Representative model. Photo: Mr.choppers, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2020 BMW X5 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2020 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 11
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 113
Latest campaign: Sep 25, 2025

Recall summary by component11

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Electrical system	2	Sep 25, 2025	25V644000 24V576000
Back over prevention	2	Feb 19, 2021	21V096000 19V684000
Steering	2	Jul 28, 2020	20V434000 19V631000
Visibility	1	Apr 20, 2022	22V267000
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	Feb 10, 2021	21V062000
Suspension	1	Nov 4, 2020	20V678000
Exterior lighting	1	Sep 1, 2020	20V528000
Power train	1	Aug 7, 2020	20V465000

Safety recalls11

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Sep 25, 2025Latest campaign


Sep 25, 202525V644000	Electrical system: starter assembly An overheated starter motor can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 25V644000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 340I, X6, 2020-2025 840I, 2020-2022 740LI, 2019-2020 X7, and X5 vehicles. After repeated attempts, the starter motor may overheat from an electrical overload. Risk An overheated starter motor can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire. Remedy Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. This recall includes vehicles repaired under recall 24V576 and those owners will need to have their vehicle repaired again. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 17, 2025. Campaign NHTSA 25V644000 · Sep 25, 2025
Aug 1, 202424V576000	Electrical system: starter assembly A starter motor that overheats can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 24V576000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5, X7, 2020 3 Series Sedan, X6, 2020-2021 7 Series Sedan, 2020 8 Series Convertible, 8 Series Coupe, and 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. In the event the starter motor fails, repeated attempts to start the vehicle can cause the starter motor to overheat from an electrical overload. Risk A starter motor that overheats can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire. Remedy Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Campaign NHTSA 24V576000 · Aug 1, 2024
Apr 20, 202222V267000	Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly A sunroof that closes without the key fob present inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 22V267000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive); 2019-2022 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M; 2021-2022 X5 xdrive45e; 2020-2022 X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6M and 2019-2023 X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, X7 xDrive60i, X7 M60i, X7M, Alpina XB7 vehicles. The roof function control unit may be programmed incorrectly, allowing the sunroof to close without the key fob present inside the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems." Risk A sunroof that closes without the key fob present inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury. Remedy Dealers will reprogram the roof function control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Campaign NHTSA 22V267000 · Apr 20, 2022
Feb 19, 202121V096000	Back over prevention: sensing system camera If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 21V096000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility." Risk If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Campaign NHTSA 21V096000 · Feb 19, 2021
Feb 10, 202121V062000	Service brakes, hydraulic A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 21V062000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, and 2021 M3, M3 Competition, M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, X5 xDrive45e, 745 Le xDrive. The rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and could separate during a hard braking event, possibly resulting in a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and braking assistance. Risk A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Campaign NHTSA 21V062000 · Feb 10, 2021
Nov 4, 202020V678000	Suspension: front control arm If the weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket separates, vehicle handling and control may be affected, increasing the risk… DetailsHide details for campaign 20V678000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i and X6M vehicles and 2021 X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket may separate. Risk If the weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket separates, vehicle handling and control may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle support, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Campaign NHTSA 20V678000 · Nov 4, 2020

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).

Buying a used 2020 BMW X5? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component113

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

113Complaints filed

3Involving a crash

7Involving a fire

5Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Electrical system	39	35	0	4	0
Engine	33	29	0	4	0
Power train	17	15	1	0	0
Engine and engine cooling	15	13	0	1	0
Unknown or other	15	13	1	3	3
Service brakes	6	5	1	0	0
Air bags	6	5	1	0	2
Exterior lighting	5	4	0	0	0
Structure	4	4	0	0	0
Suspension	3	3	0	0	0
Steering	3	3	0	0	0
Seat belts	3	3	1	0	2
Visibility	2	2	0	0	0
Vehicle speed control	2	2	1	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	2	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, merged from NHTSA model names X5, X5 M.

Latest reports

Service brakes
“The contact owns a 2020 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving, the ignition switch message was displayed.”
Filed 10/01/2026 · ODI 11768373
Suspension
“I am reporting a severe structural safety failure on my 2020 BMW X5. While driving, the front suspension assembly suffered an abrupt mechanical failure.”
Filed 09/27/2026 · ODI 11767305
Engine and engine cooling
“See attached document for complaint.”
Filed 09/16/2026 · ODI 11764757

Other BMW X5 model years

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2020 BMW X5 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2020 BMW X5 have?

NHTSA lists 11 safety recall campaigns for the 2020 BMW X5. The most recent, 25V644000 (reported September 25, 2025), concerns electrical system. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2020 BMW X5 recalls for?

The largest group is electrical system, with 2 campaigns. Others: back over prevention (2), steering (2), visibility (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2020 BMW X5?

Electrical system is the most-reported component, named in 39 complaints out of 113 filed with NHTSA (35%). Across all complaints, owners reported 3 crashs and 7 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2020 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.

Check a specific BMW by VIN

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