Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 BMW X5 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact used force to pull over to the side of the road. The messages "Active Steering Inactive" and "Change of Steering Wheel and 4WD Malfunction" were displayed. The braking system warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the foot module had failed. The foot pedal was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer three times. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an unknown failure. The cooling system was replaced. …
The contact owns a 2007 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the brakes delayed in responding. The failure had occurred on several occasions. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the secondary hydraulic pump needed to be replaced. The contact researched and was made aware of an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 217,000.
Unintended acceleration with loss of braking effectiveness. We hit a tree head on going at least 50 by the time we struck it. The vehicle was inspected before we bought it and we only bought it 3 days before the accident occurred. The check engine light came on that afternoon and we were going to get it checked out on Monday.
When purchased, it was discovered that the OE Passenger Side (Right) brake light/indicator housing of this vehicle had melted from the heat of the standard OE halogen brake bulb, causing the brake light to fall out of its placement in the housing. This results in the brake light indicator to emit little or no visible warning to other drivers, since the indicator bulb has fallen down outside of the casing. Because the indicator may not be visible to other drivers, it presents a hazard of others not being warned that I am braking and could result in drivers of other vehicles not being prepared to brake and therefore could result in a collision that can vary from minor fender bender to fatal collision. It could also result in a more devastating vehicle fire that could destroy more than just the indicator housing. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 BMW X5. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle began to decelerate. When the brake pedal was depressed, it traveled to the floorboard and failed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The brake warning light and parking brake light illuminated. The vehicle was inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake light, brake booster, master cylinder, and faulty lights, and sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.
Safety item. Parking brake system failure. While driving on the city street, the parking brake got engage by itself, making impossible to drive and got all kind of warnings on the screen. ABS, 4x4, park, AWD, dsc,ebv. Brakes smoking noticed, when we were able to stop the car. Parking brake was unable to be release by normal procedures. Got it release later by manual release procedures in order to move the car to the shop. BMW tech found parking brake control unit part number 34436850289 bad and was replaced with a new one dealer cost part $1200 plus $700 labor. Problem was resolved. I glad that this failure was not a high speed and we were able to control the car. Otherwise could be fatalities. Should be a recall on this part. Forums show several people with the same problem. Vehicle have 134494 miles at the time of the incident with part failure. …
Vehicle experiences dsc and AWD and 4x4 malfunction while driving. When the error occurs with gas pedal depressed, car will hesitate by going into neutral and jumping back into drive accompanied by engine revving up to above 3000 RPM. When the error occurs and the gas is not depressed, car will go into neutral and coast, until I engage the transmission. If the car is traveling less than 5 MPH and the error occurs, then the car jerks to a halt and the transmission is switched into park automatically. This typically happened in stop and go traffic. Had dealer diagnose the problem, presumed it was due to steering angle sensor needing to be reinitialized, but the error still occurred. Often times, when I start my car and the error occurs prior to be even selecting a gear.
I have the same complaint that another owner made under NHTSA id number 10483182. The plastic rocker switch for the electromechanical parking/emergency brake broke during the course of normal actuation and required the entire "emf switch" assembly to be replaced in order to resume operation of the parking/emergency brake. This switch appears to have a durability issue which could cause a vehicle to be stuck with the brake set on or unable to set the brake when needed. When I inquired about any modifications to the switch design that might address the matter going forward I was informed that there has been no change in the design of the replacement part. It sounds like this part remains apt to fail prematurely and suddenly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 BMW X5. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to slow down. The brake pedal was applied forcefully numerous times before coming to a stop. The vehicle was able to resume in operation. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 13V045000 (service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic) when the failure had not yet been experienced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer after the failure was experienced where it was diagnosed that the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving and applying the brakes, the vehicle failed to stop in a timely manner causing the braking distance to be extended 60-70 feet. BMW of northwest arkansas (2500 se moberly ln, bentonville, ar 72712; [phone]) was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V045000 (service brakes hydraulic, service brakes). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,871.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist
BMW is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 X5 SAV vehicles, manufactured September 12, 2006, through March 18, 2010 and equipped with an 8-cylinder engine. The brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil into the hose. The contamination could result in a loss of power assist braking.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake vacuum line with one that contains a check valve, free of charge. The recall began during March 2013.
Service brakes, hydraulic
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, "passenger car brake systems." the cap of the brake fluid reservoir has been designed in orderto recognize a low fluid level of the hydraulic brake system by triggering a red warning lamp in the instrument cluster.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap free of charge. The recall began on September 20, 2007. Owners May contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
Brake complaints in other X5 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2007 BMW X5?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the brakes of the 2007 BMW X5, 22% of the model year's 130 complaints. The component named most often is power assist › vacuum › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 BMW X5 brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-045 (power assist, Feb 7, 2013); NHTSA recall 07V-391 (service brakes, hydraulic, Aug 29, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 BMW X5 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.