2015 BMW X5
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 51 of 151 complaints (34%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Transmission & Drivetrain include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 98 in 2014 to 151 in 2015.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | vs. 2015 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,050–4,850 | 3,450–4,550 | 3,300–4,550 | 3,250–4,550 | 3,250–4,550 | |
| Combined MPG | 16–22 | 17–26 | 17–27 | 17–25 | 17–25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 14–19 / 20–26 | 15–23 / 22–31 | 15–24 / 22–31 | 15–23 / 21–29 | 15–23 / 21–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 465–547 | 392–524 | 381–516 | 401–515 | 401–515 | |
| Complaints filed | 161 | 98 | 151 | 73 | 73 | |
| Recalls issued | 7 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 6 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 7 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 8 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 4 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2015 BMW X5 have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2015 BMW X5?
Engine: 51 of 151 NHTSA complaints (34%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2015 BMW X5 get?
EPA rates it 17–27 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 BMW X5?
EPA estimates $3,300–$4,550 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 19 mpg | 27 mpg | 22 mpg | $3,500 | 412 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 420 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S8) | 8 | 4.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $4,550 (high) | 516 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 24 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | $3,300 (low) | 381 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 51 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel System | 50 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 17 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 19 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (6)
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL · Campaign 21V907000 · Nov 19, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 21V586000 · Jul 30, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) · Campaign 18V755000 · Oct 30, 2018
Defect: 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.
Consequence: The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 16V683000 · Sep 21, 2016
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 BMW X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, X3 xDrive28d, X4 xDrive28i and X4 xDrive35i vehicles, and model year 2014-2015 X5 xDrive35i, X5 sDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, and 2014 X5 xDrive35d vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver's frontal air bag inflator that may have been improperly welded.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator housing could separate from the base plate and result in metal striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began on November 1, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
AIR BAGS · Campaign 15V147000 · Mar 13, 2015
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 BMW X5 xDrive 35d Sports Activity Vehicles (SAV) manufactured August 19, 2014, to February 16, 2015, and 2014-2015 BMW X5 xDrive 35i, X5 sDrive 35i, X5 xDrive 50i, Sports Activity Vehicles (SAV) manufactured August 28, 2013, to February 16, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Head Protection System (HPS) air bag may not be securely connected to the air bag inflator gas generator.
Consequence: Without a secure connection to the inflator, the HPS air bags may have insufficient inflation during a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Head Protection System, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
SEATS · Campaign 14V650000 · Oct 17, 2014
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 X5 vehicles manufactured September 12, 2014,to September 21, 2014 and equipped with the optional rear comfort seat. The left rear seat belt attachment point in the affected vehicles may not have been sufficiently welded.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, the seat belt attachment could break and fail to restrain a seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left rear seat frame, free of charge. The recall began November 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.