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Model Year Problem Record

BMW X5 2009 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2009 BMW X5: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

138Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
12Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
3Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
16Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Air Bags45 complaints

45 complaints; 6 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 16V364000, 17V020000, 18V030000, 19V017000, 20V016000, 20V017000.

Fuel and Propulsion System43 complaints

43 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 11V441000, 13V339000, 16V746000.

Engine36 complaints

36 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 17V683000, 18V336000.

Electrical System16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes11 complaints

11 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 09V255000.

Power Train10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

09V255000Reported July 8, 2009 - 96 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on July 8, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 96 vehicles across all affected models.

11V441000Reported August 19, 2011 - 2,120 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on August 19, 2011. The campaign covers an estimated 2,120 vehicles across all affected models.

13V339000Reported August 7, 2013 - 1,540 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on August 7, 2013. The campaign covers an estimated 1,540 vehicles across all affected models.

16V364000Reported May 25, 2016 - 97,738 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on May 25, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 97,738 vehicles across all affected models. NHTSA records carry a do-not-drive advisory for this campaign.

Do Not Drive Advisory
16V746000Reported October 17, 2016 - 136,188 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on October 17, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 136,188 vehicles across all affected models.

17V020000Reported January 10, 2017 - 48,951 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 10, 2017. The campaign covers an estimated 48,951 vehicles across all affected models. NHTSA records carry a do-not-drive advisory for this campaign.

Do Not Drive Advisory
17V683000Reported October 30, 2017 - 740,561 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on October 30, 2017. The campaign covers an estimated 740,561 vehicles across all affected models.

18V030000Reported January 9, 2018 - 41,808 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 9, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 41,808 vehicles across all affected models. NHTSA records carry a do-not-drive advisory for this campaign.

Do Not Drive Advisory
18V336000Reported May 23, 2018 - 33,214 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on May 23, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 33,214 vehicles across all affected models.

19V017000Reported January 14, 2019 - 83,016 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 14, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 83,016 vehicles across all affected models. NHTSA records carry a do-not-drive advisory for this campaign.

Do Not Drive Advisory
20V016000Reported January 15, 2020 - 4,007 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 15, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 4,007 vehicles across all affected models. NHTSA records carry a do-not-drive advisory for this campaign.

Do Not Drive Advisory
20V017000Reported January 15, 2020 - 59,965 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 15, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 59,965 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

RQ18001Opened April 18, 2018 - Closed December 1, 2018

Idler Pulley Bolt Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 18V336000.

RQ18001Opened April 18, 2018 - Closed December 1, 2018

Idler Pulley Bolt Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 18V336000.

RQ18001Opened April 18, 2018 - Closed December 1, 2018

Idler Pulley Bolt Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 18V336000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20091
20103
20113
20122
20136
20145
201510
201612
201741
201817
201914
20206
20212
20226
20236
20241
20253
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.