2021 BMW X5 Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 4%of 110 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the body and structure of the 2021 BMW X5, 4% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, 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.
“This is a new Bmw X5 2 months old with 2000 miles. The vehicle was parked not running with no power in my garage. On saturday morning it spontaneously combusted into flames. I happened to be near the garage and spotted the flames 4-5 feet tall shooting out from hood. I immediately ran inside to ensure my family was exiting the house and we called 911. I attempted to extinguish the flames with a hose while waiting on the fire dept. They arrived and extinguished and cut all electrical power to the vehicle and winched it out of my garage. …”
NHTSA complaint #11413936, filed 2021-04, 2,000 miles“Car was parked in fairly level spot with engine off, gear selector in park position, , key fob not near vehicle. Approx 30 minutes later, I returned to find vehicle approx 30 feet behind parking spot, having apparently drifted into another car in parking lot. No idea how car moved. I believe some electronic release of parking selector allowed car to roll.”
NHTSA complaint #11480688, filed 2022-08“In a parking garage I found a open space and slowly moving towards that to park, car was approaching space at about 10 ft from that, all of a sudden car accelerated and lurched forward and hit the parking structure wall. Airbags deployed for all three of us, one of my colleagues was in passenger seat, another in the back seat. There was no warning on no time to react, this happens in seconds.”
NHTSA complaint #11517231, filed 2023-04“Lower tailgate failed and caused me to dump a load of groceries on a busy highway. Vehicle was inspected and it was determined that a spindle connected to a motor had failed. The tailgate must be opened and closed manually now. There were no messages of failure or warning that the rear tailgate was unlocked when this grocery incident occurred. I am a member of a Facebook forum related to this vehicle and many other owners whose vehicles were made in the same time frame have experienced this failure. The part has been on back order for a month.”
NHTSA complaint #11429142, filed 2021-08Related service bulletins
- 11035400Jul 10, 2026In the affected vehicles, an incorrect screwlocking device (circled) may have been usedfor the mounting bolts of the door latch locks.
- 11032741May 4, 2026The center console and front cup holder get noticeably too warm to the touch on long journeys with the interior "Heating on".
- 11030060Mar 6, 2026The Radiator Grilles Lower Active Air Flap Assembly limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from…
- 11018730May 14, 2025A vehicle listed above may arrive with a Check Control Message (CCM), and/or malfunction indicator lamp(MIL) illuminated. After carrying out the vehicle test, one or more of the…
- 11017506Apr 29, 2025A groaning noise is present from the door frame of any door, most commonly when driving over rough roadsor during body flex. This situation may be worse in vehicles which are…
- 11017103Apr 15, 2025The Radiator Grilles Lower Active Air Flap Assembly limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from…
- 11016446Mar 26, 2025A check control message is displayed, indicating that the parking assistance systems have limitedfunctionality due to errors detected within PDC sensors. The warning indicates…
- 10249024Jan 8, 2024This bulletin outlines known areas of possible water entry, operational noise, or wind noise for the vehicles listed above. It serves only as a diagnostic resource in…
- 10244239Oct 18, 2023This situation can result in two customer complaints: 1. Wind noise 2. Excess water entry
- 10242879Sep 12, 2023A groaning noise is present from the door frame of any door, most commonly when driving over rough roadsor during body flex. This situation may be worse in vehicles which are…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 11% |
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 4 | 12% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 4 | 4% |
| 2020 | 4 | 4% |
| 2019 | 6 | 3% |
| 2018 | 2 | 3% |
| 2017 | 5 | 7% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 6 | 4% |
| 2014 | 15 | 15% |
| 2013 | 5 | 3% |
| 2012 | 7 | 3% |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 4 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 7 | 11% |
| 2003 | 4 | 4% |
| 2002 | 9 | 9% |
| 2001 | 10 | 6% |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% |
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 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsLane 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