repaired · 2021 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2009 BMW X5Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 138 owner complaints about the 2009 BMW X5, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 12 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-364 the manufacturer reports only 48% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 20, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 BMW X5 has problems
138 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
41Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
37Fuel/propulsion system3 crash/fire/injury
30Engine4 crash/fire/injury
16Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
10Power train
9Service brakes
9Seats
6Engine and engine cooling
6Steering
2611 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 41 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 37 | 3 |
| Engine | 30 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 16 | 2 |
| Power train | 10 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 0 |
| Seats | 9 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 |
| 11 other systems | 26 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
12 recalls
2009 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.
repaired · 2021 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2020 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2020 Q2
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. If the idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Show 8 more recalls
repaired · 2019 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2019 Q3
Emission control: crankcase (pcv)
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.
repaired · 2019 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2018 Q2
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak.
repaired · 2018 Q4
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
no report yet
Fuel system, diesel: pre-heater
Risk. The fuel filter heater could remain activated even when the ignition is off and lead to a dead battery.
no report yet
Fuel system, diesel: pre-heater
Risk. THE FUEL FILTER HEATER COULD REMAIN ACTIVATED EVEN WHEN THE IGNITION IS OFF AND LEAD TO A DEAD BATTERY.
no report yet
Foundation components: disc
Risk. IN AN EXTREME CASE, THE AFFECTED REAR BRAKE DISC COULD BREAK RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKING AT THAT WHEEL INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCES AND THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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
2009 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
2009 BMW X5 safety ratings
2009 BMW X5 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 4 stars (17.4% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2009 BMW X5, and the recalls they led to.
- Idler Pulley Bolt FailureLed to recall 18V-336
In owners' words
What X5 owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V364000 (AIR BAGS) AND REPAIRED AT HILTON HEAD BMW DEALERSHIP (1230 FORDING ISLAND RD, BLUFFTON, SC 29910, [PHONE]) HOWEVER, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED.…
3-2-19 I BROUGHT CAR TO BMW IN FT PERCE, FL FOR 4 RECALLS WHICH THEY DID. THERE WAS A PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON AFTERWARDS WHICH THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT FIX UNDER RECALL. I HAD A LICENSED ASC MECHANIC SCAN THE CAR AND IT CAME UP OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT. I LOOKED UP THIS AND THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN APRIL…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A MULTIPLE VEHICLE COLLISION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK, NECK, AND PELVIS INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL…
Own a 2009 X5?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.