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Other or unknownPart report

2021 BMW X5 Other or unknown Problems

Complaints
18about this part
Share
16%of 110 total for the year
Median mileage
7,500miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2021 BMW X5, 16% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 7,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Drove at the speed of 75 MPH in the highway all in a sudden the car lost power until its speed dropped to 62 MPH. It is a hybrid. Dash board showed some reserved battery power and half tank of gasoline. It is a big safety issue. Need to find the cause of it.”

NHTSA complaint #11414335, filed 2021-04, 7,500 miles

“Problem with starter. They don’t start from first time, sometimes from 2-3. As I’m check it in forums, it can burn another parts and make fire. As i now bmw x5 from 2019 to 2024 have problem with starter and have opened recall for it. But when I’m visit now service center, they say me that my vin number not selected for starter recall and I must contact you first.”

NHTSA complaint #11767455, filed 2026-09

“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

“While driving on a highway (with the sunroof closed) I heard a very loud explosion type sound, which was followed by glass falling off my roof. I pulled off the highway as quickly as I could and was able to confirm that the sunroof had exploded (the sunshade was drawn so the glass did not fall on me). At the time of the explosion, there were no cars in front of me or next to me. I did not go under an overpass. The car was not hit by any object. The sunroof exploded spontaneously.”

NHTSA complaint #11464092, filed 2022-05

“In the middle of a busy intersection, the car just completely shut down. The car only had ~35,000 miles on the odometer and has been serviced only by BMW. It turned out that the water pump broke, which led to downstream impact on additional surrounding systems. BMW X5’s up to model year 2019 had recalls due to faulty water pumps. From an independent search online, it appears there are many owners of 2021 BMWs who have experienced water pump failures like I did. This could have led to a major safety incident as my husband nearly avoided an accident. …”

NHTSA complaint #11667027, filed 2025-06

Related service bulletins

Other or unknown: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026621%
202558%
202496%
2023824%
20221724%
20211816%
20201614%
20193116%
20181115%
2017912%
20161419%
20151913%
201499%
20131812%
2012145%
2011208%
20101310%
200997%
2008126%
200746%
200664%
200545%
200435%
200377%
200255%
200143%
200027%

Other parts of the 2021 BMW X5

Electrical system
38 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
31 complaints
Engine
25 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
9 complaints
Air bags
7 complaints
Engine cooling
7 complaints
Brakes
6 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
5 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