general problems of the 2020 BMW X5

While driving through west los angeles, the vehicle suddenly began emitting white smoke from the engine compartment. There were no prior warning lights, messages, or symptoms indicating a problem. The smoke quickly intensified and turned dark. Thick smoke filled the air, and the cockpit, with the smell of toxic fumes. I safely maneuvered to the shoulder and exited the vehicle with my passenger. Flames erupted from the front of the vehicle. We called 911, which dispatched the fire department. The lafd responded, cutting open the hood in order to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to a yard following the incident. The vehicle and its contents were declared a total loss.   bwm north America dispatched a technician to inspect the vehicle. After inspection, the manufacturer indicated that the starter was the source of the fire. At the time of the incident, the vehicle was subject to a safety recall related to the starter with no remedy available. The failure occurred without warning. Both occupants were exposed to heavy smoke.

Starter can malfunction and start fire. Unable to park in garage due to potential fire risk. BMW is aware of the problem. Care was serviced at BMW dealer and said that they have no remedy. This recall is over 15 months old.

My 2020 BMW X5 (VIN available upon request) is subject to safety recall 25v-644 due to a fire risk. The recall has been open since November 2025. BMW has confirmed there was no available remedy for an extended period, and a BMW-coordinated service visit on January 15, 2026 could not be completed due to dealership issues. Despite repeated follow-ups with BMW north America, there has been no confirmed repair date and no consistent transportation support while the safety recall remains unresolved. I am concerned about the prolonged delay in addressing this safety issue.

I was having intermittent starting issues. After a starter recall was done, things got worse. Idrive will not turn off and car wont start draining battery. Battery was replaced and car still having idrive and start issues. It would not start after being hot. I was told extended warranty is not covered and that the center console was the problem after diagnostic. They want approximately $3000 to repair. The car will not start at all and the idrive will not shut off. They said it will continue until repaired.

When it rains water comes into the drivers side from the roof (sun visor area), and under the dashboard. Depending on how much rain, it leaves a puddle on the floor mat, and constantly drips on the driver as I drive.

I own a 2020 bmx X5 s40i. Car was parked and turned off. When I tried to turn the car on, the car refused to start and smoke and fire smell started coming from engine compartment. I opened the hood and could smell a burning smell. Waited for smell to disappear and tried starting the car again. Car would not start and burning smell appeared again. Got a warning on the dashboard that engine compartment was overheated and car would be ready to start after 180 seconds. Called aaa to jump start car and same behaviour was observed and car refused to start. Technician also stated that battery was completely dead. Took car to dealer and replaced main and start/ stop battery. Car still would not start. On inspection dealer observed started mechanism was shorted and needed to be replaced. After replacement, car starts fine without burning smell. Going through recall database, this issue with fire hazard from starter assembly is documented for my make, model and year but when I enter the VIN number it doesnt apply to NY vehicle VIN number. 4 year old child and me were occupants of the vehicle when burning incident happened originally.

A few months ago there was a recall on my car (some problem with starter engine) and after few month I started the engine by pressing the brake pedal and pressing the start button. But the engine did not start, I saw smoke from under the hood, then I opened the hood and saw fire near the engine on the right (driver's) side. People in the parking lot helped put out the fire with a fire extinguisher while I called 911 for fire department, they came and recorded it (fire slip -[xxx]), [xxx}. , houston, texas, 77043 (place where it happened). I have pictures and videos this incident. We were afraid that we would die in this car. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

While parking the vehicle in a head-on parking spot, the car suddenly accelerated without warning and hit a wall. The car then went into reverse and sped up rapidly until it hit a concrete patio on the other side of the parking lot. The brake pedal was depressed with substantial force the entire time the vehicle was moving but the vehicle would not stop moving. The brakes did not engage. I do not recall how the car went from drive to reverse. Fortunately, there were no people or cars in the parking lot at the time of the incident. The auto body shop that currently has possession of the vehicle could not find anything wrong with the computer/electrical systems in the vehicle nor were they able to recreate the incident. I do not know how thorough they looked for problems. BMW has been notified and hopefully they will send a crew to investigate. The car is currently at the auto body shop but my insurance gompany, geico, will have the car towed to one of their facilities in a couple of days. The car has been deemed a total loss due to all of the damage. I have been having electronics issues with the car since purchase in June 2020, however, they have been related to the entertainment and communication systems. In hindsight, I realize that I had two other instances in the past with sudden acceleration with this car. I thought nothing of it at the time but they may be related to this latest incident.

Squeaking and grinding in steering column, overheated steering column to the touch. Took to local BMW and was informed it was an issue with steering rack (after two visits there) and part has to be ordered and replaced.