Home · 2015 BMW X5 Xdrive35d · Complaints

What 149 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 BMW X5 Xdrive35d

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (149)Crash / fire / injury (12)Engine (42)Fuel system (30)Fuel System, Diesel (19)Airbags (14)Transmission & drivetrain (13)Electrical system (12)Engine & cooling (8)Steering (7)Body & structure (6)Seat belts (6)

8 of 149 complaints match · Engine & cooling · clear filters

Jun 17, 2025Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the EGR module and cooler were malfunctioning and needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V755000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure and was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

NHTSA ODI 11667370

Feb 6, 2025Engine & coolingElectrical system

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that the water pump remained running while the vehicle was turned off, causing the battery to drain. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the thermostat, hoses, and water pump were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted with the water pump continuously running while the vehicle was turned off. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 11641132

Feb 3, 2025Electrical systemEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing battery drainage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the battery was replaced twice; however, the failure persisted. The dealer informed the contact that the auxiliary water pump was continuously running after turning off the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with parasitic battery draw due to the auxiliary water pump malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

NHTSA ODI 11640470

Jan 9, 2025Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle began to lose automotive power and reduced speeds and smoke was present coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was driven to the home and while parked in the garage the temperature gauge indicated that the engine temperature was extremely hot. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the coolant pump and coolant pump connector was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 151,000.

NHTSA ODI 11635023

Mar 27, 2023Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel); however, after the recall repair was performed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the auxiliary exhaust cooler flap was broken and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

NHTSA ODI 11514043

Feb 13, 2023Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, there was an erroneous message indicating the wrong fluid and that the vehicle had 200 miles before service was needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the SCR system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not covered because the failure was not under recall. The failure mileage was 111,043.

NHTSA ODI 11507029

Feb 8, 2022Engine & coolingFuel System, Diesel

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact initially received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V755000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact then stated that the DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the engine control module was defective. The contact linked the defective engine to the recall. Once the parts for the recall remedy became available, it was determined that the repair was defective and a second recall was issued under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11451037

Aug 30, 2021Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact was alerted by his daughter, who was in another vehicle, that there was smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact attempted to notify the dealer but was not able to speak to someone regarding the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11431043

Working with the data? Download all 149 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 28, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2015 BMW X5 Xdrive35d verdict →