What 98 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 BMW X5

My 2020 BMW X5 is having the same issues as SIB651222 based on the extensive troubleshooting that I have done with the telematics system. ALL of the exact symptoms can be found in this YouTube video for an X7: [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11587909

I was parking the car in a parking lot. I had my foot completely off of the gas pedal while allowing the car to roll forward into a parking spot. The car suddenly accelerates and I could not slam on the brakes fast enough to prevent damage. This was the 3rd time this type of incident occurred in this car.

NHTSA ODI 11584943

cHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND BASED ON THE CODE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ACTIVE GRILL SHUTTERS. i DID SOME RESEARCH AND SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHERE THE ACTUATOR MOTOR MAY BE THE PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI 11571168

The front headlight enclosure repeatedly fogs because moisture gets inside. It has just happened again to us. This has been widely reported by BMW owners and is a significant safety issue that BMW has not addressed. In the interest of public safety BMW should recall and replace whatever defective parts cause the problem.

NHTSA ODI 11565451

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X5. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the active air flap controller. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 45,000.

NHTSA ODI 11556127

Rear restraint system malfunction. BMW states it’s a faulty airbag that is not under warranty. Car has never been in an accident and only 4 years old so there should not have been any issues. It is a safety issue for passengers.

NHTSA ODI 11551427

I was driving in the rain and I experienced an issue with a vehicle’s automatic safety systems that are designed to aid you from crashing and it would have been the proximate cause of my fatal accident had I not realized what was happening and stopped the system’s actions. The system kicked in when I touched the rumble strip with my front left tire but I brought it back before the system could because it detected the event and created a countering event to correct my mistake, hence begins the issue. When the car veered right it didn’t need to so I had to counter that movement to keep from hitting the car next to me. The car then detected this and created another event that I again corrected before the system could. This created a situation now where the systems working together were creating events to correct events it didn’t need to do because the systems when working together now had a response time to real world events slower than mine and it couldn’t stop itself from doing this solely due to a lack of processing power. In less than 2 seconds I went from driving straight to fighting a car that put me into a horizontal “death wobble” that would have caused my car to spin either clockwise or counterclockwise at some point had I panicked and slammed on the brakes, which is what most people would have done in this situation, but I knew better. I realized what was happening immediately and I stopped it by simply keeping the steering wheel centered straight ahead forcefully until the safety systems caught up and cleared all the events. I am giving you the short version because the system in the first 1-2 seconds made, created, and stacked at least 5 of these events as I fought to correct them until the vehicle’s body roll and “death wobble” stopped and I was able to drive straight again. The wet roadways and rain only made it worse. This is a huge problem and may cause so many fatal accidents that I can’t even imagine, as I a retired policer this

NHTSA ODI 11550208

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X5. The contact stated that the PUSH to START button was inoperable. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the control sensor for the start button to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,800.

NHTSA ODI 11506199

I have received two malfunction alerts two months apart for both driver and passenger airbags. The first dealership reset the fault codes and the second different dealership found 4 faults and reset it as well. I learned from the second dealership that the airbag sensors sit below the cup holders, secured by a screw in each cup on the bottom base of the housing. They removed the rubber bottom portion of the cup holder and noticed there was liquid reside and the screw appeared rusted. They believe the water may have leaked through the screw and ruined the airbag sensors. If this was true, they mentioned the airbags would not work properly and I would be responsible to pay for the work performed to correct the issue since they consider this a outside influence and not covered by my warranty. I mentioned that this a a huge safety concern, a terrible design flaw, and no where in the owners manual does it warn owners of the potential safety concerns of using cup holders that seat above the airbag sensors. I contacted BMW public relations, filed a complaint, and they have heard of this complaint before and advised different safety teams would see my compliant and wait for a callback.

NHTSA ODI 11502059

BMW front cup holders have hole in bottom and it allows condensation/liquid to migrate through bottom to air bag sensor located directly underneath cup holders. Consumers are at risk of air bags going off unintentionally and/or not going off at all. Sensor should not be directly under a cup holder and/or the cup holder should not have a hole directly above safety sensor. BMW design defect. Consumers are having to pay out of pocket for sensor to be replaced as it is not covered under warranty. Additionally, there is a pending class action lawsuit that has been filed and documentation of this being a problem over several BMW models is well documented in forums, etc. on the internet.

NHTSA ODI 11496539

WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IN A HEAD-ON PARKING SPOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND HIT A WALL. THE CAR THEN WENT INTO REVERSE AND SPED UP RAPIDLY UNTIL IT HIT A CONCRETE PATIO ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PARKING LOT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITH SUBSTANTIAL FORCE THE ENTIRE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP MOVING. THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE. I DO NOT RECALL HOW THE CAR WENT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO PEOPLE OR CARS IN THE PARKING LOT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE AUTO BODY SHOP THAT CURRENTLY HAS POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE COMPUTER/ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN THE VEHICLE NOR WERE THEY ABLE TO RECREATE THE INCIDENT. I DO NOT KNOW HOW THOROUGH THEY LOOKED FOR PROBLEMS. BMW HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL SEND A CREW TO INVESTIGATE. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE AUTO BODY SHOP BUT MY INSURANCE GOMPANY, GEICO, WILL HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO ONE OF THEIR FACILITIES IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. THE CAR HAS BEEN DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO ALL OF THE DAMAGE. I HAVE BEEN HAVING ELECTRONICS ISSUES WITH THE CAR SINCE PURCHASE IN JUNE 2020, HOWEVER, THEY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE ENTERTAINMENT AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS. IN HINDSIGHT, I REALIZE THAT I HAD TWO OTHER INSTANCES IN THE PAST WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH THIS CAR. I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT AT THE TIME BUT THEY MAY BE RELATED TO THIS LATEST INCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11492772

squeaking and grinding in steering column, overheated steering column to the touch. Took to local BMW and was informed it was an issue with steering rack (after two visits there) and part has to be ordered and replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11482223

BMW states the X5 is equipped brake pad sensor and will notice driver when is needed to be replace. it doesn't work and become a safety concern. We have this X5 for about 2 years and start to hear noise when apply the brake. When the situation happens, we have never seem any alert from the car. Which our previous 2017 X5 and 440 GC provides such function. We found an opportunity to sent the vehicle to server center and asked to check what's wrong. Then, we are told that the front left brake pad against the rotor surface and has been metal to metal. We are told, if this is getting worse, the vehicle may not be able to stop safely. This is a safety issue of the 2020 X5. if I didn't ask my wife to go check the car, she might be in a car accident since she can't stop the car. Money thing is details. I provides this in order to match the file I uploaded later. We are provided detailed inspection report and asked to pay $1000+ to fix the issue (X5 Quo.pdf) Service center provides detailed report for the status of the car. (report.pdf) in the end, we were able to negotiate to buy an extension warranty($700) to cover the cost. (payment.pdf)

NHTSA ODI 11463571

Grievance/Complaint for 2020 X5 BMW Firer December 9, 2021 (49 days Owner) I was on my way to work, and I stopped at the local Bank of America drive through. While on my way, I received two (2) malfunction message saying the same thing, “ Scam Likely 1-470-781-9727; (Check Control) Vehicle key missing, Close message; Vehicle key not available or malfunctioning. Drive-ready mode cannot be started. See Driver’s Manual for further information.” (This was the message/malfunction.) I took a picture and call my salesperson, Mr. Preston at BMW of Gwinnett Place and informed him that the key was in the cup, so I tried to place it on the dashboard. I did not understand why I received a malfunction message the key missing because the car would not go anywhere without a key, however, he asked me to send the picture to him and I did. As I was getting out my X5, I began to have anxiety and became traumatized (praying, crying, yelling etc.) at this point, thinking my X5 is going to catch a fire and blow up the bank. I went into the Bank to alert them of the X5 smoking so that they can evacuate if needed. I went back to my X5 to gather as much as I could of my Christmas gifts and other Items quickly. At that time another lady was standing on the side walk and asked if she could help me removed the items from my X5.I was hysterical, and my hand was bleeding from grabbing items out the X5. My safety and others was at risk. The X5 could have been in my garage on firer and my house and family could have died and lost everything; The seat belt could have locked with me in it and I could have died. The bank ATM drive through could have blown up and all the customers could have been injured.BMW of North America insisted that I fill on my insurance because the the engineers did an observation investigation and did not see any fault of manufacture or electrical issue.The vehicle is now under the investigation of my insurance and I have not been notified of the cause at this time.

NHTSA ODI 11456527

Purchased the car Feb 2020. Over 6 months ago, back seat belts (middle and left side) stopped working. Seat belt will not click. Brand new car with nonfunctioning seat belts. Been trying to get hold of the dealer to fix and did not get anywhere. After months of hassle, they ordered the seat belts to be replaced. After dropping off the car, I get an email asking me to approve the fix for a cost of $1,100. Want to report malfunctioning unsafe car with nonworking seat belts (brand new car, a little over 1 year old) and a dealer that want to charge me for their malfunctioning seat belts. anyone that get in the car in the back is not safe. cannot use the car due to safety issues.

NHTSA ODI 11443270

My 2020 X5 is equipped with Rear Cross Traffic Warning however it does not warn when traffic is crossing. The car will be in reverse, i can be very close to either a car or a person and there are no audible or visual warnings until the object stops moving or is within inches of the vehicle. I have taken it to my dealership several times however they are stating its in full working function even though it does not do what BMW advertises how that system should work. This is both very dangerous and false advertising by BMW! I have videos to prove this claim however the upload section doesn't allow videos.

NHTSA ODI 11434061

Backing out of my garage to a street with a 25 mph speed limit, the vehicle is supposed to alert the driver with a warning sound and or brake if a vehicle is crossing behind the vehicle. This feature has never worked and the dealer can't find any problem. This condition has been report on several internet websites with no resolution.

NHTSA ODI 11426368

Automatic braking system. Traveling about 50 MPH the automatic brake activated, there was nothing even close to my vehicle, my passenger's head was jerked forward. I had the vehicle in for computer problems about two weeks ago, concerning the radio and dash board displays, not knowing about the automatic braking problem at that time, ( this is the second incident involving the automatic brake, first time I didn't think too much about it since I had just purchased the vehicle I thought maybe a new car bug ). I was told that there was no fix for the problems I took it in for , and that Germany was notified and they had no solution, when a fix was found I would be notified. Now I'm now realizing more is affected by the faulty computer system then I first thought. My main concern is getting rear ended on the highway which I travel quite often. This incident occurred Saturday evening, today I'm contacting the dealership, we will see what happens with a more serious problem.

NHTSA ODI 11418267

THE AUTO-DIMMING FEATURE OF THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL ON 2020 BMW X5 MODELS IS POORLY IMPLEMENTED, AND UNDER VARIABLE LIGHTING CONDITIONS (CLOUDY, SNOWY, SUNRISE, SUNSET), IT DIMS AT INAPPROPRIATE TIMES, SUCH AS WHEN DRIVING TOWARD THE SUN AT SUNRISE OR SUNSET. THIS MAKES THE DISPLAY EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO READ AND UNSAFE. THE AUTO-DIMMING FEATURE FOR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS ONLY APPROPRIATE UNDER NIGHT-DRIVING CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ODI 11366895

MY SAMSUNG GALAXY S9 PHONE SEEMS INCOMPATIBLE WITH MY X5. ABOUT EVERY 30 MINUTES THE NAV DISPLAY AND HALF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BLACK OUT FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS THEN RESTARTS. THIS OCCURS ON THE HIGHWAY AND IN THE CITY.

NHTSA ODI 11349724

AIR CONDITIONING QUIT WORKING ON DAY 2 OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER SAYS THE COMPRESSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THERE IS A LEAD TIME BETWEEN 2 WEEKS AND 2 MONTHS. AFTER PURCHASING A CAR THAT COST ABOUT $125,000 AND DRIVING IT ONE TIME, IT HAD TO BE SENT TO THE SHOP. SINCE IT IS SO HOT WHERE I LIVE, DRIVING THE CAR IS OUT OF THE QUESTION. BMW DID GIVE ME A LOANER CAR, BUT THE VALUE OF THE LOANER IS ABOUT 45% OF THE CAR I PURCHASED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11329328

NAVIGATION DISPLAY AND RIGHT SIDE OF INSTRUMENT PANEL GO BLANK INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN RESET AND COME BACK ON AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS. DISPLAY GOES OFF DURING PERIODS OF DRIVING AND OR STATIONARY WITH VEHICLE ENGINE RUNNING. OCCURS DURING TIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND CITY DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11324581

MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS AS A FUNCTION OF THIS DESIGN FLAW. THE FOLLOWING OCCURS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY: DURING DAYTIME DRIVING, WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT TURNED ON, THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL AND DIGITAL CONTROL PANEL DIM UNDESIRABLY, MAKING THEM DIFFICULT TO READ AND CREATING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS IS UNDESIRABLE BEHAVIOR IS MOST PREVALENT ON CLOUDY DAYS AND AT SUNRISE AND SUNSET. THE DIMMING NEEDS TO BE INACTIVE IF HEADLIGHTS ARE OFF. IF HEADLIGHTS ARE ON, IT NEEDS TO BE INACTIVE IF BRIGHT LIGHT IS DETECTED THROUGH WINDSHIELD (SUNRISE, SUNSET) -OR- IF BRIGHT LIGHT IS DETECTED INSIDE THE CABIN.

NHTSA ODI 11321779