electronic engine oil level measurement from inside the vehicle, usually afterperforming an engine oil service task, is inoperative or it may lock up at…
- 11035408Jul 10, 2026Once the Telematics Module (TCB2) enters sleep mode, a BMW Data Services trigger for Remote Services(remote engine start, lock/unlock/climate conditioning) will not be able to…
- 10252135Mar 25, 2024After performing a BMW Remote Software Upgrade (RSU), the functionality of the Comfort Access andPassive Go/Exit features may be reduced. Also, one or more of the following error…
- 10250893Feb 28, 2024SITUATION BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Recall (effective April 23, 2021) on a certain Model Year 2020 - 2021 BMW vehicles that were produced between August 13, 2019…
- 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…
- 10249032Jan 5, 2024The Central Information Display goes black intermittently due to resets of the Head Unit (HU-H3). FaultB7F8F9 ÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂàÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂHU-H…
- 10249031Jan 5, 2024Check Engine light is on IHKA has stored fault 80131C âÂÂIHKA: 12V voltage sensor plausibilityâÂÂ
- 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…
- 10242533Aug 1, 2023?BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop for BMW X5, X6, X7, and 7 Series sedan vehicles that were produced between July 7, 2023 and August 15, 2023. Usage of the Highway Assist…
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 2020 BMW X5
33 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 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