The Lemon Index2009 BMW X5.
The 2009 BMW X5 has too few complaints to score: 9 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about fuel system, gasoline, it has 16 recalls, and it gets 16 to 22 mpg combined. The best BMW X5 year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 157 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every BMW X5 year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 62K to 119K miles on the car (97 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 71K–121K miles
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 70K–120K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 68K–119K miles
Recalls 16
- engine 2022
An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
- airbags 2020
These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and hig.
- airbags 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 16 recalls
- airbags 2019
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
- engine 2018
The engine idler pulley bolt may loosen over time and break.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- engine 2017
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- fuel system, gasoline 2016
The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimpe.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- fuel system, diesel 2013
The fuel filter heater, which is used for warming up the diesel fuel during vehicle operation at low outside temperatures, could experience an electrical overload condition and become permanently activated.
- brakes 2013
The brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil into the hose.
- steering 2012
The engine belt idler pulley bolt could loosen and break over time.
- fuel system, diesel 2011
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 X5 XDRIVE35D VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DIESEL ENGINE AND MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 1, 2008, THROUGH JUNE 12, 2009.
- brakes 2009
BMW IS RECALLING MY 2009 X5 AND X6 VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems BMW told dealers about
BMW sent dealers 274 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Edk throttle potentiometer faults-diagnosis
- Driveability complaints due to cooling fan relay failure
- Electronic malfunction cc message caused by shorted wiring
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedIdler pulley bolt failure2018
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4300–5000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Fuel gauge does not indicate at full capacity when filled.
2009 BMW X5 owner · NHTSA complaint 10295830
Quick answers
Is the 2009 BMW X5 reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 9 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 BMW X5 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, gasoline (22%), engine (22%) and doors, locks & latches (22%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 BMW X5 have?
16 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 BMW X5 get?
16 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 BMW X5 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 62,500 and 119,500 miles. The middle report was at 81,000 miles, from 97 complaints.
Does the 2009 BMW X5 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 BMW X5 cost in fuel a year?
About $4300 to $5000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 BMW X5 have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl.
What BMW X5 year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2016 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works