Skip to content
Forward collision avoidancePart report

2021 BMW X5 Forward collision avoidance Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
5%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 5 complaints about the forward collision avoidance of the 2021 BMW X5, 5% of the 110 complaints for this model year. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

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.

“Forward sensors did not activate braking system, vehicle subsequently jumped the curb and struck concrete piling, embedding it into the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. I sent an email to the company and the incident was reported to the police. The vehicle was determined to be a total loss by New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance company after being inspected by the collision company. As my wife pulled into the parking space, there were no indications observed.”

NHTSA complaint #11493401, filed 2022-11

“Formally reporting a serious and recurring safety issue with my 2021 BMW X5. Over the past five months, I experienced three separate incidents where the vehicle abruptly stopped while driving, each time displaying a red car warning light on the dashboard. The red malfunction symbol was similar to the below image (found online) Description of the Issue: Each of these terrifying safety experiences occurred while the vehicle was in motion—all on surface streets—the car suddenly came to a jarring and immediate stop on its own without my input or applying the brakes. …”

NHTSA complaint #11674398, filed 2025-07

“On Wednesday, December 20, 2023, shortly after 8:30 p.m., I turned into the driveway for my Columbia residence and proceeded with caution toward my carport. The weather was clear, with no rain or ice, and my driveway was free of all obstacles. My 2021 BMW X5 began to accelerate and move forward at a dangerous speed. Though I applied the brakes, they were unresponsive, and the vehicle collided, with force, into the brick steps at the carport entrance to my home. Upon impact, all airbags in the vehicle deployed, and the emergency response system was activated. …”

NHTSA complaint #11561951, filed 2023-12

“My daughter was driving a vehicle and she was moving to another lane in the process. Car is capable and feature with automatic emergency breaking for front collision. During entire process she didn’t take action for some reason and car collided with another vehicle. Emergency brake didn't full stop vehicle. 10s of video recording was done during the collision.”

NHTSA complaint #11514660, filed 2023-03

Related service bulletins

Forward collision avoidance: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202627%
2025813%
20241611%
202326%
2022913%
202155%
202022%
201953%
201711%
201611%
201521%
201311%

Other parts of the 2021 BMW X5

Electrical system
38 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
31 complaints
Engine
25 complaints
Other or unknown
18 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
9 complaints
Air bags
7 complaints
Engine cooling
7 complaints
Brakes
6 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Vehicle speed control
4 complaints
Fuel system
3 complaints
Lane departure
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 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