What 149 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 BMW X5 Sdrive35i

I drive a 2015 BMW X5. While driving on a local street, I heard a severe banging noise underneath the car. I pulled over, and it turned out the front driveshaft had broken, striking the transmission pan and other parts beneath. When I towed the car to the shop the mechanic also found that an AC drain line dripped onto the driveshaft U-joint, causing rust over time, which led to this failure. There were no warning lights prior. If this had happened on the highway, it could have caused far greater damage--potentially to the transmission, transfer case, front differential, or even the engine. This was a serious safety risk, and I urge the NHTSA to investigate this design flaw and consider a recall on affected models before others suffer similar damage.

NHTSA ODI 11745798

My prop shaft has prematurely failed due to the air conditioner drain line outlet directing water on to the prop shaft u joints. This is a recall issue on previous model BMW X5 and obviously a continuing issue on this generation (f15) as well.

NHTSA ODI 11626959

Front drive shaft came apart at highway speed-70mph, tearing up oil pan transmission cooler.

NHTSA ODI 11624160

While driving at average residential speed, heard a "chopper" like sound coming from the driver side wheel area. There was no indication in the vehicle for any issue (no check engine light or warnings). I pulled over and checked all tires for flat/low air, and all looked good. I drove less than a mile, and the sound got louder, and then I heard a thump. I pulled the car over and looked underneath, and the driveshaft broke and lodged out of the bottom guard. Looked at previous X5 models and it seems like there was a similar compliant resulting to a recall. The service technician informed me that these types of premature failures can be life-threatening as you can lose control of the vehicle (especially at highway speed), and even worse, the driveshaft can lodge at the footwell, ripping into the car.

NHTSA ODI 11573204

The fuel pump catastrophically failed and caused the vehicle to suddenly break down (engine stall) while driving 65 mph on the freeway. There is metal in the system according to the mechanic. Numerous parts will need to be replaced and in essence the car no longer has value because of the number and severity of issues experienced. Mileage is 160,000. I see that two recalls have been put forth for similar issues for BMW X5’s produced around the same time as mine (Campaign IDs 21V586000 and 21V907000) but the recalls for some reason don’t cover my specific VIN. I think the recalls should also cover my VIN.

NHTSA ODI 11559595

so i was driving at 70 mph on the highway and my front wheel driveshaft broke and hit the transmission with a potential chance to have and accident, i was researching and bmw x5 have a recall of those shaft up to 2013 and if i don't mistaking same part number as mine.

NHTSA ODI 11527953

While driving at 65 mph a faint whirring noise could be heard. Then without warning a loud bang was heard and felt under driver’s seat. Transmission showed neutral and abs, parking brake, and drive train warnings showed on dash. I was able to coast to right shoulder and stop. Looking under vehicle, I could see front driveshaft hanging down and oil leaking out of transfer case.

NHTSA ODI 11505500

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was notified of the recall notice and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and the contact was informed that the parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distributions disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11504386

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and slightly turning the steering wheel, the vehicle would emit abnormal grinding sounds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also taken to a local dealer which diagnosed the failure to be strut bearing fault. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 01V195000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and NHTSA Campaign Number 00V010000 (Steering) and NHTSA Campaign Number 01V196000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.

NHTSA ODI 11465968

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 65 MPH, the front driveshaft detached and damaged the transmission. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The dealer stated that the U-joint had dislodged and caused the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11461101

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE U JOINT BROKE OFF. THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON 2011-2014 OF THE SAME VEHICLE. I FIND IT INTERESTING BECAUSE, MY VEHICLE WAS MADE IN 2014 BUT THEY ARE CALLING IT A 2015 VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11419984

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO HESITATE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MELBOURNE BMW (1432 S HARBOR CITY BLVD, MELBOURNE, FL 32901; (321) 727-3788) AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,600.

NHTSA ODI 11383794

THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN PARK, AND/OR SHOULD HAVE SHIFTED TO PARK WHEN IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11337222