2010 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
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 BMW X5 SAV. That ranks 6th out of 13 X5 SAV model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (8 complaints, 42%), typically at around 66,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 fire. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 19owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2010 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 8 | 42% | 66,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 4 | 21% | 117,500 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 4 | 21% | 82,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 3 | 16% | 48,009 | — | — |
| Steering | 3 | 16% | 48,009 | — | — |
| Power Train | 2 | 11% | 40,850 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 5% | 66,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 5% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2010 BMW X5 SAV recalls (5)
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.
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
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.
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 .
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…
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…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 bmw x5. The contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign numbers: 16v071000 (air bags) and 16v071000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…
Takata recall as stated in the notice, "if the manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for your vehicle in a timely manner...file an online complaint with nhtsa." the recall is coming up on a one-year anniversary. Alternative transportation is not available, and now have a…
Other BMW X5 SAV years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 X5 SAV | 13 | 1 |
| 2012 X5 SAV | 21 | 4 |
| 2011 X5 SAV | 24 | 3 |
| 2010 | 19 | 5 |
| 2009 X5 SAV | 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.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2010 BMW X5 SAV?
Owners most often report engine, air bags, fuel/propulsion system problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 8 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2010 BMW X5 SAV?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2010 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 2010 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.