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2007 BMW X5Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 71 owner complaints about the 2007 BMW X5, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 8 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-364 the manufacturer reports only 48% of affected cars repaired.

2007 BMW X5
67
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years52% below the X5 median · #24 of 25 years by complaints
Safety recalls8Lowest repair rate 48%Owner complaints714 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage100kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 20, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2007 BMW X5 has problems

71 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags390
Fuel/propulsion system250
Electrical system92
Service brakes92
Engine91
Service brakes, hydraulic40
Fuel system, gasoline30
Engine and engine cooling30
Vehicle speed control31
6 other systems110

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

8 recalls

2007 BMW X5 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

77%repaired · 2021 Q2

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 20V-017 · Jan 15, 2020 · 59,965 vehicles · 46,423 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

65%repaired · 2021 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 20V-016 · Jan 15, 2020 · 4,007 vehicles · 2,606 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

74%repaired · 2020 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 19V-017 · Jan 14, 2019 · 83,016 vehicles · 61,315 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

67%repaired · 2019 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 18V-030 · Jan 9, 2018 · 41,808 vehicles · 28,172 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 4 more recalls
52%repaired · 2019 Q3

Emission control: crankcase (pcv)

Recall 17V-683 · Oct 30, 2017 · 740,561 vehicles · 384,964 repaired

Risk. An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

57%repaired · 2019 Q1

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 17V-020 · Jan 10, 2017 · 48,951 vehicles · 28,027 repaired

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

52%repaired · 2018 Q2

Delivery: fuel pump

Recall 16V-746 · Oct 17, 2016 · 136,188 vehicles · 70,374 repaired

Risk. The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

48%repaired · 2018 Q4

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 16V-364 · May 25, 2016 · 97,738 vehicles · 46,471 repaired

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.

Best & worst years

2007 vs. every other X5 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the X5 median. How we score

'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2007 BMW X5 safety ratings

2007 BMW X5 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What X5 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 2007 BMW X5. The contact stated the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the passenger’s side air bag to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer…
Complaint 11488213 · Oct 6, 2022 · 149,000 miles
2007 X5 4.8 WITH PANORAMIC SUNROOF, SUNROOF TRAY OVERFLOWS AND LEAKS INTO INTERIOR ELECTRICAL, AIRBAGS, AND CARPET DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN/ASSEMBLY (BOTH WHEN STATIONARY AND IN MOTION). SUNROOF DRAINS BOTH FRONT AND REAR HAVE DRAIN TUBES WHICH ARE PRONE TO KINK AND BACK UP WATER INTO THE SUNROOF…
Complaint 11384448 · Dec 21, 2020 · 43,000 miles
PASSENGER LIGHT AIRBAG CAME ON. CALLED BMW OF HARTFORD AND THEY STATED THEY HAVE NO RECALL ON AIRBAGS. I PREVIOUSLY GOT AN EMAIL THAT MY PASSENGER AIRBAG CAN EXPLODE AND MY CAR IS UP FOR RECALL
Complaint 11339063 · Jul 13, 2020

Own a 2007 X5?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.