Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2026 BMW X5. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Air Bag May Deploy Improperly
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2026 X6, X7, X5, and X5 Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The instrument panel may have been manufactured incorrectly and prevent the passenger-side air bag from deploying properly.
- Consequence
- An air bag that does not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the instrument panel trim, free of charge. The vehicles have not been sold from dealer inventory and therefore, no owner letters will be mailed. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 4, 2025.
Windshield Not Sealed Properly
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2026 X5 Plug-in Hybrid, X5, and X7 vehicles. The windshield may not be sealed properly, which can allow water to enter the power distribution box or electronic control unit.
- Consequence
- Water inside electrical components can lead to electronic function failures, such as a loss of headlights, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an electrical short-circuit may occur, increasing the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the windshield seal. If any leaks are detected, the seal will be repaired and vehicle control units and wiring will be replaced as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (24)
24 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 24 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 9 | 37.5% |
| Back over prevention | 4 | 16.7% |
| Power train | 4 | 16.7% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 16.7% |
| Engine | 3 | 12.5% |
| Structure | 3 | 12.5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 12.5% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 8.3% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 8.3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 4.2% |
How 2026 compares with other X5 years
Best and worst X5 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 74 | 6 |
| 2018 | 72 | 5 |
| 2019 | 191 | 13 |
| 2020 | 113 | 11 |
| 2021 | 108 | 12 |
| 2022 | 69 | 1 |
| 2023 | 33 | 4 |
| 2024 | 145 | 8 |
| 2025 | 62 | 5 |
| 2026 | 24 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 4 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2026 BMW X5 suv awd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 25 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,300
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 360 g/mi
- EPA class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 25 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 / 27 / 25 | $3,300 | 360 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 27 / 25 | $3,300 | 352 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 23 / 22 | $3,750 | 130 |
| 4.4 L 8-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | $4,350 | 458 |
| 4.4 L 8-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | $5,500 | 589 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2026 X5 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2026 BMW X5 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2026 BMW X5 have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 25V837000 (air bag), 25V556000 (visibility). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2026 BMW X5 problems?
Owners filed 24 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (9), Back over prevention (4), Power train (4) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2026 BMW X5 get?
EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic version at 23 city, 27 highway and 25 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2026 BMW X5 get?
NHTSA rated the 2026 BMW X5 suv awd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (15.9% rollover risk).
How does the 2026 X5 compare with other years?
Among the 2017–2021 BMW X5 model years at least five years old, the 2018 drew the fewest complaints (72) and the 2019 the most (191). The 2026 drew 24. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.