2009 BMW X5 Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

12 safety recalls on file

The 2009 BMW X5 has 12 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.

Owners have filed 138 complaints with NHTSA, including 3 crashes, 8 fires, 3 injuries.

The most-reported problem area is Air Bags (45 reports).

12Recalls
138Owner complaints
3Crashes reported
n/aNHTSA safety rating
Is the repair still open on your X5?

A recall covers specific vehicles. Your VIN shows whether yours still needs the free repair.

2009 BMW X5 recalls

Passenger air bag may explode and spray metal fragments

Recall 20V016Jan 15, 20204,007 vehicles affected

The passenger frontal air bag inflator in these BMW vehicles uses a propellant that can degrade over time after long exposure to high humidity, high temperatures, and repeated temperature changes.

Driver Airbag Inflator May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments

Recall 20V017Jan 15, 202059,965 vehicles affected

The driver-side frontal airbag inflator in certain vehicles contains an ammonium nitrate propellant that was not properly dried.

Passenger airbag may explode and spray metal shrapnel

Recall 19V017Jan 14, 201983,016 vehicles affected

The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator in certain BMW X5 and X6 vehicles can degrade over time from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.

Loose Engine Pulley Bolt Can Cause Sudden Steering Loss

Recall 18V336May 23, 201833,214 vehicles affected

The engine idler pulley bolt on certain diesel X5 vehicles can loosen over time and break.

Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments

Recall 18V030Jan 9, 201841,808 vehicles affected

Certain BMW X5 and X6 vehicles from 2007 through 2013 have a passenger frontal airbag inflator that can degrade over time from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.

PCV Valve Heater Can Short and Cause a Fire

Recall 17V683Oct 30, 2017740,561 vehicles affected

The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Passenger Air Bag May Rupture and Spray Metal Fragments

Recall 17V020Jan 10, 201748,951 vehicles affected

The front passenger air bag inflator in these BMW X5 and X6 vehicles can rupture if the air bag deploys in a crash.

Fuel Pump Wires Can Melt, Causing Leaks or Stalls

Recall 16V746Oct 17, 2016136,188 vehicles affected

Some vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps with wire contacts that may not be crimped tightly enough.

Passenger airbag may rupture in a crash, risking injury

Recall 16V364May 25, 201697,738 vehicles affected

The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator in certain BMW X5 and X6 vehicles may rupture when the airbags deploy in a crash.

Fuel System, Diesel: Pre-Heater

Recall 13V339Aug 7, 20131,540 vehicles affected

Fuel System, Diesel: Pre-Heater

Recall 11V441Aug 19, 20112,120 vehicles affected

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc

Recall 09V255Jul 8, 200996 vehicles affected

Most common 2009 BMW X5 problems

Problem areas named in the 138 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem areaReports
Air Bags45
Fuel/Propulsion System37
Engine30
Electrical System16
Power Train10
Service Brakes9
Unknown Or Other9
Seats9
Fuel System, Gasoline6
Engine And Engine Cooling6

What owners report

2025-06-20, Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2009 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the engine seized. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was a certified BMW mechanic, where it was diagnosed with VANOS bolts failure. The contact was informed that the VANOS bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. In addition, the contact stated that the dealer confirmed the failure and decl
2025-03-03, Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2009 BMW X5. The contact stated that after pulling into a parking space there was white smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle and the engine started overheating. The contact added coolant immediately. There were no warning lights illuminated. The failure had occurred twice. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the water pump, thermostat, and heater hoses had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the coolant had leaked out and the engine started overheating. The contact added more coolant to the coolant reservoir; however, the failure recurred 20 miles later. After parking the vehicle,
2025-01-08, Air Bags
Front Passenger occupant seat sensor failure warning code oc3
2024-07-15, Electrical System
Crank no start scanner saying it is in 3rd gear not park.
2023-06-07, Fuel System, Gasoline
The contact’s son owns a 2009 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to veer the vehicle off the road. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump module failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was then informed by the mechanic of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V746000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was included in the NHTSA Campaign Number 16V746000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where the contact was informed that the VIN was included NHTSA C

2009 BMW X5 questions

Does the 2009 BMW X5 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls for the 2009 BMW X5: Passenger air bag may explode and spray metal fragments; Driver Airbag Inflator May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments; Passenger airbag may explode and spray metal shrapnel; Loose Engine Pulley Bolt Can Cause Sudden Steering Loss; Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW X5?

Based on 138 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (45), Fuel/Propulsion System (37), Engine (30).

How do I check if a recall on my 2009 BMW X5 has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

Other BMW X5 years

Other 2009 BMW models