2015 BMW X5 Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Exhaust system
  1
• Engine › Oil/lubrication › Filter/screen
  1
• Cooling system › Pump
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  15%
• 25k–50k
  29%
• 50k–75k
  29%
• 75k–100k
  627%
• 100k–150k
  836%
• 150k+
  314%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 BMW X5 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owned a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the contact became aware of sparks outside the driver's and passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact became aware that there were flames coming from under the hood. The contact stated that the fire had started in the engine compartment. The message "Add Coolant" was displayed, and there was an abnormal odor while the vehicle was on fire. The contact immediately exited the vehicle. The Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was completely burned and was towed to a tow yard, where it was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel). …

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the contact observed smoke emanating from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road where he observed fire emanating from the engine compartment. The fire was extinguished by hand and the contact sustained hand injuries. Medical attention was not needed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that an EGR failure where coolant leaked and combined with diesel soot causing a fire. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

Rod bearing failure causing engine to be damaged. The car has 79k miles, fully maintained at a BMW dealership. My wife and toddler were driving on the highway when the car shut off with no warning. We towed the car to the same BMW dealer where we've had the car serviced since 34,673 miles.. The dealer documented metal flakes in the oil filter. The dealer confirmed a rod bearing spun causing a catastrophic failure to the engine requiring replacement. Initial quote exceeding price of car at $74k. BMW Corporate contacted me and offered a discount on a new engjne. I declined the offer because the repair work was $32,843. This rod bearing issue is a known problem among 2015-2018 BMW X5M owners. This problem in fact existed on a previous generation engine which is referred to as the S65 motor. …

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact initially received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V755000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact then stated that the DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the engine control module was defective. The contact linked the defective engine to the recall. Once the parts for the recall remedy became available, it was determined that the repair was defective and a second recall was issued under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. …

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that the water pump remained running while the vehicle was turned off, causing the battery to drain. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the thermostat, hoses, and water pump were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted with the water pump continuously running while the vehicle was turned off. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle began to lose automotive power and reduced speeds and smoke was present coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was driven to the home and while parked in the garage the temperature gauge indicated that the engine temperature was extremely hot. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the coolant pump and coolant pump connector was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 151,000.

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the EGR module and cooler were malfunctioning and needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V755000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure and was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing battery drainage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the battery was replaced twice; however, the failure persisted. The dealer informed the contact that the auxiliary water pump was continuously running after turning off the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with parasitic battery draw due to the auxiliary water pump malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, she began to notice smoke coming from passenger side on the hood. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V755000( Engine and Engine Cooling) but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that instrument cluster failed to provide safety messages. The contact stated the instrument cluster only notified her of issues when she attempted to open the engine hood door. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 49,000.

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the drivetrain warning light was displayed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and it was discovered that the chain connected to the high-pressure fuel pump fractured and bent the valves. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure due to the malfunction. The mechanic notified the manufacturer of the failure and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

Related recalls

Engine complaints in other X5 years