Most common 2023 BMW X5 problems
Share of the 33 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW X5 complaints by model year
Best X5 years: 2016, 2014, 2017. Years to avoid: 2024, 2025, 2012, 2011, 2019. Compare all years →
2023 BMW X5 recalls (4)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 8 Series Coupe…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission mechatronics module and the automatic transmission fluid, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 26, 2024.
Seats › Mid/rear assembly › Head restraint
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5 M and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The head restraints for the second-row outboard seats may have been improperly manufactured without locking tabs in the guide sleeves.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the second-row outboard seat head restraint guide sleeves, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2023.
Seats › Critical fasteners
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, X5 M50i and X5 xDrive 45e vehicles. One of the four bolts that connects the backrest to the driver's seat frame may not have been correctly installed.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat backrest and if necessary, install an attachment bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 17, 2023.
Visibility › Windshield
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive45e, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle which could allow water to enter the vehicle and contact electrical components, possibly resulting in a short-circuit.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the windshield seal and as necessary, remove and reinstall the windshield with a new seal, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2022.
What 2023 BMW X5 owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
The contact owns a 2023 BMW X5. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the contact noticed a fluid leak underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that upon driving from a complete stop, the vehicle failed to exceed 5 MPH. The check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The messages " Drivetrain Malfunction" and "4-WD Component" and other unknown messages were displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that while driving 40-50 MPH, with her one-year-old daughter in a car seat in the rear of the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving, causing the contact to pull over to the side of the road several times. …
I was accelerating from a green light in ELECTRIC only mode, once nearing 25 mph, felt a single strong jolt that caused acceleration to pause, the Hybrid mode automatically kicked in and acceleration continued under engine power. Received several warnings and alerts on the display- Stop Carefully: Power Supply Drivetrain Malfunction Continued Driving possible: Drivetrain Electric drive limited I was fortunate enough to continue driving the final 1/2 mile to my parking lot at work. After work, the engine started with the same errors as above and attempted to move, but the engine was making strange cycles of revving high and low. I called Roadside and as I idled waiting for a tow truck to arrive, the gas engine began revving high again, then low, then sputtered, then shut off and would not turn back on, leaving me in the cold. Fuel was about 1/2 tank, battery was at least 30%. …
Electrical system
The vehicle rolled away after the driver exited the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral and the parking brake was not applied. This negligent design flaw is because BMW has chosen to not revert the vehicle to Park if the door is opened like other car manufacturers. A simple software update or design change could prevent a potentially fatal incident caused by BMW's negligence in this matter.
I bought my 2023 BMW X5 brand new on 1/9/23- was driving through West Pam Beach on the way home from vacation and spilled a little water on my console. I immediately got a message on the dash that there was something wrong with the drive train. It then said not to turn off the car as it may not start again. Luckily I was 1.5 miles away from a BMW dealer and took it there where they said the water most likely seeped into the electrical compartment. After diagnostics were done, that was found to be the case and I was told I needed a new part but eventually was told that the part was 5 weeks out so they would take it out and dry it off and see if that works-which it did. My concern is that the electrical system is not protected at all. It sits under the shifter- right by the drink holders- and because I squeezed a water bottle and some water got onto the console it shut the car down. …
Engine & cooling
I was accelerating from a green light in ELECTRIC only mode, once nearing 25 mph, felt a single strong jolt that caused acceleration to pause, the Hybrid mode automatically kicked in and acceleration continued under engine power. Received several warnings and alerts on the display- Stop Carefully: Power Supply Drivetrain Malfunction Continued Driving possible: Drivetrain Electric drive limited I was fortunate enough to continue driving the final 1/2 mile to my parking lot at work. After work, the engine started with the same errors as above and attempted to move, but the engine was making strange cycles of revving high and low. I called Roadside and as I idled waiting for a tow truck to arrive, the gas engine began revving high again, then low, then sputtered, then shut off and would not turn back on, leaving me in the cold. Fuel was about 1/2 tank, battery was at least 30%. …
The car had been preconditioned and driven within 45 minutes of my starting a route to the gym, all surface streets/neighborhood. I was in electric mode. I came to a stop at an intersection and when the light turned green, I pulled into the intersection to turn left and the car stalled. No power, no power steering. I put it in park and tried to restart in sport (ICE) mode and nothing happenned. After a few tries it did start to limp and I cleared the intersection and pulled over. I was still unable to restart in sport mode, and kept getting red screens, or blank screens. After a few minutes, the car was able to start as if everything was normal, and I continued to drive. It was a very dangerous situation, and there were no further warnings or alerts. I was able to drive it home and to the dealership where it is now.
2023 BMW X5 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo hybrid | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 21 / 26 / 23 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo hybrid | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 21 / 25 / 23 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo plug-in hybrid | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 19 / 22 / 20 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2023 BMW X5 a good car?
Based on 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2023 X5 rates use caution: 1.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the X5 at the same age. It is one of the X5 years we suggest avoiding. 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 2023 BMW X5?
The transmission & drivetrain — 8 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (8) and engine & cooling (5).
How many recalls does the 2023 BMW X5 have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2023 BMW X5, the most recent from December 6, 2023 (control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)). 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 2023 BMW X5 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 6,000 miles; 67% 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.