2021 BMW X5 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 1%of 110 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2021 BMW X5, 1% of the 110 complaints for this model year. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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 low beam headlights do not illuminate the road sufficiently when there are dips in the road or going up hill. The dealer says the lights are fine but relative to the other cars, there is clearly a problem with low beams on undulating roads. On undulating roads or going up hills, the low beams often only illuminate about 20 ft in front of the car. The problem appears to be BMW has drastically limited the upward lighting from the lights for safety of other drivers. However, they have gone too far and created a safety issue with too little upward illumination to be safe on uneven roads. …”
NHTSA complaint #11436201, filed 2021-10Related recalls
- 20V528000Sep 1, 2020BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X6 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M, X7…Covers: BMW X5 2020–2021, X7 2020–2021, X6 2020–2021
Related service bulletins
- 10252031Mar 14, 2024One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored.
- 10239611Jun 1, 2023Headlight check control (CC) message 128 "High beam headlight failure" is displayed. The following fault codes are stored during a vehicle test: 80419A - Left high-beam…
- 10239610Jun 1, 2023Condensation is present on the inner surfaces in one or both taillights (circled).
- 10236228Apr 1, 2023The hazard light (aka emergency flasher) button gets stuck in the ON or OFF position when actuated.
- 10235200Mar 1, 2023One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 5 | 4% |
| 2019 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 11 | 5% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 4 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 5 | 8% |
| 2003 | 6 | 6% |
| 2002 | 8 | 8% |
| 2001 | 9 | 6% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2021 BMW X5
38 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
31 complaintsEngine
25 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
9 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsForward collision avoidance
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 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