Problems · NHTSA complaints

2022 BMW X5 M problems

Owners filed 72 complaints about the 2022 BMW X5 M with NHTSA between Dec 2021 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (25).

Complaints
72
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train25
  2. Electrical system16
  3. Engine13
  4. Forward collision avoidance9
  5. Vehicle speed control7
  6. Service brakes6
  7. Steering5
  8. Back over prevention4
  9. Suspension3
  10. Fuel/propulsion system3
  11. Lane departure3
  12. Engine and engine cooling3
  13. Tires2
  14. Wheels2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20211
20225
202317
202411
202512
202626

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

25 reports1 crash
“The bolts by the front differential broke off, the differential broke, leading to damage to the coolant lines to the transmission, leading to catastrophic failure of the differential needing the vehicle to be towed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2026Power trainODI 11771450

Electrical system

16 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2022 BMW X5. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start immediately or hesitated while starting. The messages "Goodbye" and "Pre-ventilation" were displayed. The contact attempted to start the vehicle several times before the vehicle was able to start. The contact related the failure to the starter. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2026Electrical systemODI 11768590

Engine

13 reports1 fire
“On October 15, 2026, at approximately 5:50 PM EDT, my 2022 BMW X5 (VIN: 5UXCR6C06N9L45925, approximately 43,797 miles) caught fire in the engine compartment. I noticed a burning smell while driving in Bound Brook, NJ, pulled over, and saw flames coming from the engine bay. There was no collision. The Bound Brook Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was purchased new in 2022 and regularly maintained. No injuries occurred.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2026EngineODI 11771599

Forward collision avoidance

9 reports3 crashes
“I am writing to you as a loyal BMW owner to formally lodge a serious complaint regarding a technical safety failure in my BMW X5 and the subsequent dismissive treatment I received at an authorized service center in New York. The Incident Recently, while reversing, the Driving Assistance and Parking Assistant systems failed without warning. As a result, the vehicle collided with an object, causing damage to the rear bumper. This was not a result of driver negligence, but a direct failure of the safety technology that I trusted to protect my family. Service Center Negligence Upon visiting the service center to address this life-threatening defect, I was met with unacceptable indifference. The service advisor flatly refused to investigate the system failure, stating they would only perform a standard NYC Inspection. I was given a follow-up appointment for May 5th—forcing me to wait weeks to address a critical safety defect. Safety Concerns & Demand for Replacement As a father [XXX], I no longer feel safe operating this vehicle. The integrity of the safety modules has been compromised, and my confidence in this specific car is completely shattered. Repairing a…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 4, 2026Lane departure, Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11742057

Vehicle speed control

7 reports3 crashes
“xDrive all-wheel-drive has made the car slow down unexpectedly and produce a shudder, especially in slow corners and under gentle acceleration. The vehicle has also rapidly accelerated upon entering or exiting a freeway on ramp.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 10, 2026Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11763265

Service brakes

6 reports1 crash
“I was driving my 2022 BMW X5 on the highway at approximately 78 mph when the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly applied the brakes without any obstruction or vehicle in front of me. A warning appeared instructing me to release the brakes while driving. This created a dangerous situation and could have caused a rear-end collision. The vehicle has approximately 34,000 miles. This appears to be a malfunction of the automatic emergency braking system. This happened on 2 seperate occasions.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2026Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11728841
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.