2009 BMW X5 SAV Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other X5 SAV years
- About as many complaints as other years 6th of 13 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 BMW X5 SAV. That ranks 6th out of 13 X5 SAV model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is fuel/propulsion system (10 complaints, 53%), typically at around 86,500 miles. Complaints mention 1 fire. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 19owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2009 BMW X5 SAV problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion System | 10 | 53% | 86,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 7 | 37% | 63,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 3 | 16% | 74,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 16% | 81,014 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 2 | 11% | 135,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 11% | 108,007 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 5% | 103,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 5% | 13 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 5% | 80,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2009 BMW X5 SAV recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)
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 bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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 brakes; service brakes, hydraulic:power assist
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 [email protected].
Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel; steering:hydraulic power assist system
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 [email protected].
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
- Idler Pulley Bolt Failure (RQ18001) — opened Apr 18, 2018, closed Dec 1, 2018, led to recall 18V336000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Other BMW X5 SAV years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 X5 SAV | 13 | 1 |
| 2012 X5 SAV | 21 | 4 |
| 2011 X5 SAV | 24 | 3 |
| 2010 X5 SAV | 19 | 5 |
| 2009 | 19 | 4 |
| 2008 X5 SAV | 20 | 3 |
| 2007 X5 SAV | 59 | 5 |
| 2006 X5 SAV | 27 | 0 |
| 2004 X5 SAV | 0 | 1 |
| 2003 X5 SAV | 1 | 1 |
| 2002 X5 SAV | 0 | 1 |
| 2001 X5 SAV | 0 | 1 |
| 2000 X5 SAV | 0 | 1 |
See all BMW X5 SAV problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
Similar BMW models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW X5 SAV?
Owners most often report fuel/propulsion system, air bags, engine problems. The top one, fuel/propulsion system, accounts for 10 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2009 BMW X5 SAV?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2009 BMW X5 SAV a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other X5 SAV model years, the 2009 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.