BMW X5 Engine Problems
2016 BMW X5 by Vauxford — CC BY-SA 4.0
BMW’s mid-size luxury crossover SUV, the X5, was actually the company’s first SUV and still one of the most reliable on the market. The X5’s on-road capabilities are so robust that BMW actually refers to this vehicle as a Sports Activity Vehicle rather than an SUV.
In order to ensure you get to enjoy these features to their fullest, it’s important that you keep aware of the following problems that CoPilot has found certain models suffer from!
The most common problems with BMW X5 & costs to fix
These are the most common problems reported by owners on platforms such as carproblems.com, carcomplaints.com, and Car Talk Community.
- Stalled while driving. Cost to fix: $7,000
- Oil leaks. Cost to fix: $1,500
- Transmission malfunction. Cost to fix: $5,500
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BMW X5: Stalled while driving
Cost to fix: $7,000
The most common complaints about BMW X5s have been engines stalling out or dying while driving. This occurrence is usually preceded by a sign like the engine loudly rattling or the car’s performance deteriorating rapidly. Harsh and loud noises are concerning and mean you should get your X5 checked out by a professional.
Further symptoms are the check engine light appearing, shaking while idling, or acceleration happening at a much lower speed than before. In a few cases, the car has shut down shortly after the check engine light has come on, with no other symptoms present, so it’s particularly important with this vehicle that you get that checked out right away. It could present a dangerous situation for you and your passengers if the engine dies on a busy road.
Unfortunately, if your SUV does suffer from its engine dying, it likely means that you will have to replace the whole engine. Some X5s have even had engine failure on the road with no discernible issue once taken to a mechanic, so total engine replacement is a real possibility. This could cost up to $7,000, so do everything you can before buying to inspect the car and look out for any red flags.
Problem two: Oil leaks
Cost to fix: $1,500
It’s not uncommon for BMW X5s to experience oil leaks. You can tell if your SUV has an oil leak because there will be small pools of oil or oil stains on the ground under the engine. Other symptoms include blue smoke emerging from the hood and a nasty burning smell arising when the engine runs. It’s also possible to check this yourself by using a dipstick to measure your X5’s oil level. If the level is below the minimum mark on the dipstick, that’s another sign that you may have an oil leak.
Oil leaks are usually caused by wear and tear on your engine gaskets, degraded seals, a missing or defective drain plug for the oil pan, or broken valve cover gaskets. Regardless of the cause, you’ll probably have to take it to a mechanic for repairs.
It’s vital that you have your oil leak fixed because it represents an environmental hazard and a safety hazard. Not only does oil contain harmful contaminants that negatively affect the environment when it leaks, it can also damage your engine and allow for a fire to potentially start. Depending on the origin of the problem, it could run you up to $1,500.
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Another common problem with BMW X5: Transmission malfunction
Cost to fix: $5,500
Though not widespread, a few BMW X5s have had trouble with malfunctioning transmissions. Your transmission is essential because it transfers the engine’s rotation to the wheels, which allows the car to accelerate and move. There are multiple signs that your transmission is failing or is about to fail.
A major one has to do with the smoothness you experience when shifting gears. If it’s difficult or rough to shift, or your transmission slips unexpectedly without your input, something is wrong and you should get your transmission checked out right away. Leaking transmission fluid is also a huge red flag.
Look underneath your car for any pools of dark red liquid that may have built up. Another telltale sign of transmission failure is a loud, clunking noise coming from your car. If you experience any of these symptoms, take your car into the shop as soon as possible so that you can avoid having an accident.
Transmission failure is an extremely serious problem that will likely require a total transmission replacement. It is of the utmost importance that your transmission works completely at every step. Unfortunately, due to the complexity of the unit, it will cost around $5,500 to have your X5’s transmission replaced.
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How to avoid buying an unreliable used BMW X5
We want to make sure that you wind up with the right used BMW X5 for you, and not one that will cause trouble. There are a few things you can do during a test drive to make sure the X5 you’re looking at doesn’t have the engine and transmission problems we’ve talked about.
As you drive, listen to the sounds the car makes. Be wary of any strange smells or changes in the car’s performance. Also, look out for any strange noises, such as a whining sound, and make sure to check the transmission for any fluid leakage.
Notice how the car drives and whether the gears shift smoothly. Even if all of this looks good, you should always have a local mechanic check a used vehicle before you purchase it, and get a pre-purchase inspection as well.
The easiest way to find reliable BMW X5s in your area
The easiest way to find reliable BMW X5s in your area is certainly by downloading the free CoPIlot car shopping app. We’ll search every dealership in your area to create a personalized list of the best crossover SUVs near you. CoPilot is built using the same technology that car dealerships use to buy and sell their inventory, making it the smartest and easiest way to buy a used BMW X5.
Try CoPilot Compare, the search engine for nearly-new cars if you’re interested in newer, off-lease cars. We’ll only show you models that are 5 years or newer with low mileage, most with CPO availability, and break down how much you save buying used with the best nearly-new listings in your area.
Not convinced yet? CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, meaning there are no ‘promoted’ or ‘sponsored’ listings - just the best cars in your area! Learn more about how CoPilot works on our About Us page.
