2009 BMW X5 Sav Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2009 BMW X5 Sav has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,817,171 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 22V119000 2022-03-02 917,106 affected
Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series…

Consequence

An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.

Remedy

This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles…

AIR BAGS 16V071000 2016-02-05 840,000 affected
Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i,…

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

SERVICE BRAKES 13V045000 2013-02-07 30,265 affected
Defect

BMW is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 X5 SAV vehicles, manufactured September 12, 2006, through March 18, 2010 and equipped with an 8-cylinder engine. The brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil into the hose. The contamination could result in a loss of power assist braking.

Consequence

The loss of power assist in braking could increase stopping distance and lead to a vehicle crash.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake vacuum line with one that contains a check valve, free of charge. The recall began during March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12V550000 2012-11-27 29,800 affected
Defect

BMW is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 X5 xDrive 35d SAV diesel vehicles manufactured September 1, 2008, through November 15, 2012. The engine belt idler pulley bolt could loosen and break over time.

Consequence

If the engine belt idler pulley bolt breaks, the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and tighten the idler pulley bolt. The recall began on January 15, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Complaints by component

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
10
1fires
AIR BAGS
7
1fires
ENGINE
3
SERVICE BRAKES
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1
WHEELS
1
Total complaints30

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Lost power while cruising at 60 m/hr. Other cars almost hit me when I was trying to move to the side for safety causing lots of traffic. Then went to the bmw dealer (patrict bmw) in schaumburg il for diagnostic and found out there was a problem in the fuel system electrically. The wiring harness…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2019-04-30

“Lost power while cruising at 60 m/hr. Other cars almost hit me when I was trying to move to the side for safety causing lots of traffic. Then went to the bmw dealer (patrict bmw) in schaumburg il for diagnostic and found out there was a problem in the fuel system electrically. The wiring harness…”

ENGINE · reported 2019-04-30

“Lost power while cruising at 60 m/hr. Other cars almost hit me when I was trying to move to the side for safety causing lots of traffic. Then went to the bmw dealer (patrict bmw) in schaumburg il for diagnostic and found out there was a problem in the fuel system electrically. The wiring harness…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2019-04-30

“Brake lights are failing causing a major safety issue. Bmw issued a service bulletin on this problem (sb-10040177-8428 / si b63 10 09) in march 2011. This vehicle has been serviced by the bmw dealership many many times, but the service bulletin was never mentioned or executed. Warning lights…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2018-06-04

“Brake lights are failing causing a major safety issue. Bmw issued a service bulletin on this problem (sb-10040177-8428 / si b63 10 09) in march 2011. This vehicle has been serviced by the bmw dealership many many times, but the service bulletin was never mentioned or executed. Warning lights…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2018-06-04

“Brake lights are failing causing a major safety issue. Bmw issued a service bulletin on this problem (sb-10040177-8428 / si b63 10 09) in march 2011. This vehicle has been serviced by the bmw dealership many many times, but the service bulletin was never mentioned or executed. Warning lights…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2018-06-04

“2009 bmw x5 diesel passive tank failed. I told the dealer and called bmw customer care and told them this is emmisions related and they should have replaced it when they replaced the active tank a year ago. Bmw diesels will not pass smog due to defective designs of the active and passive tanks…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2018-05-06

“Sir, bmw installs runflats on all their cars. On this x5 I've replaced these tires 3 or 4 times at my own expense as runflats either get puncture or leak and one can't replace @3/32 oly one.these tires are defective and have not served this suv well. In fact, my wife's bm@ 535xi I did the same and…”

WHEELS · reported 2018-05-01

Defect investigations

Investigation EA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…

Investigation EA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…

Investigation RQ18001 Opened 2018-04-18 · closed 2018-12-01

Idler Pulley Bolt Failure

In a May 23, 2018 letter, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a safety defect that may result in the loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles (Recall 18V-336). The recall, which affects…

Investigation RQ18001 Opened 2018-04-18 · closed 2018-12-01

Idler Pulley Bolt Failure

In a May 23, 2018 letter, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a safety defect that may result in the loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles (Recall 18V-336). The recall, which affects…

Investigation RQ18001 Opened 2018-04-18 · closed 2018-12-01

Idler Pulley Bolt Failure

In a May 23, 2018 letter, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a safety defect that may result in the loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles (Recall 18V-336). The recall, which affects…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2009 BMW X5 Sav as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.