2014 BMW X5 Problems & Complaints

Average31% fewer complaints than a typical year of the X5 at the same age

Owners have filed 99 complaints about the 2014 BMW X5 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the X5 at the same age. The most reported problem area is the fuel & propulsion system (32 complaints, typically around 91,000 miles). 8 recalls cover this model year.

99complaints
8recalls
3crashes
10fires
3injuries
0deaths

Most common 2014 BMW X5 problems

  • 3232%
  • Engine & cooling~101,000 miles
    2121%
  • Electrical system~20,000 miles
    1515%
  • Body & structure~16,000 miles
    1515%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~65,000 miles
    1212%
  • Other / not specified~55,000 miles
    99%
  • Air bags~20,000 miles
    66%
  • Speed control & acceleration~10,000 miles
    44%
  • Brakes~65,000 miles
    44%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~110,000 miles
    33%
  • Equipment & accessories~10,000 miles
    22%
  • Locks & latches~15,000 miles
    22%
  • Stability & traction control~21,000 miles
    22%
  • Suspension
    22%
  • Steering~0 miles
    11%
  • Seat belts~58,000 miles
    11%

Share of the 99 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

BMW X5 complaints by model year

’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’262916010210064821951302351571432872921629915274757319311311072331456327
Owner complaints per model year, BMW X5. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best X5 years: 2016, 2014, 2017. Years to avoid: 2024, 2025, 2012, 2011, 2019. Compare all years →

2014 BMW X5 recalls (8)

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 24V-527 · Jul 11, 2024 · 1,145 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe…

Remedy: The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 23V-797 · Nov 24, 2023 · 486 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, X5 sDrive35i, X5 xDrive35i, and 2015 X4 xDrive35i vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Fuel system, diesel

NHTSA recall 21V-907 · Nov 19, 2021 · 50,404 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon, 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV, and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV diesel vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755.

Fuel system, diesel › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 21V-586 · Jul 29, 2021 · 11,216 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, X5 xDrive35d, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, and 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 14, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)

NHTSA recall 18V-755 · Oct 25, 2018 · 44,368 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d and 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an…

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the EGR cooler as necessary. If a leak has already occurred, the engine intake manifold will also be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 16V-683 · Sep 21, 2016 · 3,606 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 BMW X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, X3 xDrive28d, X4 xDrive28i and X4 xDrive35i vehicles, and model year 2014-2015 X5 xDrive35i, X5 sDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, and 2014 X5 xDrive35d vehicles.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began on November 1, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Show 2 more recalls

Air bags

NHTSA recall 15V-147 · Mar 13, 2015 · 46 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 BMW X5 xDrive 35d Sports Activity Vehicles (SAV) manufactured August 19, 2014, to February 16, 2015, and 2014-2015 BMW X5 xDrive 35i, X5 sDrive 35i, X5 xDrive 50i, Sports Activity Vehicles (SAV) manufactured August 28, 2013, to February 16, 2015.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Head Protection System, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Latches/locks/linkages

NHTSA recall 14V-202 · Apr 17, 2014 · 6,400 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 X5 SAV vehicles manufactured December 12, 2013, through March 10, 2014, and equipped with the Soft Close Automatic (SCA) option.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear side door locks and any affected door locks will be replaced, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2014 BMW X5:

High pressure fuel pump failure

NHTSA investigation EA23001 · opened Mar 17, 2023 · open · led to recall 24V-957

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.

What 2014 BMW X5 owners say

Fuel & propulsion system all 32 →

The contact owns a 2014 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the drivetrain malfunction warning light was illuminated and the speed began to decelerate. The contact was able to drive to his residence approximately at 25 mph. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and the engine intake manifold to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that he experience the failure for a second time but the vehicle was not repaired. …

128,000 miles · Dec 2021

The contact owns a 2014 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled and shifted into neutral(N) independently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump was defective. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the entire fuel system needed to be replaced due to the intrusion of metal fragments into the fueling system. The dealer charged a repair fee and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V586000 (Fuel System, Diesel) as the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. …

65,000 miles · Mar 2023

Engine & cooling all 21 →

The contact owns a 2014 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at 30-50 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact also stated that he smelled a strong oil, diesel and coolant odor inside the vehicle while driving. The contact stated that the failures reoccurred while driving at 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a nearby independent mechanic. The contact then noticed smoke coming out from underneath the hood. The contact later opened the hood and noticed that the engine components had melted. The independent mechanic referred the contact to the dealer. …

130,000 miles · Sep 2022

The contact owns a 2014 BMW X5. While the contact's daughter was attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the 12-Volt battery and the auxiliary battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who specialized in foreign-made vehicles. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the water pump was constantly running and was draining the 12-Volt battery. The mechanic determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …

160,000 miles · Dec 2025

Electrical system

The contact owns a 2014 BMW X5. While the contact's daughter was attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the 12-Volt battery and the auxiliary battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who specialized in foreign-made vehicles. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the water pump was constantly running and was draining the 12-Volt battery. The mechanic determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …

160,000 miles · Dec 2025

The contact owns a 2014 BMW X5. The contact stated that upon attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that after several attempts the vehicle started and driven to a service center where the battery was replaced; however, the contact became aware that the battery was draining abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the water pump was leaking onto an electrical plug connector, causing the vehicle to short circuit. The contact stated that the water pump was replaced, and a shield was installed over the connector. The vehicle was repaired. …

101,000 miles · Dec 2024

2014 BMW X5 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel8-speed automaticAWD23 / 31 / 26
3.0L 6-cyl turbo8-speed automaticRWD19 / 27 / 22
3.0L 6-cyl turbo8-speed automaticAWD18 / 26 / 21
4.4L 8-cyl turbo8-speed automaticAWD15 / 22 / 17

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 BMW X5 a good car?

Based on 99 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 X5 rates average: 31% fewer complaints than a typical year of the X5 at the same age. It is one of the best X5 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2014 BMW X5?

The fuel & propulsion system — 32 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (21) and electrical system (15).

How many recalls does the 2014 BMW X5 have?

There are 8 recalls for the 2014 BMW X5, the most recent from July 11, 2024 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the BMW X5?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2014 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2025, 2012, 2011 and 2019. See the full BMW X5 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2014 BMW X5 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 28,000 miles; 57% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

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.