general problems of the 2018 BMW X5

On March 9, 2026, I brought the vehicle to BMW of fairfax for a scheduled appointment. In the week leading up to the visit, the vehicle intermittently failed to start and required jump-starting using a portable battery starter. Despite this issue, the car drove normally, showed no warning lights or error messages, and had approximately 69,000 miles on the odometer at the time. After jump-starting the vehicle, I personally drove it to the dealership. I paid for a diagnostic evaluation and also authorized completion of a minor recall. Two days later, I was informed that the vehicle was no longer able to shift into gear and was now completely inoperable. I was told I would be responsible for towing the vehicle off their premises. According to the service department, the vehicle now requires replacement of the eme module, at an estimated cost of $12,000. This assessment was particularly troubling because the vehicle was fully drivable when it arrived at the dealership. At no point prior to service did the car have difficulty shifting into gear. It is deeply concerning that the vehicle became a “brick” while under the care of an authorized BMW service center, with no accountability taken for what occurred during their diagnostic process.

Vehicle: 2018 BMW X5 xdrive40e recall: NHTSA safety recall 24v-608 complaint description: my 2018 BMW X5 xdrive40e experienced a sudden electric motor electronics (eme) failure that rendered the vehicle inoperable. This occurred before the recall remedy for NHTSA safety recall 24v-608 was completed. It is available for inspection upon request. Recall 24v-608 addresses fluid intrusion into the electric coolant water pump electrical connector, which can cause electrical shorts, overcurrent conditions, and power instability. The eme is directly dependent on stable electrical conditions. After the vehicle failed, the recall repair was performed; however, completion of the recall does not reverse electrical damage that may have occurred prior to the repair. Prior to the eme failure, I made multiple attempts to have the recall addressed by contact BMW authorized dealers, but the recall condition remained unresolved. Following the failure, BMW of north America denied responsibility in writing, closed my case, and did not identify any alternative root cause or provide technical findings explaining the eme failure. The vehicle is not drivable and requires approximately $12,000 in repairs. I also incurred rental vehicle expenses as a result of BMW’s refusal to repair. This appears to be recall-related electrical damage affecting a critical control module, creating a safety concern due to sudden loss of vehicle function putting safety of myself and others at risk. I am submitting this complaint to document a safety-related electrical failure associated with recall 24v-608 and BMW of north America’s refusal to remedy the resulting damage.

The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

BMW issued a recall in October 2024 regarding the engine coolant pump electrical connector on my 2018 BMW X5 xdrive40e, warning of electrical shorts and fire risks. It's now late March 2025—approximately six later—and BMW dealerships still state explicitly they have no available remedy and no timeline for repair. Recently, my vehicle showed a drivetrain warning message, which I suspect is recall-related. I called BMW corporate recall hotline and my local BMW dealership (BMW of tenafly) today (March 24, 2025). The dealership explicitly stated that they can only perform diagnostics, and even if their diagnostics confirm my drivetrain issue is recall-related, they 'cannot do anything' due to BMW's lack of available recall remedy. When I expressed concern to BMW of tenafly representative that this recall involves serious safety risks (electrical shorts and potential fire), the dealership representative dismissed my concern by simply saying, 'every recall is urgent. ' this response underscores my concern that BMW and its dealerships are not treating this recall issue with adequate seriousness or urgency, leaving consumers like myself at ongoing safety risk. They also mentioned charging $150/day storage if I leave my vehicle at their facility beyond diagnostics, which discourages vehicle owners from having their recall-related safety issues adequately addressed. I’m escalating to NHTSA now because BMW has not provided a recall remedy within a reasonable period, and I'm concerned about ongoing safety issue.

The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the thermostat was stuck opened, causing the check engine warning light to illuminate and the transmission oil coolant heat exchanger to be damaged by the thermostat failure. The contact was advised that the thermostat and coolant pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.

The ac compressor catastrophically failed and sent metal throughout the ac system. I will have to auction the vehicle and try to get some money from the vehicle to buy another car. I doubt that I will still have the vehicle by the end of August 2024. Because my vehicle is a plug-in-hybrid and ac lines run through it, the check engine light came on because the electric drive could not function properly. It was 90+ degrees outside and thus inside the car, and a good portion of the power to drive my car wasn't available since the electrical drive was affected. The problem was diagnosed by our local BMW dealer. Their analysis is sent via video messages. While I doubt you will be allowed to view it for corporate safety standards, the url for the video they sent is [xxx] . I also saved a screen grab video but it is too large to send. Just the BMW dealership. The cost to repair is approximately $18,000. There was no warning. Shortly after the ac stopped cooling the check engine light came on and it appeared that my car stopped using the electric drive. This problem (catastrophic ac compressor failure) appears to have occurred in several other BMW models and model years. The only recommended fix is an extremely costly replacement of every ac line in the entire car system (engine, cabin, hybrid battery in my car's case). Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

While driving moderately on suburban roads, the car suddenly jerked forward and stalled, and a warning came on indicating "drive train malfunction". The message said that continuing driving was possible and to contact dealer soon at convenience. Then, 30 seconds later while still driving, the car completely died. Engine died and car began coasting. Had to coast into a parking lot where the car came to a complete stop. Tried troubleshooting and turning the engine on and off for an hour; the car would turn on for a split second, stutter and growl as if it was out of gas (it was not), and then shut off. Car had to be towed (six hours later) and is awaiting inspection at dealer. Nothing at all indicated an issue prior to this happening; in fact, the car was just serviced at the dealer literally ten days ago. Incredibly unsafe and insanely frustrating experience to have the car randomly and without warning die while traveling in traffic.

While driving noticed a burning smell (at first, I thought it was the car in front of mine) and smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. Then engine malfunctioned & reduced power light came on. Parked car and inspected the engine. Noticed strong smell of burning and found melted parts of the engine intake manifold with holes. Took photos, had vehicle towed to BMW dealership.

Need ASAP reply, hello this is the worse service I ever had to encounter March 10 2022 till present date I haven’t gotten my vehicle back from https://. . Read more...

I was driving in the number 1 lane (leftmost lane) when the dashboard display indicated there was a transmission fault and warned that I should pull over to a safe spot immediately. With the vehicle rapidly slowing, I had to maneuver through traffic to the right side of the road with great difficulty. It was very dangerous to make that maneuver with freeway traffic traveling at approximately 65 to 75 mph. The vehicle is at the BMW dealer in norwalk California and has not yet been examined for the problem. The dealer has confirmed that the engine will crank but will not start. There was no warning prior to the engine/drivetrain failure. The vehicle currently has approximately 57,000 miles on the odometer. This vehicle previously experienced a high pressure fuel pump failure at approximately 21,000 miles on the odometer. The previous failure occurred at a traffic light in town and the hazard to my safety was less severe.