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2016 BMW X5: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 74 owner complaints on file for the 2016 BMW X5[1], and five recalls are tied to this model year[2]. Which recalls matter to you depends on the version, because the diesel and the xDrive40e have different ones[3][4].
Most reported problems
Owners filed 74 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Three mention a crash, two injuries are reported, and none mention a fire or a death[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one part of the car. That is why the groups below add up to more than 74[1].
| Component group | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical system[7] | 23 |
| Engine[8] | 21 |
| Unknown or other[9] | 14 |
| Power train[10] | 13 |
| Fuel/propulsion system[11] | 9 |
| Air bags[12] | 5 |
| Structure[13] | 4 |
| Suspension[14] | 4 |
We read a small sample of complaint texts for the top groups. It is not a measure of how common anything is, but it shows what owners describe.
- Electrical system. In a sample of 12 texts, 4 describe the car suddenly losing drive power or stalling, including on the xDrive40e, and 2 describe slow or delayed acceleration[7]. The other 6 describe things such as a blank dashboard, a dead 12-volt battery followed by a costly control computer repair, a cooling fan failure, warning light glitches, a sunroof leak, or an A/C compressor concern[7].
- Engine. In a sample of 12 texts, 5 describe power loss or a shutdown while driving[8]. Four refer to the water pump recall (24V608), and 2 of those say the repair part was not yet available when the owner contacted a dealer[8].
- Power train. In a sample of 12 texts, 6 describe losing power while driving, some with a warning message[10]. Three describe a front driveshaft or axle failure[10].
- Fuel/propulsion. In a sample of 8 texts, 4 describe high-pressure fuel pump failures on the diesel[11]. Two of them say a pump that was already replaced under the recall failed again. Others mention fuel economy well below the sticker, a diesel particulate filter sensor, and a hybrid that would not charge[11].
Median mileage at failure was 101,932 for electrical complaints, 114,865 for engine complaints and 10,250 for the unknown or other group[7][8][9]. The other groups do not list a median in our data.
Recalls
Five recalls are on file for this model year. Newest first:
- Water pump connector (24V608). Filed 2024-08-13[3]. For the X5 this covers the xDrive40e[3]. A water pump electrical connector may not be sealed well, so water can reach it and cause a short circuit. The risk is a fire. Dealers inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as needed, add a protective shield, and charge nothing[3].
- EGR cooler (21V907). Filed 2021-11-19[15]. For the X5 this covers the xDrive35d diesel[15]. The EGR cooler can leak coolant inside, which can mix with soot and smolder, and that can melt the intake manifold. The risk is a fire. Dealers replace the EGR cooler and check the intake manifold. Cars that had the earlier recall 18V755 need this new repair too[15].
- High-pressure fuel pump (21V586). Filed 2021-07-29[4]. For the X5 this covers the xDrive35d diesel[4]. The pump can fail and stall the engine while driving, which raises crash risk. Dealers replace the pump for free[4].
- EGR cooler, earlier recall (18V755). Filed 2018-10-25[16]. Also for the xDrive35d[16]. It addressed the same EGR cooler leak. Dealers were to replace the cooler as needed and replace the intake manifold if a leak had already happened[16].
- Ground cable (16V919). Filed 2016-12-21[17]. It covers 8 xDrive40e vehicles built between July 29, 2015 and September 9, 2015[17]. A loose ground cable could cause low voltage and make the transmission shift to neutral, which raises crash risk. Dealers tighten the cable for free[17].
You can look up your own VIN at NHTSA to see whether a recall applies to your car and whether it was done.
Fuel economy
The EPA lists five versions of the 2016 X5, and fuel economy varies a lot between them[18][19][20][21][5].
| Version | Engine | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| sDrive35i[18] | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, rear-wheel drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | $3,900 |
| xDrive35i[19] | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, all-wheel drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | $4,100 |
| xDrive50i[20] | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, all-wheel drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | $4,850 |
| xDrive35d[5] | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel, all-wheel drive | 23 / 29 / 25 | $3,850 |
The xDrive40e has a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo and runs on premium gas and electricity. The EPA rates it at 24 MPGe combined and 540 miles of range[21].
Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new. Real mileage can differ. One complaint in our sample reports getting far less than the sticker, but that is a single report[11].
Safety ratings
NHTSA gave the 2016 X5 5 stars overall, 5 stars in the frontal test and 5 stars in the side test[6]. The rollover rating is 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 18.8%[6]. The rear-wheel-drive rating is the same[22].
Engine and size
The EPA test car list shows these horsepower ratings for the 2016 X5:
- 2.0L 4-cylinder: 240 hp[23]
- 3.0L 6-cylinder: 255 to 300 hp, depending on version[24]
- 4.4L 8-cylinder: 443 hp[25]
Size comes from Canadian-market specifications, so US models can differ slightly. All three versions listed are 193 in long, 76 in wide and 69 in tall, with a 115 in wheelbase[26][27][28].
How 2016 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 29 | 7 |
| 2001 | 160 | 13 |
| 2002 | 102 | 4 |
| 2003 | 100 | 4 |
| 2004 | 64 | 5 |
| 2005 | 82 | 2 |
| 2006 | 195 | 2 |
| 2007 | 130 | 13 |
| 2008 | 235 | 13 |
| 2009 | 157 | 16 |
| 2010 | 143 | 19 |
| 2011 | 331 | 18 |
| 2012 | 292 | 14 |
| 2013 | 162 | 7 |
| 2014 | 99 | 8 |
| 2015 | 152 | 6 |
| 2016 | 74 | 5 |
| 2017 | 75 | 6 |
| 2018 | 73 | 5 |
| 2019 | 193 | 13 |
| 2020 | 113 | 11 |
| 2021 | 111 | 12 |
| 2022 | 75 | 1 |
| 2023 | 33 | 4 |
| 2024 | 145 | 8 |
| 2025 | 63 | 5 |
| 2026 | 27 | 2 |
NHTSA lists 74 complaints and 5 recalls for the 2016 X5[2]. Nearby years look like this:
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 99 | 8 |
| 2015 | 152 | 6 |
| 2016 | 74 | 5 |
| 2017 | 75 | 6 |
| 2018 | 73 | 5 |
All figures are from[2]. So 2016 sits below 2014 and 2015 and is nearly level with 2017 and 2018. It is not the lowest year overall. For example, 2018 has 73 complaints and 2023 has 33[2]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide only.
Should you buy a used 2016 X5?
The complaint count is lower than the 2014 and 2015 model years, and the crash ratings are strong[2][6]. If you are looking at the xDrive35d diesel, check that the fuel pump and EGR cooler recalls were done[15][4]. If it is the xDrive40e, check the water pump recall and ask about any power loss history[3]. Owners in our complaint sample describe sudden power loss on the xDrive40e and fuel pump failures on the diesel, though the sample is small[7][11]. Have an independent shop inspect any car before you buy and run its VIN at NHTSA.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems on a 2016 BMW X5?
- NHTSA lists 23 electrical and 21 engine complaints out of 74 total, with power train at 13[1][7][8][10]. Owners in a sample describe sudden loss of power and, on the diesel, fuel pump failures[7][11].
- Does the 2016 BMW X5 have any recalls?
- Five are on file: 24V608, 21V907, 21V586, 18V755 and 16V919[3][15][4][16][17]. Which ones apply depends on the version and VIN.
- What gas mileage does a 2016 BMW X5 get?
- The EPA combined rating ranges from 17 MPG for the xDrive50i to 25 MPG for the xDrive35d diesel[20][5]. The xDrive40e is rated 24 MPGe combined[21].
- Is the 2016 BMW X5 safe?
- NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[6].
- Is 2016 a good year for the BMW X5?
- It has fewer complaints than 2014 and 2015, at 74 versus 99 and 152, but 2018 has 73 and 2023 has 33[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 74 owner complaints on file for the 2016 BMW X5 (3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every BMW X5 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 24V608, filed August 13, 2024: Electrical System › Wiring › Connectors / Plugs / Receptacles. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V586, filed July 29, 2021: Fuel System, Diesel › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for X5 xDrive35d, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Diesel, All-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 29 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 101,932). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 114,865). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 10,250). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 21V907, filed November 19, 2021: Fuel System, Diesel. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V755, filed October 25, 2018: Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V919, filed December 21, 2016: Electrical System › Wiring. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for X5 sDrive35i, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for X5 xDrive35i, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for X5 xDrive50i, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for X5 xDrive40e, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium and Electricity: 24 MPGe combined, 540 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV RWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2016 BMW X5 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 240 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2016 BMW X5 with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 255 to 300 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2016 BMW X5 with 4.4L 8-cylinder: rated 443 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, X5 xDRIVE35d 4DR SUV: length 193 in, width 76 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 4,930 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, X5 xDRIVE35i 4DR SUV: length 193 in, width 76 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 4,791 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, X5 xDRIVE50i 4DR SUV: length 193 in, width 76 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 115 in, curb weight 5,150 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov