The Lemon Index2010 BMW X5.
The 2010 BMW X5 is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 11 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 28, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 19 recalls, and it gets 14 to 22 mpg combined. It's the best BMW X5 year we track.
One of the most reliable. 3.6× fewer complaints than average.
Worst year 2001
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 143 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every BMW X5 year. 2010 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 48K to 101K miles on the car (92 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 48K–99K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 25K–105K miles
Recalls 19
- engine 2023
The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.
- 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.
Show all 19 recalls
- airbags 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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.
- engine 2018
If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
- 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.
- 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.
- engine 2014
In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing f.
- 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.
- engine 2011
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 7-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 X5 SAV, AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 X6 SAV VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-C…
- lights 2010
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 X5 M SAV VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT," THESE VEHICL…
- visibility 2010
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 X5 AND X6 SPORT ACTIVITY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 14, 2009 AND DECEMBER 16, 2009.
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 312 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Various electrical problems are possible on the vehicle: warning lamps illuminated
- Edk throttle potentiometer faults-diagnosis
- Driveability complaints due to cooling fan relay failure
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 $4300–5700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Vehicle reports high battery drain message and sos malfunction error messages. Bmw not able to correct.
2010 BMW X5 owner · NHTSA complaint 10428921
Quick answers
Is the 2010 BMW X5 reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 3.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 28; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2010 BMW X5 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (45%), engine (27%) and seat belts (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 BMW X5 have?
19 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 2010 BMW X5 get?
14 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2010 BMW X5 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 48,000 and 101,200 miles. The middle report was at 67,500 miles, from 92 complaints.
Does the 2010 BMW X5 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2010 BMW X5 cost in fuel a year?
About $4300 to $5700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 BMW X5 have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl.
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