Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

59 reports

72,000 miles · May 1, 2013

Service Brakes

VACUUM PUMP 11667545384 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS IT WAS LEAKING OIL. OIL CAUSED INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE, MAKING VEHICLE UNSAFE. THE RECALL 13V-045 ISSUED IN 2013 CALLED FOR VACUUM PIPE CHANGE AND NOT THE FAULTY VACUUM PUMP. VACUUM PUMP NEEDS TO BE PART OF THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510207

76,000 miles · Mar 13, 2013

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE HAD INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. ...UPDATED 05/08/13 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10502681

99,550 miles · Mar 4, 2013

Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THEY FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PEDAL WAS PRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANU…

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NHTSA ODI #10501232

107,000 miles · Feb 6, 2013

Engine And Engine Cooling

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE OVERHEAT WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE ELECTRONIC WATER PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 3/5/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE WATER PUMP FAILED TWICE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE NEVER RAN HOT OR LEAKED ANY COOLANT.

NHTSA ODI #10496573

81,862 miles · Nov 2, 2012

Service Brakes

EMERGENCY BRAKE BUTTON BROKE WITH A SINGLE FINGER PULL. VERY POOR QUALITY PLASTIC TRIM. EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM CANNOT USED UNLESS REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10483182

58,000 miles · Jul 28, 2012

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

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IT WAS THE NIGHT OF INDEPENDENCE DAY 2012, IT HAD RAINED MODERATELY HARD EARLIER IN THE DAY. WHEN I STARTED MY 2007 BMW X5 3.0SI TO DRIVE HOME, I WAS GREETED WITH A BUNCH OF WARNINGS AND ERRORS ON BOTH MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND NAVIGATION DISPLAY. THE MOST MAJOR ONE READ "ELECTRONIC SYSTEM MALFUNCTION: TAKE TO NEAREST BMW CENTER." THE ABS LIGHT WAS ALSO LIT UP. SINCE IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT, THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED AND SO I PROCEEDED TO TRY TO DRIVE HOME. ON THE DRIVE HOME, I NOTICED THAT MY A/C SYSTEM SHUT ITSELF OFF AND THAT MY TURN SIGNALS WERE EXTREMELY LAGGY & AT TIMES, WERE NOT EVEN TURNING ON ' A REAL TRAFFIC HAZARD. FORTUNATELY, I MADE IT HOME, BUT TURNING THE CAR OFF WAS TRICKY BECAUSE EACH TIME, ODDLY, THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE CAR AND AMBIENT LIGHTING ON DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CAR WERE STILL LIT EVEN WHEN I REMOVED THE KEYFOB AND LOCKED THE CAR. EXAMPLES INCLUDE THE RADIO UNIT, THE ENGINE START BUTTON. THE NEXT MORNING, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY CHARGED ME $200+ JUST TO PERFORM DIAGNOSTICS ON THE CAR. THEY ENDED UP FINDING NOTHING AND SUGGESTED THAT I PAY MORE FOR THEM TO TAKE OFF THE TWO FRONT SEATS AND INSPECT THE WIRES UNDER THE CARPET IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR (I FOUND OUT THAT THIS BECAUSE THEY KNEW ABOUT NHTSA ITEM #: 10032845 / SERVICE BULLETIN # SIB-61-13-07). I DECLINED BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO SPEND ANY MORE MONEY ALL FOR THEM TO NOT BE ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING AGAIN. AS OF JULY 28, 2012, THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE STILL OCCURS AFTER A MODERATE TO HEAVY RAINSTORM. I BELIEVE (ALONG WITH MANY BMW X5 OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE) THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH A FAULTY DRAINAGE PIPE RELATING TO THE PANORAMIC MOONROOF, WHICH ALLOWS FOR WATER TO LEAK INSIDE THE CAR AND SCREW UP THE CAR'S WIRING. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. THIS IS SOMETHING BMW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR & REPAIR AT NO COST. WHY SHOULD I PAY TO RESOLVE A DESIGN FLAW THAT BMW MADE!?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468057

33,000 miles · Mar 22, 2012

Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR COULD BE OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE C…

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NHTSA ODI #10452638

23,000 miles · Feb 11, 2012

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

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THE TRANSMISSION MECHATRONIC SEALING SLEEVE LEAKED FLUID AND LEFT PUDDLE OF OIL/FLUID ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS SHOWED ENGINE OIL LEAK AND EVENTUALLY CONCLUDED IT WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK RECENTLY, WHILE THE VEHICLE LEAKED THE FLUID DURING A LONG PERIOD OF TIME THAT WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH IT LEAKED ALREADY. THE TRANSMISSION IS A SEALED UNIT AND OWNER HAS NO WAY TO CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL VIA A DIPSTICK OR ANY MEAN. THE AUTOMATIC SENSOR SYSTEM ONLY CHECKS ENGINE OIL, BRAKE FLUID, POWER STEERING FLUID, ETC BUT NOT REPORTS TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL. SO, THERE IS NO WAY ANY BMW OWNER WOULD KNOW IF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS LOW OR TOTALLY EMPTY. THIS WOULD POST SAFETY ISSUE IF A VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN IN A MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC DUE TO TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK PROBLEM WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGN. FURTHERMORE, BMW HAS PUBLISHED A TECHNICAL SERVICE INFORMATION "SI B 24 08 06" DATED MARCH 2010 FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. BMW DID NOT NOTIFY OWNER TO CHECK THE VEHICLE FOR SIGN OF TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK, NOR ASKED DEALER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE DURING SERVICE VISITS. AS A MATTER OF FACT, MY 2007 X5 HAS NEVER BEEN INSPECTED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT IT CLEARLY HAD THIS PROBLEM! CONSIDERING IT IS A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE, THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT EXIST NORMALLY. THUS, THE WORKMANSHIP OR MATERIAL BMW USED IN THE (TRANSMISSION) ASSEMBLY FACTORY HAS POOR QUALITY AND CAUSES THIS SAFETY CONCERN. THERE WAS A SAYING IF A VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TOO MUCH, OR A VEHICLE WAS SITTING THERE OR NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, IT WOULD HAVE THIS PROBLEM. SUCH A SAYING SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR OF DESIGN OR QUALITY CONTROL OF BMW (OR ANY) VEHICLE AND I URGE BMW RECALLS ALL VEHICLE TO CHECK FOR TRANSMISSION LEAK DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND PAYS FOR ALL NECESSARY REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447469

54,000 miles · Nov 28, 2011

Engine And Engine Cooling

BMW RECALLED X5 FROM 2008-2011 FOR WATER PUMP FAILURE. MY X5 IS 2007 AND IT IS IDENTICAL MODEL AS 2008-2011 BMW X5. SAME DESIGN AND SAME WATER PUMP PART. HOWEVER BMW MANUFACTURER SAID IT WILL NOT BE COVERED BY RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT 2008-2011 MODEL. THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE THAT THEY DO NOT RECALL 2007 X5 EVEN IF IT IS ID…

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NHTSA ODI #10437507

53,000 miles · Nov 28, 2011

Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X5. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE WATER PUMP HAD FAILED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON …

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NHTSA ODI #10437491

Official recalls

22V119000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Mar 2, 2022

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.

Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

16V071000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Feb 5, 2016

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

13V045000 · Service Brakes; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

Feb 7, 2013

BMW is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 X5 SAV vehicles, manufactured September 12, 2006, through March 18, 2010 and equipped with an 8-cylinder engine. The brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil into the hose. The contamination could result in a loss of power assist braking.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The loss of power assist in braking could increase stopping distance and lead to a vehicle crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake vacuum line with one that contains a check valve, free of charge. The recall began during March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes

Consequence: The loss of power assist in braking could increase stopping distance and lead to a vehicle crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake vacuum line with one that contains a check valve, free of charge. The recall began during March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

Consequence: The loss of power assist in braking could increase stopping distance and lead to a vehicle crash.

07V479000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Oct 12, 2007

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES, IN CONDITIONS OF BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH LOW HUMIDITY, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE TO OCCUR AT THE FUEL RAILS. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE ENGINE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) COULD BE AFFECTED SO THAT ENGINE STALLING COULD RESULT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF STALLING WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE SPEED OR ACCELERATE AND THE POWER STEERING COULD FAIL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ATTACH TWO GROUND CABLES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

07V391000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Aug 29, 2007

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE CAP OF THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR HAS BEEN DESIGNED IN ORDERTO RECOGNIZE A LOW FLUID LEVEL OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM BY TRIGGERING A RED WARNING LAMP IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. A SWITCH THAT IS ATTACHED TO THIS CAP COULD MALFUNCTION AT HIGH TEMPERATURES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENED, THE RED WARNING LAMP IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NOT BE ACTIVATED. LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM MAY CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR CAP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module