2022 BMW X5 Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
  1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2022 BMW X5 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2022 BMW X5. The contact stated while entering into a parking lot, the vehicle accelerated on its own without any warning, causing the contact to strike some plants in the parking lot and causing damages under the vehicle. No one was injured. A police report was filed. The dealer was contacted but did not diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and sent a tech to diagnose the vehicle that stated no failure was found. The failure mileage was 10,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2022 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transfer case fluid needed to be replaced three separate times. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed again and determined that the transfer case fluid needed to be replaced. The transfer case fluid was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

Like numerous other BMW owners, my transfer case is failing in my vehicle. It's actively causing jerking/shuddering/locking up at low speeds and while making turns. This poses a significant danger to the driver and passengers in the vehicle, and other drivers as well while turning or trying to merge with traffic. I've brought the car into the dealer had the transfer case fluid changed according to the service bulletin that exists for this problem but it persists. I've brought the vehicle back into the dealer and told that now BMW suggests paying for another fluid change. This is obviously a known problem (thus the service bulletin), it's persisted with models like mine for over 5 years, had cost numerous owners significant amounts of monies out of pocket, and poses a safety risk given the transfer case is a foundational component of these vehicles' drive trains. …

I own a 2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e that has developed a drivetrain shudder during slow-speed, tight turns while lightly accelerating, such as when maneuvering in parking lots or making U-turns. The vibration is consistently reproducible under these conditions and is felt through the vehicle during the turn. The vehicle otherwise drives normally at higher speeds. After researching the issue, I found that many other owners have reported substantially similar symptoms involving the transfer case on BMW xDrive vehicles. My independent BMW repair shop has recommended a transfer case fluid service as the first corrective action based on the known nature of this problem. I am having that service performed and will retain all repair documentation. I am submitting this complaint because this appears to be a recurring issue affecting multiple vehicles. …

The high-voltage battery system (this is a plug-in hybrid) began intermittently displaying a "battery not properly charging" warning approximately 6 months ago; the issue would resolve after plugging in and charging. On July 14, 2026, while driving, the vehicle displayed a "critical battery failure - pull over immediately and drive slowly" warning. The driver pulled over and shut off the vehicle; the warning cleared and the car appeared to drive normally afterward. This warning recurred several times over the following weeks under the same pattern. On August 6, 2026, the same critical battery failure warning appeared while driving; this time steering feel and drivetrain response were abnormal, and the air conditioning and several electronic features stopped working. …

On Dec 9, 2024 I was driving my 2022 BMW X5 45E on (in EV mode) local roads at approximately 30-35mph when all of a sudden I lost power and the steering wheel became tight. My instrument panels all showed a multitude of errors including: "Chassis stabilization", "Power Supply", "Reduced Power", "Transmssion Malfuction", and others I do not recall. I was fortunately able to turn into a parking lot slowly, but the steering was tight to the point I had to use 2 hands to make turn. There was also no throttle response. As soon as the car came to a stop, I powered it off and turned it on. The car's screens were blinking and the car would not turn on. I contacted BMW Roadside and the car was towed to the dealership at East Bay BMW in Pleasanton. As of today I am still waiting for a reply on the condition of the vehicle. …

While driving, the vehicle displayed a 'Drivetrain malfunction' warning on the dashboard and began jerking. I safely pulled over and turned off the vehicle. Immediately after stopping, there was a distinct, strong electrical burning smell coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized BMW dealership. The dealer diagnosed a catastrophic failure of the starter motor. The vehicle's computer logged fault codes 21611A (excessive counter-torque), 21A511 (Start system: Timeout), and 216119 (Line disconnection). These codes confirm the starter motor suffered a severe electrical overload and thermal event. This premature failure and fire hazard identically matches the safety risks outlined in BMW's recent massive starter motor recalls (such as NHTSA Recalls 25V-636 and 26V-056), but my specific vehicle is currently excluded from those recall campaigns. …

The malfunction is my water pump is cracked & leaking coolant at 40k miles. The get up performance speed is lagging and delayed especially driving using Eco mode. The safety is at risk as the car is overheating, slow to accelerate and drive comfortably or safely. BMW of Riverside, CA has had to top off my coolant levels twice in a month or so. Bavarian Auto House located at 1009 E Balsam Ave, Anaheim, CA 92805 inspected my vehicle during a brake fluid flush and noticed my cracked leaking water pump. The low coolant levels pop up alert first appeared on my vehicle a month ago in the end of January 2025.

Drive Train Malfunction. At about 1500 miles on the vehicle, while driving on a highway, the vehicle automatically shifted to Neutral. The vehicle came to a full stop on a highway. This could have been a multiple car accident if the cars were going at highway speed. BMW SOS called me saying they received a Drive Train Malfunction alert. They had me pull over, asked me a few questions about the car and roads and let me go back on the road. I reported the issue to the manufacturer who inspected it but said the issue cannot be reproduced.

On July 8, 2026, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled while I was driving in the middle lane on the I-95 highway, creating a safety concern. There was complete loss of engine power and low power to steering. The vehicle had to be towed to BMW of Peabody, Massachusetts. The vehicle had 30850 miles during the incident. During the inspection at service centre, I was informed that the safety fuse box and 12V auxiliary battery had failed which stalled the vehicle.

Transmission complaints in other X5 years