Is the 2009 BMW X5 a bad year?
157 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other X5 years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2009 BMW X5 are in line with other X5 years. Fuel system and air bags stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2009 X5 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 92,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 52 (33%) | 65k–120k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 48 (31%) | 69k–113k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 39 (25%) | 67k–120k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 18 (11%) | 47k–110k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 13 (8%) | 62k–101k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 10 (6%) | 41k–94k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Seats | 9 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 92,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 157 complaints: 3 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 2 report an injury · 5 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jun 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I own a 2009 BMW X5 diesel. BMW has recognized an issue with a sensor in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) active tank.
I bought my 2009 BMW X5 vehicle in june 2018, with approximately 61,630 miles and a limited warranty with 'power train coverage', which included 'engine, transmission, front wheel drive, and rear wheel drive'.
On oct 1/2008 there was a bolettin saying that waterpump and thermostat were defected. But bwm is just replacing the ones under diesel fuel.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 92,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2009 BMW X5: 16
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit. 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.
These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The engine idler pulley bolt may loosen over time and break. If the idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit. An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts. The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. 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.
The fuel filter heater, which is used for warming up the diesel fuel during vehicle operation at low outside temperatures, could experience an electrical overload condition and become permanently activated. The fuel filter heater could remain activated even when the ignition is off and lead to a dead battery. The unit could also overheat, possibly resulting in a vehicle fire.
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. The loss of power assist in braking could increase stopping distance and lead to a vehicle crash.
The engine belt idler pulley bolt could loosen and break over time. If the engine belt idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fuel filter heater, which is used for warming up the diesel fuel during vehicle operation at low outside temperatures, could experience an electrical overload condition and become permanently activated. The fuel filter heater could remain activated even when the ignition is off and lead to a dead battery. The unit could also overheat, possibly leading to a vehicle fire.
The rear brake discs may not have been manufactured according to specifications. As a result, a reduction in braking performance at the affected rear wheel could occur. In an extreme case, the affected rear brake disc could break resulting in a loss of braking at that wheel increasing stopping distances and the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from BMW: 213
Repair instructions BMW sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2009 BMW X5. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Coolant is leaking from under the car which is equipped with the S63 engine
Power Reduction, FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The - Service Engine Soon
65279;Power Reduction, FC 2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC 2A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Faults are Stored in DME
N63 Engine: Oil Consumption and/or Rough Running Complaints
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Idler Pulley Bolt Failure
Neighbouring years
2008 X5: 235 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2010 X5: 143 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every BMW X5 year
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Questions
Is the 2009 BMW X5 a bad year?
157 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other X5 years. At 92,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW X5?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (52), air bags (48), engine (39), electrical system (18), brakes (13).
How many recalls does the 2009 BMW X5 have?
16 recall campaigns list this model year: Exhaust (NHTSA 22V-119), Air bags (NHTSA 20V-017), Air bags (NHTSA 20V-016), Air bags (NHTSA 19V-017) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.