The Lemon IndexBMW X5.
The best BMW X5 years are 2010, 2016, 2015. Years to avoid: 2001. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 54, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2000 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2010.
Quick answers.
Is the BMW X5 a good car?
Yes, it draws fewer complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 54; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2010 and the worst is 2001.
What are the best BMW X5 years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2010, 2016, 2015.
What BMW X5 years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2001.
How many recalls does the BMW X5 have?
194 safety recalls across the 25 model years we track. Most: 2010 (19), 2009 (16), 2011 (15). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common BMW X5 problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, electrical and transmission & drivetrain most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | – | too few complaints to score | 14 | service brakes, hydraulic (21%) | 6 | — | 14 |
| 2001 | 142 | 1.4× the average car's complaints | 61 | engine (30%) | 12 | — | 14–16 |
| 2002 | 64 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 28 | visibility (25%) | 3 | — | 13–16 |
| 2003 | – | too few complaints to score | 18 | engine (28%) | 3 | — | 14–16 |
| 2004 | – | too few complaints to score | 6 | transmission & drivetrain (33%) | 4 | — | 16 |
| 2005 | – | too few complaints to score | 4 | transmission & drivetrain (25%) | 3 | — | 16 |
| 2006 | – | too few complaints to score | 12 | airbags (25%) | 2 | — | 16 |
| 2007 | – | too few complaints to score | 10 | transmission & drivetrain (30%) | 13 | — | 16–18 |
| 2008 | – | too few complaints to score | 19 | transmission & drivetrain (37%) | 10 | — | 16–18 |
| 2009 | – | too few complaints to score | 9 | fuel system, gasoline (22%) | 16 | — | 16–22 |
| 2010 | 28 | 3.6× fewer complaints than average | 11 | electrical (45%) | 19 | — | 14–22 |
| 2011 | 95 | about average | 45 | engine (40%) | 15 | — | 14–22 |
| 2012 | 81 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 39 | engine (36%) | 10 | — | 14–21 |
| 2013 | 58 | 1.7× fewer complaints than average | 30 | airbags (53%) | 6 | ★★★★☆ | 14–22 |
| 2014 | 60 | 1.7× fewer complaints than average | 31 | body structure (32%) | 8 | — | 17–26 |
| 2015 | 37 | 2.7× fewer complaints than average | 20 | airbags (35%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 16–27 |
| 2016 | 32 | 3.1× fewer complaints than average | 16 | body structure (12%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 16–25 |
| 2017 | 50 | 2× fewer complaints than average | 27 | transmission & drivetrain (19%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 16–25 |
| 2018 | 40 | 2.5× fewer complaints than average | 19 | fuel or EV drive system (21%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 16–25 |
| 2019 | 74 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 41 | steering (34%) | 13 | ★★★★☆ | 19–22 |
| 2020 | 40 | 2.5× fewer complaints than average | 19 | electrical (26%) | 11 | ★★★★☆ | 15–23 |
| 2022 | 46 | 2.2× fewer complaints than average | 46 | transmission & drivetrain (24%) | 1 | ★★★★☆ | 15–23 |
| 2023 | 35 | 2.9× fewer complaints than average | 33 | transmission & drivetrain (24%) | 4 | ★★★★☆ | 15–23 |
| 2024 | 232 | 2.3× the average car's complaints | 145 | stability control (39%) | 8 | ★★★★☆ | 15–25 |
| 2025 | 136 | 1.4× the average car's complaints | 63 | stability control (29%) | 5 | ★★★★☆ | 15–25 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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