2010 BMW X5 Sav: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 19 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine.
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 steering as car was driving approx 50 mph on garden state parkway at top of bridge over the raritan river. Battery warning came on dash, car lost power and then stopped. No collision or injury. Car was towed and repaired by c&t towing and auto repair, rahway nj. Damage observed was partially melted idler pulley and shredded drive belt. Repair included replacement of drive belt, a.c. Stretch belt, idler pulley, drive belt tensioner and serpentine tensioner.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2018
“This vehicle has had an open recall 18v-336 since may of 2018 . The vehicle manufacturer has yet to provide a remedy to correct this dangerous defect in the vehicle. When will a remedy be provided? It seem almost a year would be enough time to fix this defect .”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2018
“Repairing the twin-turbo in my car again in less than a year. Last year the hoses were all replaced this year the dealer says one of the two turbo units in the vehicle needs to be replaced (smaller one). The car is doing the same thing it did last year losing power and making it dangerous to drive in traffic. If I am at a light, it takes about half a block for it to accelerate to normal speed. I ended up having the care towed to the bmw dealer because it was not safe to drive in traffic. After doing some research, the turbo has been an ongoing problem in the x5d. The car is just under 85,000 original miles and since I purchased two years ago, have logged less than 20,000 miles. .”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2017
Show 6 more owner reports
“A known defect of an engine compartment partition/seal caused outside water to enter the engine compartment. The water drips and accumulates over the last fuel injectors, leading to an eventual short. When the short occurs, the vehicle looses all power. The engine shuts off preventing acceleration, power steering no longer functional, power brakes no longer assisted. The short occurred while driving through an intersection. The car stalled in the middle of the intersection and needed to be towed. Fortunately, traffic was minimal and other vehicles were able to slow down and drive around my vehicle, preventing a collision. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2016
“The fuel filter heater was recalled (recall no. 13v-339). We had to have our fuel filter heater replaced and was not covered under warranty because the recall was for vehicles produced from 6/2009 - 11/2009 and our car was produced in 12/2009. We had our fuel filter heater replaced because we had a check engine light on and when we took to dealer we were told that we needed a new fuel filter heater, therefore we feel we are intitlled to the recall.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2016
“Was driving on the freeway at 100 km / h when three high pop arrival. Went out to edge. There was oil on the road. I got a tow truck and moved the car to the workshop. It found that out the drive shaft had given him. It entered and broke the oil pan of the machine. I've seen many posts about this problem but my car is not under warranty. But I see many bmw owners around the world have received this repair of bmw. This is a very expensive repair.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2016
“Bmw x5 diesel. My car has been in the shop for a week. Bmw will not replace a part that was part of a voluntary recall. This is the second time. Scr metering valve - service action: replace the selective catalyst reduction (scr) metering unit. Si b18 04 12 exhaust systems”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2015
“On three separate occasions my bmw x5 has lost engine power on the highway. It has happened after driving a few hours. The engine suddenly loses power. The last time it happened the transmission problem light went on. Our car has now been at the fresno bmw dealership for one month. Nothing has been fixed and we are not getting any information from the service department. This car is unsafe to drive.”Owner report · Engine · May 2015
“Park distance control issue. Upon selection of reverse, park distance control (pdc) seem to function properly, giving correct visual and audible alerts to objects. Upon transition to drive, however, pdc malfunctions in the following manner: 1) visual alert on control display indicates in red, alerting me to an object in close proximity, even when no object in near 2) continuous audible tone corresponding to red display. This continuous tone/alert is displayed for up to 20 seconds, upon which time both indications cease. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2012
Recalls - 5 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.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
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 2010 BMW X5 Sav reliable?
NHTSA has 19 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 BMW X5 Sav. The most complained-about area is engine.
Does the 2010 BMW X5 Sav have open recalls?
5 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.