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 while he was cleaning the vehicle, he noticed an oil leak on the valve and an unknown odor around the location. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
The contact owns a 2007 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an inspection. While the dealer was inspecting the ABS and struts, the contact was informed that the PCV valve was damaged. The ABS was repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the repair was not completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that, per their records, the recall repair was completed in 2021. The failure mileage was unknown.
I have water leaking out of myBMW on a regular basis. I have to put a gallon of water every time I want to drive it. The oil is constantly needing to be filled. I go through a qt a day in oil. There is oil leaking all over the ground. Not sure if the water is leaking as well.
My vehicle has the commonly and popularly known weep hole coolant leak. Apparently, BMW has had this problem in previous year model cars, dating back to 2002. They have known that this was a flaw in their design. However, there has been no recalls on the repair of this issue, which costs owners thousands of dollars for labor alone for a rather 'inexpensive' part. It would only be fair for BMW to issue a recall on this commonly known issue that seems to affect hundreds of owners of bmws with the same engines. The coolant leaks on the front side of the engine through a random hole around the engine. It is a rather costly fix due to several components needing to be removed before one can get to the broken part to be replaced. It is unfair for current owners to have to pay significantly for a car that has a major design flaw. Very unhappy with this current unfortunate discovery. …
Car had 56000 miles on it, at 99500 motor went, then air springs, parking brake, Takata recall,when the transmission, vacuum pump, and how the recall on the fuel pump. Today the I drive went out in total myself and the warranty company have spend over 24000. Dollars on a car that per BMW is the ultimate driving machine, more like junk!!! And no parts in sight to repair the air bags or the fuel pump. I think a class action should be filed. I'm 58 years old not 18 I take good care of my cars. The car value on kelly blue book is only 12000. We need help to make BMW stand behind where quality not their hand in our back pockets, no car that cost 77500.00 in 2007 should have all these problems. A Ford or Chevy would do better. I've been told that BMW knew there was a problem with the 2007-2010 X5 with the 4.8 I engine and I drive but never made it good, just ask anyone that owned one. …
I have had several issues with this recall, I only had the car for 1.5 years and this is the third recall! My current main concern is there is a burning gas like oil odor in my car. I received a recall notice saying remedy is unavailable! This is unacceptable my life and my children life is in danger. BMW should provide an immediate resolution!! When I start the car I smell burning smell and sometimes see smoke come from hood of car. I took my car to BMW 2 months ago for service and was told all was well with my car. Two other recalls were corrected however, I still have the same gas odor which was due to another recall dealing with the fuel tank. This is a serious safety hazard driving this car, and its an insult for BMW to send a letter stating the issue but state there is no remedy when the recall consequences can cause a fire! And you telling me there is no immediate remedy!! …
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.
"Takata recall " I have reached out on several occasion to the dealer and the BMW recall dept concerning the problems that I'm having with the fuel pump, they assured me that they would reach out to the dealership and let them know but they have not done so, I am totally fed up with the stalling of the vehicle the engine light keep coming on and according to the recall the fuel pump can cause these sort of problems. The recall was well over a year ago and the fuel pumps were not sent to the dealership they keep saying that they are not in stock and have no way of ordering them until it is
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 BMW X5. Upon starting the vehicle, the instrument panel displayed a low coolant error message. The contact stated that the coolant reservoir was replenished and the error message was no longer displayed on the instrument panel; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that there was a coolant leak and the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon…
Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of…
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018.
Engine and engine cooling
On certain vehicles equipped with v8 engines, in conditions of below freezing temperatures combined with low humidity, it is possible for electrostatic discharge to occur at the fuel rails. If this were to occur, the engine electronic control unit (ECU) could be affected so that engine stalling could result.
Remedy: Dealers will attach two ground cables in the engine compartment free of charge. The recall began on October 29, 2007. Owners May contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
Engine complaints in other X5 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 BMW X5?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 BMW X5, 18% of the model year's 130 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2007 BMW X5 engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 22V-119 (crankcase (pcv), Mar 2, 2022); NHTSA recall 17V-683 (crankcase (pcv), Oct 30, 2017); NHTSA recall 07V-479 (engine and engine cooling, Oct 12, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 BMW X5 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.