Every 2016 BMW X5 recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 24V608000
Aug 13, 2024Engine and Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Pump
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 24V608000 →Fuel System, Diesel · NHTSA 21V907000
Nov 19, 2021Fuel System, Diesel
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon, 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV, and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV diesel vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold.
- Risk
- A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755. Vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on January 18, 2022. The remedy is expected to be available in June 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 6, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 21V907000 →Fuel System, Diesel · NHTSA 21V586000
Jul 29, 2021Fuel System, Diesel:Delivery:Fuel Pump
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, X5 xDrive35d, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, and 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 14, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 21V586000 →Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 18V755000
Oct 25, 2018Engine and Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d and 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. If the EGR cooler leaks internally, the coolant can mix with diesel engine soot. The high EGR temperatures may result in these particles possibly smoldering and melting the intake manifold.
- Risk
- The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the EGR cooler as necessary. If a leak has already occurred, the engine intake manifold will also be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 18V755000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 16V919000
Dec 21, 2016Electrical System:Wiring
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 X5 xDrive40e vehicles manufactured July 29, 2015, to September 9, 2015. The affected vehicles have a Digital Motor Electronic (DME) control unit that may have a loose electrical ground cable, possibly causing an under-voltage condition which would result in the transmission shifting to neutral.
- Risk
- If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the ground cable, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 16V919000 →
2016 BMW X5 complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 74 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 BMW X5, reporting 3 crashes, 2 injuries. BMW has issued at least 364 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Electrical System23
- Engine14
- Unknown Or Other14
- Power Train13
- Fuel/Propulsion System9
- Engine and Engine Cooling7
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (126)
- Equipment (114)
- Engine (40)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (35)
- Power Train (21)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (18)
Read BMW X5 owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2016 BMW X5
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 3 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
What people reported
Owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 BMW X5. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reportedCrash
“During a recent auto collision my airbags did not deploy. I swerved to avoid another vehicle entering the intersection from my left, he hit my rear left driver's side quarter panel and I subsequently hit a tree.”
2016 BMW X5Dec 26, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11707095
Crash
“I PARKED MY X5 ON AN INCLINE, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, SET THE PARKING BREAK AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. LOCKED IT AND WENT INSIDE. THERE WERE WORKERS OUTSIDE FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE COMING IN TO THE HOUSE THAT WITNESSED IT SITTING THERE FOR THAT AMOUNT OF TIME.”
2016 BMW X5Apr 5, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11083388
Crash
“I STOPPED AT THE ENTRANCE OF AN APARTMENT COMPLEX AND WAS WAITING FOR THE SECURITY GATE TO OPEN. ONCE I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE AUTO START STOP FUNCTION TURNED THE ENGINE OFF.”
2016 BMW X5Mar 16, 2017
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10966356
“I am reporting a suspected high-pressure fuel pump safety defect involving my 2016 BMW X5 xDrive35d, VIN [XXX], with approximately 103,186 miles. The check engine light illuminated and BMW Fort Walton diagnosed failed fuel injectors and recommended injector replacement.”
2016 BMW X5Sep 10, 2026 · FL
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11763414
“The High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) on my vehicle has experienced a catastrophic premature failure for the second time, presenting a severe and immediate safety hazard.”
2016 BMW X5Sep 2, 2026 · CA
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11761597
Check your X5 by VIN
Not every 2016 BMW X5 is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any BMW dealer.
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