Vehicle safety record

2016 BMW X5 Problems, complaints & recalls

No owner complaints about the 2016 BMW X5 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 6 recalls, the latest in November 2026 for the connectors / plugs / receptacles.

Share your experience See 6 recalls

NHTSA data checked 4 hours ago

61/100Safety Index

BFewer problems than a typical X5 year, for its age

Complaints: 0
Recalls: 6
Crashes: 0
Fires: 0
Injuries: 0
Deaths: 0

2016 BMW X5 recalls 6

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Electrical system: connectors / plugs / receptacles

26V733000Nov 4, 2026720,796 vehicles affected

Park outside

The problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2016 3 Series, 5 Series, Z4, 2012-2015 X1, 2013-2017 X3, 2015-2016 4 Series Gran Coupe, 2 Series Convertible, 2014-2016 328xi Gran Turismo, 2 Series Coupe, 4 Series Convertible, 3 Series Coupe, 3 Series Sportswagon, 2015-2018 X4, and 2016-2018 X5 xDrive40e vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
The risk: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the recall remedy is completed. The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in December 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 25, 2026. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 24V608. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.

Engine and engine cooling: pump

24V608000Aug 14, 2024720,796 vehicles affected

The problem: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
The risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Fuel system

21V907000Nov 19, 202150,404 vehicles affected

The problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon, 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV, and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV diesel vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold.
The risk: A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755. Vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on January 18, 2022. The remedy is expected to be available in June 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 6, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Fuel system: fuel pump

21V586000Jul 29, 202111,216 vehicles affected

The problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, X5 xDrive35d, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, and 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 14, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine and engine cooling: gas recirculation valve (egr valve)

18V755000Oct 25, 201844,368 vehicles affected

The problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d and 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. If the EGR cooler leaks internally, the coolant can mix with diesel engine soot. The high EGR temperatures may result in these particles possibly smoldering and melting the intake manifold.
The risk: The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the EGR cooler as necessary. If a leak has already occurred, the engine intake manifold will also be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Electrical system: wiring

16V919000Dec 21, 20168 vehicles affected

The problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 X5 xDrive40e vehicles manufactured July 29, 2015, to September 9, 2015. The affected vehicles have a Digital Motor Electronic (DME) control unit that may have a loose electrical ground cable, possibly causing an under-voltage condition which would result in the transmission shifting to neutral.
The risk: If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the ground cable, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

What owners say

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No complaints about the 2016 BMW X5 yet

No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.

BMW X5: every year compared

'99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 0'16 '17 '18 '19 '20 '21 '22 '23 '24 '25

Year	Recalls	Top problem	Grade
2020	11	-	D
2019	13	-	D
2018	6	-	C
2017	7	-	C
2016	6	-	B
2015	6	-	B
2014	8	-	C
2013	6	-	B
2012	10	-	C

All X5 years

2016 BMW X5 vs rivals

Vehicle	Complaints	Recalls	Crashes	Grade
2016 BMW X5	0	6	0	B
2016 Acura MDX	378	7	10	D	Compare
2016 Acura RDX	41	2	3	B	Compare
2016 Infiniti QX60	29	1	3	B	Compare
2016 Porsche Macan	0	1	0	A	Compare
2016 Porsche Cayenne	0	2	0	A	Compare
2016 Land Rover Range Rover	0	13	0	C	Compare
2016 Land Rover Range Rover Sport	0	11	0	B	Compare
2016 Audi Q5	0	5	0	B	Compare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

Questions about the 2016 BMW X5

Does the 2016 BMW X5 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2016 BMW X5: connectors / plugs / receptacles (November 2026); pump (August 2024); fuel system, diesel (November 2021); fuel pump (July 2021) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

How many complaints has the 2016 BMW X5 had?

None have been filed with NHTSA so far.

Is the 2016 BMW X5 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 61 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical BMW X5 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

What should I do if my 2016 BMW X5 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked 4 hours ago. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data