2009 BMW X5 Sav: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 19 owner complaints on record; most reports concern fuel/propulsion system.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2022
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2019
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2018
“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???”Owner report · Wheels · May 2018
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“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2018
“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!”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2017
“I received 2 recall notices regarding this car; the air bag recall was issued on 2/5/2016 and the fuel pump recall was issued on 10/13/2016. No one representing bmw has contacted me yet to have these potentially life-threatening issues resolved. I feel that bmw should escalate their recall resolution process to fixing these recalls within weeks, not months. It has been too long to wait - especially considering I am one head-on crash away from being killed by flying shrapnel from the air bag, or having my car seize suddenly at 65 mph because the fuel pump stopped working. These recalls are not cosmetic - they're very serious safety issues and need quick resolution.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2016
“Takata recall. I received a letter from bmw indicating the recall early this year. However, bmw does not have the parts even after several months (even after multiple requests at the dealership, including one today at orange county bmw in harriman, ny) . My other vehicle (acura rl 2009 model), which was also affected by the same recall, was replaced with new airbag about 3 months ago. Why is bmw taking this much time to replace such a dangerous faulty part?”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“I own a bmw x5 diesel 2009 model year, sometime 2012 the def active tank was replaced as covered by recall. Now it has started to give the same cel code ( active tank temp sensor failure). The replacement for this issue is very costly. This is part of emissions and bmw does not want any replacement without any cost to consumers.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 bmw x5 sav. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was invalid. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 01/05/17*lj”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2016
“My 2009 bmw x5 has the pasanger airbag disabled light on and malfunction in the pasanger restraint system malfunction light on. For the past few months. I called bmw of north america and was told they have a recall on this specific problem but my VIN doesn't show this as an affected car. So they will not fix this. Even though the pasanger air bag will not deploy in an accident due to the faulty seat sensor that they have a recall on. I referenced the NHTSA campaign # 08v-384 but was still informed only specific VIN numbers are affected and they won't elaborate on how they came about with the specific criteria. *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2014
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all X5 Sav years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.
Check your exact X5 Sav by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2009 BMW X5 Sav reliable?
NHTSA has 19 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 BMW X5 Sav. The most complained-about area is fuel/propulsion system.
Does the 2009 BMW X5 Sav have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.