2009 BMW X5 Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

30Engine complaints

21.7%Of all 138 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

AIR BAGS41 · 29.7%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM37 · 26.8%

ENGINE30 · 21.7%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16 · 11.6%

POWER TRAIN10 · 7.2%

Share of the 138 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2009 BMW X5 overview page.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V336000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED…”NHTSA complaint 11174310 — filed 02/04/2019

“ENGINE FAILURE WITH LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND PISTON ROD BREAKING OFF THE CRANK CASE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60-65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY”NHTSA complaint 11166227 — filed 01/10/2019

“I AM SMELLING EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR HEALTH EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. THE MORE THE CABIN HEAT IS APPLIED, THE MORE EXHAUST SMELL…”NHTSA complaint 11155281 — filed 11/30/2018

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 BMW X5 have engine problems?

Engine is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2009 BMW X5: 30 of 138 complaints on file (21.7%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2009 BMW X5 have in total?

138 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 3 involved a crash, 8 involved a fire, 3 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.