BMW X5 Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some, but not unusually many. 393 of the 2,605 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2025 BMW X5 (15.1%) name the transmission, near the 12.6% median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Transmission complaints
393
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
15.1%
of 2,605 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
5
NHTSA campaigns, all years
BMW X5 transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 25 | 7.5% | 1 | — | 23 |
| 2009 | 10 | 6.2% | 2 | — | 21 |
| 2010 | 7 | 4.8% | 1 | — | 24 |
| 2011WORST | 70 | 21% | 2 | 17V13800016V311000 | 30 |
| 2012WORST | 62 | 21% | 2 | 17V13800012V019000 | 25 |
| 2013WORST | 37 | 22.8% | 1 | 17V138000 | 25 |
| 2014 | 12 | 12.1% | 1 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | 14 | 9.2% | 1 | — | 27 |
| 2016 | 12 | 17.1% | 0 | — | 25 |
| 2017 | 10 | 13.2% | 0 | — | 20 |
| 2018 | 9 | 13.4% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | 17 | 9.6% | 2 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | 16 | 14.7% | 1 | 20V465000 | 0 |
| 2021 | 33 | 28.7% | 3 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | 27 | 35.5% | 1 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | 9 | 27.3% | 0 | 23V821000 | 11 |
| 2024 | 16 | 11.1% | 0 | — | 7 |
| 2025 | 7 | 12.5% | 0 | — | 5 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common BMW X5 transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 393 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
BMW X5 years to avoid for the transmission
2011 BMW X5
70 transmission complaints (21% of the year's 333). Most often described: shudder or vibration. Covered by transmission recalls 17V138000, 16V311000.
2012 BMW X5
62 transmission complaints (21% of the year's 295). Most often described: shudder or vibration. Covered by transmission recalls 17V138000, 12V019000.
2013 BMW X5
37 transmission complaints (22.8% of the year's 162). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recall 17V138000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the BMW X5 years to avoid.
BMW X5 transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any BMW X5 model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 23V821000 · 2023-12-06 · 2023 models
The weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit's cover may not have been manufactured properly, which could allow automatic transmission oil to leak into the transmission control unit.
- 20V465000 · 2020-08-07 · 2020 models
The starter motor may have an extra bolt that could potentially fall into the transmission housing and cause an engine stall.
- 17V138000 · 2017-03-02 · 2011–2013 models
Water and debris may enter the front driveshaft's universal joint, causing excessive wear and possibly resulting in the joint's failure.
- 16V311000 · 2016-05-17 · 2011 models
The affected vehicles have a front driveshaft universal joint that may not seal out water and debris from getting in and damaging the joint, which could lead to its failure.
- 12V019000 · 2012-01-23 · 2012 models
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 X5 XDRIVE 35I SPORTS ACTIVITY VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 19, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 21, 2011. DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ERROR, ENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSIONS PARKING LOCK MAY NOT OCCUR EVEN IF THE P…
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Frequently asked questions
Does the 2011 BMW X5 have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 70 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2011 BMW X5, 21% of all 333 complaints for that year. The most common description is "shudder or vibration" (14 complaints). 2 transmission-related recalls cover it: 17V138000, 16V311000. 2 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2012 BMW X5 have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 62 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 BMW X5, 21% of all 295 complaints for that year. The most common description is "shudder or vibration" (13 complaints). 2 transmission-related recalls cover it: 17V138000, 12V019000. 2 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2013 BMW X5 have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 37 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2013 BMW X5, 22.8% of all 162 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (5 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 17V138000. 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which BMW X5 years have the most transmission complaints?
2011 (70), 2012 (62) and 2013 (37), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common BMW X5 transmission problems?
In the 393 transmission complaints, owners most often describe shudder or vibration (12.2%), jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (10.4%) and loss of power or limp mode (10.4%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each BMW X5 model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration