2020 BMW X5 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
The safety risk arises from inaccurate federal recall records maintained by BMW of North America. My vehicle had a safety recall for starter replacement (Recall 25V-644). This recall repair was already completed by an authorized BMW dealer, and the starter was replaced under warranty. However, BMW continues to list the recall as OPEN with “Remedy Not Available.” This creates a safety risk because inaccurate recall records may lead to improper vehicle safety status, incorrect regulatory reporting, and potential refusal of assistance if a starter-related failure or no-start condition occurs in the future. The problem has been confirmed by an authorized BMW dealer, and I have official service documentation showing that the recall repair was completed. The vehicle was inspected and repaired by BMW of Gwinnett Place. No warning lights were present after the repair. This complaint is not about a new mechanical failure, but about BMW’s failure to accurately update and close a completed safety recall, which misrepresents the vehicle’s safety status.
engine hesitates on startup and doesn't turnover. plenty of power, battery is fine. other models have been recalled, but for some reason, this model is not included. please extend this recall to include more models as the problem exists in other 2020 models not on the current recall list.
My 2020 BMW X5 experienced starter failure after completing recall campaign 24V-576 for starter electrical overload risk. The vehicle was subject to this recall which acknowledged a defect causing electrical overload to the starter system. I completed the required software update in late 2024, approximately 4 years after the vehicle was manufactured and exposed to the acknowledged defect. Following the recall repair, the starter system failed on three separate occasions over a six-week period. The most recent failure occurred while traveling with family, creating a safety risk by nearly stranding us in a remote location. The vehicle would not start despite multiple attempts, requiring emergency roadside assistance. The failing starter component has been diagnosed and confirmed by an authorized BMW dealership service center. The dealership provided a repair estimate of approximately $3,000 for starter replacement. The component is available for inspection upon request at the dealership. Prior to complete failure, there were intermittent starting issues with the engine occasionally requiring multiple start attempts. No warning lamps or dashboard messages appeared before the failures. The vehicle has low mileage for its age, making this a premature component failure. The timeline strongly suggests the starter damage resulted from prolonged exposure to the electrical overload defect acknowledged in the recall, as the failure occurred shortly after the 4-year delayed software remedy was applied. The manufacturer has not inspected the failed component despite the clear connection to their acknowledged safety defect.
The car caught on fire spontaneously when it was parked and locked. The fire started approximately 5 minutes after it was driven for 20 minutes. The fire started under the hood. There was light smoke to begin with which got worse after around 13 minutes and then flames started spewing out at the opening between the hood and the windshield. The car was fully engulfed in flames 5 minutes later with flames going as high as 2 floors. It was finally extinguished by the fire department. The car is currently with my insurance company in their tow yard.
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the engine was overheating. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the starter had failed and caused the battery to fail. The contact was informed that the starter and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,671.
Grievance/Complaint for 2020 X5 BMW Firer December 9, 2021 (49 days Owner) I was on my way to work, and I stopped at the local Bank of America drive through. While on my way, I received two (2) malfunction message saying the same thing, “ Scam Likely 1-470-781-9727; (Check Control) Vehicle key missing, Close message; Vehicle key not available or malfunctioning. Drive-ready mode cannot be started. See Driver’s Manual for further information.” (This was the message/malfunction.) I took a picture and call my salesperson, Mr. Preston at BMW of Gwinnett Place and informed him that the key was in the cup, so I tried to place it on the dashboard. I did not understand why I received a malfunction message the key missing because the car would not go anywhere without a key, however, he asked me to send the picture to him and I did. As I was getting out my X5, I began to have anxiety and became traumatized (praying, crying, yelling etc.) at this point, thinking my X5 is going to catch a fire and blow up the bank. I went into the Bank to alert them of the X5 smoking so that they can evacuate if needed. I went back to my X5 to gather as much as I could of my Christmas gifts and other Items quickly. At that time another lady was standing on the side walk and asked if she could help me removed the items from my X5.I was hysterical, and my hand was bleeding from grabbing items out the X5. My safety and others was at risk. The X5 could have been in my garage on firer and my house and family could have died and lost everything; The seat belt could have locked with me in it and I could have died. The bank ATM drive through could have blown up and all the customers could have been injured.BMW of North America insisted that I fill on my insurance because the the engineers did an observation investigation and did not see any fault of manufacture or electrical issue.The vehicle is now under the investigation of my insurance and I have not been notified of the cause at this time.
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Quick Summary
The 2020 BMW X5 has 6 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.