Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 BMW X5 Hybrid, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 BMW X5 Hybrid SUV AWD | — | 0.0 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane departure warning
- Standard
- Best overall rating
- —
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Recalls
21V156000 · Seats10 Mar 2021 · 258 vehicles
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5 xDrive45e, 2021 X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i, and XB7 vehicles. The head restraints on the second-row outer seats may be the incorrect type for the vehicle.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2021 BMW X5 Hybrid: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11003047 | Automatic Transmission Return |
| 10252135 | After performing a BMW Remote Software Upgrade (RSU), the functionality of the Comfort Access andPassive Go/Exit features may be reduced. Also, one or more of the following error memory entries below may be stored in the Basic Central Platform(BCP) module. 80424A Remote control receiver at the front (FBD5 VM): Programming defective 80424B Remote control receiver at the rear (FBD5 HM): Programming defective 80424C Remote control receiver at the front left (FBD5s VL): Programming defective 80424D Remote control receiver at the front right (FBD5s VR): Programming defective 80424E Remote con |
| 10252039 | This Informational Bulletin is intended as a guided work through process to address BEV/PHEV charging issues. The step-by-step guide will help walk you through the correct basic steps that should be followed when addressing and diagnosing battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) charging issues. |
| 10252038 | Check Control message (CCM) indicates: (ID 213): Stop, exercising due care. Voltage supply The Service Engine Soon light is on with the following DME Fault Code: 21B209 - Starter alternator / belt for 48V system (OSA_RIEMEN_RISS): Belt betweenCombustion engine and starter generator torn And/or one or more of the following other issues are also occurring: Noise in the area of the belt drive. Odor from the engine compartment. Smoke formation in the area of the belt drive. Drive belt damaged or prematurely worn. Torn drive belt. |
| 10252033 | During inspection and/or diagnosis there is noticeable dirt/grease buildup on the axles near the inner and/o router CV boots. |
| 10252031 | One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored. |
| 10252029 | This Informational Bulletin is intended as a guided work-through process to address customer charging complaints. The step-by-step guide will help walk you through the basic procedure to test the charger/infrastructure when the vehicle does not charge, either at a: Home charger AC Level 1/Level 2 - Flexible Fast Charger/hard wired Wallbox, or a Public AC Level 2, or DC Level 3 - Fast Charging Station Note: All PHEV and BEV vehicles may be affected. |
| 10250365 | Gen 5 BEV/PHEV vehicles may set the Combined Charging Unit (CCU) in programming abort due to nocommunication to the HV charge socket electronics. |
| 10249437 | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| 10249031 | Check Engine light is on IHKA has stored fault 80131C IHKA: 12V voltage sensor plausibility |
| 10249027 | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle discharged battery complaints. |
| 10249025 | The roller sunshade (aka sun protection or sunblind) of the front panoramic sunroof is bunching up during operation or may hang down and appear loose. |
| 10249024 | This bulletin outlines known areas of possible water entry, operational noise, or wind noise for the vehicles listed above. It serves only as a diagnostic resource in troubleshooting complaints from the roof area. This bulletin and the associated attachments are designed to provide one single diagnostic resource for troubleshooting all known issues related to the panoramic sunroof of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles which have quality improvement measures already in place. |
| 10245420 | Emergency Stop Assistant is activated. Thisicon will appear in the CID when this function is activated. |
| 10245367 | Check Control message (CCM) indicates: (ID 213): Stop, exercising due care. Voltage supply The Service Engine Soon light is on with the following DME Fault Code: 21B209 - Starter alternator / belt for 48V system (OSA_RIEMEN_RISS): Belt betweenCombustion engine and starter generator torn And/or one or more of the following other issues are also occurring: Noise in the area of the belt drive. Odor from the engine compartment. Smoke formation in the area of the belt drive. Drive belt damaged or prematurely worn. Torn drive belt. |
| 10242877 | No heater output in passenger area. |
| 10236387 | Engine Variants Updated. |
| 10214266 | A check control message for the restraint system appears. In the instrument cluster, the red air bag warning light lights up permanently. |
| 10214265 | On these Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), the air conditioning cycles from cold to warm air while driving or while at a standstill. The vent outlet temperatures vary by 25 degrees Fahrenheit or more (38F to 60F +; 3 to 15 + Celsius) without changing any climate control settings. |
| 10214258 | During inspection and/or diagnosis there is noticeable dirt/grease buildup on the axles near the inner and/or outer CV boots. |
| 10200240 | The total electrically driven miles are lost/reset after the vehicle is programmed. This does not affect the total vehicle odometer reading. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
DP22005 · Electrical system:propulsion systemopened 27 Jan 2023 · closed 7 Aug 2023
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation