Representative 2012 model. Photo: Navigator84, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2010 BMW X5 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2010 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 19
Park-it warnings: 4
Complaints: 149
Latest campaign: Oct 20, 2023

Recall summary by component19

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Park‑it	Latest	Campaign IDs
Engine and engine cooling	7	–	Oct 20, 2023	23V707000 22V119000 18V336000 18V248000 17V683000 14V176000 11V521000
Air bags	6	4	Jan 15, 2020	20V016000 20V017000 19V017000 18V030000 16V364000 16V071000
Fuel system, gasoline	1	–	Oct 17, 2016	16V746000
Fuel system, diesel	1	–	Aug 7, 2013	13V339000
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	–	Feb 7, 2013	13V045000
Steering	1	–	Nov 27, 2012	12V550000
Exterior lighting	1	–	Apr 15, 2010	10V152000
Visibility	1	–	Jan 28, 2010	10V025000

Safety recalls19

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

4Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Oct 20, 2023Latest campaign


Oct 20, 202323V707000	Engine and engine cooling: engine Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 23V707000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break. Risk Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under X5 Campaign NHTSA 23V707000 · Oct 20, 2023
Mar 2, 202222V119000	Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system emission control 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 22V119000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit. Risk 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. Remedy This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under X5 Sav Campaign NHTSA 22V119000 · Mar 2, 2022
Jan 15, 202020V016000	Air bags: frontal passenger side An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 20V016000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2012 X5 xDrive35d, 2008-2012 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2007-2012 X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSPI-2) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling. Risk An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Remedy Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until this remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under X5 Campaign NHTSA 20V016000 · Jan 15, 2020
Jan 15, 202020V017000	Air bags: frontal driver side An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. DetailsHide details for campaign 20V017000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling. Risk An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under X5 Campaign NHTSA 20V017000 · Jan 15, 2020
Jan 14, 201919V017000	Air bags: frontal passenger side An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 19V017000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles. 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. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. Risk An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Remedy Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under X5 Campaign NHTSA 19V017000 · Jan 14, 2019
May 23, 201818V336000	Engine and engine cooling: engine If the idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V336000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2013 X5 xDrive 35d diesel vehicles. The engine idler pulley bolt may loosen over time and break. Risk If the idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the idler pulley bolt with an improved part, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under X5 Campaign NHTSA 18V336000 · May 23, 2018

Merged from NHTSA model names: X5, X5 Sav, X5 M. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component149

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

149Complaints filed

2Involving a crash

6Involving a fire

2Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	49	33	0	2	0
Air bags	40	27	1	0	1
Electrical system	27	18	0	2	0
Fuel/propulsion system	24	16	0	1	0
Engine and engine cooling	14	9	0	0	0
Unknown or other	14	9	0	1	0
Fuel system	13	9	0	2	0
Steering	11	7	0	0	0
Power train	8	5	0	1	0
Diesel	7	5	0	1	0
Gasoline	6	4	0	1	0
Structure	4	3	1	0	1
Seat belts	4	3	0	0	0
Visibility/wiper	3	2	0	0	0
Seats	3	2	0	0	0

6 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Engine and engine cooling
“See attached document for complaint”
Filed 08/21/2026 · ODI 11758461
Engine and engine cooling
“The contact owns a 2010 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and was pulled over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated.”
Filed 07/22/2026 · ODI 11752151
Electrical system
“My husband and I brought our 2010 X5 (VIN ), mileage: to BMW of El Cajon on 09/29/2025 for a recall service.”
Filed 09/30/2025 · ODI 11690652

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2010 BMW X5 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2010 BMW X5 have?

NHTSA lists 19 safety recall campaigns for the 2010 BMW X5. The most recent, 23V707000 (reported October 20, 2023), concerns engine and engine cooling. 4 campaigns carry a park-it or park-outside warning. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2010 BMW X5 recalls for?

The largest group is engine and engine cooling, with 7 campaigns. Others: air bags (6), fuel system, gasoline (1), fuel system, diesel (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2010 BMW X5?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 49 complaints out of 149 filed with NHTSA (33%). Across all complaints, owners reported 2 crashs and 6 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2010 BMW X5?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised BMW dealer.

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