2016 BMW X5: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

Known problems on the 2016 BMW X5

No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.

2016 BMW X5 recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2016 BMW X5. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

• Engine & coolingFire risk

  An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

  Details 24V608000

  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.

  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 systemFire risk

  A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.

  Details 21V907000

  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.

  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.

• Engine & coolingFire risk

  The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.

  Details 18V755000

  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.

  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.

• Fuel system

  Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Details 21V586000

  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.

  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.

• Electrical

  If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

  Details 16V919000

  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.

  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.

2016 BMW X5 safety investigations and free repairs

Under investigation (not a recall):

• High pressure fuel pump failure since Mar 2023
• Desiccated air bag inflator rupture since Sep 2021

Ask the seller if the car has had this problem.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

• Exhaust and emissions: The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler (with EGR Valve) and the Auxiliary Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler limited warranty for defects in…
• Heat and A/C: The electric auxiliary heater assembly limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date
• Battery: The High-Voltage (HV) Battery Assemblys Cell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC repair kit-specific) limited warranty for defects in materials…
• Warranty extension: For the eligible vehicles with the Electrical Machine Electronics (EME) wiring harness connector (A190*1B), BMW of North America (BMW NA) is…
• Engine: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSIONTO 10 YEARS/120000 MILES: This Service Information Bulletin replaces SI B01 05 18 dated July 2019.

2 more in the full VIN report.

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2016 BMW X5 safety and fuel

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

73 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, about average.

Other BMW X5 years

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024