Model year record

2009 BMW X5 Sav recalls & problems

The 2009 BMW X5 Sav has 4 safety recalls and 19 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel/propulsion system (10 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints19filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Engine and engine coolingMar 2, 2022

Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)

Recall 22V119000917,106 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Air bagsFeb 5, 2016

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 16V071000840,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Service brakesFeb 7, 2013

Service brakes

Recall 13V04500030,265 vehicles

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

Components: Service brakes; Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist

Engine and engine coolingNov 27, 2012

Engine › Diesel

Recall 12V55000029,800 vehicles

Problem: BMW is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 X5 xDrive 35d SAV diesel vehicles manufactured September 1, 2008, through November 15, 2012. The engine belt idler pulley bolt could loosen and break over time.
Risk: If the engine belt idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and tighten the idler pulley bolt. The recall began on January 15, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Components: Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel; Steering › Hydraulic power assist system

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Typical mileage*
Fuel/propulsion system	10	1	86,500 mi
Air bags	7	1	63,000 mi
Engine	3	0	—
Service brakes	3	0	81,014 mi
Exterior lighting	2	0	—
Electrical system	2	0	—
Vehicle speed control	1	0	—
Wheels	1	0	—
Engine and engine cooling	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine cooling
The contact owns a 2009 BMW X5. The contact stated that upon turning the heater on, there was a strong burning odor coming from the A/C vents. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was diagnosed as a burning oil odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the intake gasket was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the fan relay. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not…
Mar 3, 2018 · 103,000 miles
Electrical system
LOST POWER WHILE CRUISING AT 60 M/HR. OTHER CARS ALMOST HIT ME WHEN I WAS TRYING TO MOVE TO THE SIDE FOR SAFETY CAUSING LOTS OF TRAFFIC. THEN WENT TO THE BMW DEALER (PATRICT BMW) IN SCHAUMBURG IL FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN THE FUEL SYSTEM ELECTRICALLY. THE WIRING HARNESS WERE MELTED , BLEW FUSE AND RELAY AND THEY SAID THE MOTOR ALSO BURNED OUT. I WILL ATTACHED DOCUMENT FROM THE BMW DEALER FOR MOE INFO.
Apr 30, 2019
Fuel/propulsion system
2009 BMW X5 DIESEL PASSIVE TANK FAILED. I TOLD THE DEALER AND CALLED BMW CUSTOMER CARE AND TOLD THEM THIS IS EMMISIONS RELATED AND THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED IT WHEN THEY REPLACED THE ACTIVE TANK A YEAR AGO. BMW DIESELS WILL NOT PASS SMOG DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGNS OF THE ACTIVE AND PASSIVE TANKS THAT CONTAIN DEF. THE SENSORS ARE LOCATED INSIDE THE TANK AND CANNOT BE REPLACED BY AN OVER THE COUNTER BMW PART. HENCE THE WHOLE TANKS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NOT WILLING TO HELP AND BASICALLY TOLD ME TO GO BUY ANOTHER BRAND WHICH I WILL AFTER OWNING 4 BMW. BMW SHOULD BE HEAVILY INVESTIGATED FOR DESIGNING A POOR EMMISIONS SYSTEM FOUND IN THE BMW X5 AND 335D DIESEL VEHICLES SOLD…
May 6, 2018 · 119,992 miles
Service brakes
BRAKE LIGHTS ARE FAILING CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. BMW ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM (SB-10040177-8428 / SI B63 10 09) IN MARCH 2011. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED BY THE BMW DEALERSHIP MANY MANY TIMES, BUT THE SERVICE BULLETIN WAS NEVER MENTIONED OR EXECUTED. WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE DASH - ISSUE IS PRESENT BOTH MOVING AND STATIONARY. HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2013/SB-10040177-8428.PDF HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2013/SB-10040177-8428.PDF
Jun 4, 2018 · 135,000 miles
Wheels
SIR, BMW INSTALLS RUNFLATS ON ALL THEIR CARS. ON THIS X5 I'VE REPLACED THESE TIRES 3 OR 4 TIMES AT MY OWN EXPENSE AS RUNFLATS EITHER GET PUNCTURE OR LEAK AND ONE CAN'T REPLACE @3/32 OLY ONE.THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE AND HAVE NOT SERVED THIS SUV WELL. IN FACT, MY WIFE'S BM@ 535XI I DID THE SAME AND THREW OUT OEM TIRES WITH NEW MICHELIN AND SPARE. BRIDGESTONE HAS A WARRRANTY IF WITHIN 3YRS THEY WILL REPLACE @ VERY LARGE PRORATED DISCOUNT. I'VE SPENT $270 EACH TIME PLUS HEADACHES OF BREAKING DOWN IN PHILA OR IN NYC ON WAY TO PICK UP WIFE FROM JFK @ MIDNITE. FILE SIZE IS OVER 5GB SO HOW DO I LOAD IT???
May 1, 2018 · 80,000 miles
Vehicle speed control
DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH MY 4 YEAR OLD SON AND GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT RESPOND AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE DASH LIGHTS UP WITH DSC 4X4 ERROR ALSO BATTERY LIGHT AND HAND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE STARTED TO ACCELERATING UNCONTROLLABLY AT THIS TIME AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH WHAT IT SEEMED AS HALF FULL . THROTTLE WENT UNRESPONSIVE AND THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN . MOVED OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR SHUT OFF AS I AM TRYING TO PARK IT . NEEDLES TO SAY THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT CAUSED MY CAR TO SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESSWAY WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH NOT TO MENTION IT PUT MY SONS LIFE IN DANGER.
Jan 28, 2018 · 13 miles
Engine
I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN / RECALL FROM BMW SI B16 0102 WHICH I OBTAINED FROM THE NHTSA WEBSITE. MY BMW, [XXX], WAS SHOWING AN EMISSIONS FAULT CODE RELATED TO THE PART ADDRESSED IN THE UNLIMITED AGE/MILEAGE TSB. I WENT TO THE DEALER REGARDING THIS ITEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT CAN BE DONE AT AROUND 110,000 MILES IN APRIL OF 2017. I WAS INFORMED THE PART IS NOT IN STOCK. WHEN I RETURNED IN JUNE TO SEE ABOUT THE SERVICE BEING DONE, I WAS, AGAIN, TOLD THE PART WAS NOT IN STOCK - AND THAT I ALSO DO NOT QUALIFY AS THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 130,000 MILES, AND THE NEW BULLETIN HAS A MILEAGE CUTOFF OF 120,000 MILES. I WAS INFORMED I COULD CONTACT BMW DIRECTLY AND DISCUSS A…
Apr 1, 2017 · 110,000 miles
Service brakes
WHILE DRIVING 15-20 MPH;ELECTROMECHANICAL PARKING BRAKE FAILURE--SOFTWARE GLITCH THAT CAUSED THE PARKING BRAKE ACTUATOR TO FAILURE // YELLOW & RED ( BRAKE & 4X4) WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON FOR PARKING BRAKE FAILURE ,BRAKES LOCKED VX CAME TO IMMEDIATE STOP AND WOULD NOT DRIVE!
Jul 7, 2017 · 72,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
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…
EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021
Idler Pulley Bolt FailureClosedLed to recall 18V336000
In a May 23, 2018 letter, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a safety defect that may result in the loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles (Recall 18V-336). The recall, which affects approximately 33,214 vehicles built from March 12, 2008 through June 27, 2013, corrects the remedy and expands the scope of a prior BMW recall (12V-550) which addressed idle pulley bolt failure in approximately 29,800 MY 2009 through 2012 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles built from September 1, 2008 through November 15, 2012. BMW's analysis indicates that due to a number of contributing factors it is possible that the bolt's pre-stressing force could drop to an extent that it results in the bolt becoming loosened over time. A loosening of the bolt could cause additional bending stress…
RQ18001 · opened Apr 18, 2018 · closed Dec 1, 2018