2010 BMW X5 Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

40Engine complaints

32.8%Of all 122 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE40 · 32.8%

AIR BAGS35 · 28.7%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM22 · 18%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM19 · 15.6%

Unspecified / other13 · 10.7%

Share of the 122 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2010 BMW X5 overview page.

What owners report

“MY VALVE COVER AND CRANKCASE ARE MANUFACTURED BAD THE CRANKCASE IT'S CRACKED AND LICKING, WHICH IT DAMAGE MY VALVE COVERS, MY CAR WAS DRIVING GOOD…”NHTSA complaint 11352751 — filed 09/02/2020

“CRACKED EGR COOLER. MECHANIC SAID HE HAS NOTICED THIS IS BECOMING A PATTERN.”NHTSA complaint 11325192 — filed 05/19/2020

“CLEAN DIESEL SYSTEM HAD SOME FAILURE AND GAVE A WARNING THAT THE CAR CANNOT BE RESTARTED IN 200 MILES. WIFE WAS OUT OF STATE ON…”NHTSA complaint 11299046 — filed 01/13/2020

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2010 BMW X5 have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2010 BMW X5: 40 of 122 complaints on file (32.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2010 BMW X5 have in total?

122 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 2 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 2 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.