Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (29.7% of complaints) — is covered by 6 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Air Bags complaints here are 3.5× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 41 · 29.7% | Recalled | Recall 19V017000 · Recall 20V016000 · Recall 20V017000 · Recall 18V030000 · Recall 17V020000 · Recall 16V364000 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 37 · 26.8% | Recalled | Recall 16V746000 · Recall 13V339000 · Recall 11V441000 |
| Engine | 30 · 21.7% | Recalled | Recall 18V336000 · Recall 17V683000 |
| Electrical System | 16 · 11.6% | not available | — |
| Power Train | 10 · 7.2% | not available | — |
| Service Brakes | 9 · 6.5% | Recalled | Recall 09V255000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 138 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 19V017000 · 2019 · reported 01/14/2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Park it · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 20V016000 · 2020 · reported 01/15/2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Park it · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 20V017000 · 2020 · reported 01/15/2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 18V336000 · 2018 · reported 05/23/2018
If the idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 18V030000 · 2018 · reported 01/09/2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Park it · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 17V020000 · 2017 · reported 01/10/2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Park it · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 16V746000 · 2016 · reported 10/17/2016
The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 17V683000 · 2017 · reported 10/30/2017
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 16V364000 · 2016 · reported 05/25/2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Park it · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 13V339000 · 2013 · reported 08/07/2013
The fuel filter heater could remain activated even when the ignition is off and lead to a dead battery. The unit could also overheat, possibly resulting in a vehicle fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 11V441000 · 2011 · reported 08/19/2011
THE FUEL FILTER HEATER COULD REMAIN ACTIVATED EVEN WHEN THE IGNITION IS OFF AND LEAD TO A DEAD BATTERY. THE UNIT COULD ALSO OVERHEAT, POSSIBLY LEADING TO A VEHICLE FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09V255000 · 2009 · reported 07/08/2009
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMX X5. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS…”NHTSA complaint 11127884 — filed 09/06/2018 · AIR BAGS
“I STOPPED AT A DRIVE THRU WINDOW AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. I COULDN'T GET IT STARTED AND THE POLICE TRIED TO PUT…”NHTSA complaint 11124148 — filed 09/03/2018 · AIR BAGS
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X5. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SELL THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT SUPPLIED THE REMEDY…”NHTSA complaint 11056647 — filed 12/26/2017 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 41 of 138 NHTSA complaints (29.7%), followed by fuel/propulsion system (37), engine (30), electrical system (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
138 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 3 involved a crash, 8 involved a fire, and 3 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 12 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V017000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
