Checklist: G05 BMW X5 2019–2026

What to look for on this generation, worst first. Tick each line as you check it.

The inspection sheet: mark up every panel, what is underneath and how it drives.

Look for 5

Known problems, and how to check for each.

Air suspension compressor and spring failures All yearsSee that it sits level and at the right height, and listen for a noisy compressor. A seller's guide (unofficial)
Oil leaks on the six All yearsLook for oil at the valve cover and oil filter housing. A seller's guide (unofficial)
Early iDrive software faults 2019–2020Make sure the software is up to date, and test the screen and controls. A seller's guide (unofficial)
Integrated brake system recalls All yearsMake sure the integrated brake system recalls were done. NHTSA
Plug-in hybrid battery recalls and wear 2021–2026Make sure the battery recalls were done and ask for a battery health check. NHTSA, a seller's guide (unofficial)

Services to ask about 1

Scheduled work a seller can show records for. The G05's schedule has 3 more services, on its page. Buying shows which are due at a car's miles and age.

Engine oil and filter All yearsReplace every 10,000 miles or 1 year, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says to check the V8's oil level between changes. Ask for oil change records. A seller's guide (unofficial)

Recalls to ask about 39

Recalls filed for these model years, newest first. Not every car is covered; check the vehicle identification number with NHTSA.

Recall 26V422000 2024–2025The integrated brake system can malfunction, losing power brake assist or stopping the ABS and stability control working properly. Dealers inspect it and replace it if needed. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 25V837000 2026The instrument panel may have been made wrongly and stop the passenger airbag deploying properly. Dealers replace the panel trim. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 25V644000 2019–2020After repeated tries, the starter motor can overheat from an electrical overload. Dealers replace the starter, including on cars fixed under 24V576000. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 25V556000 2026The windshield may not be sealed properly, letting water into the power distribution box or a control unit. Dealers inspect the seal and repair it, replacing control units and wiring as needed. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 24V739000 2024The integrated brake system can malfunction, losing power brake assist or stopping the ABS and stability control working properly. Dealers replace the module. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 24V697000 2024–2025Welds in the integrated brake module's servomotor can break, losing power brake assist and rear braking, and the ABS and stability control may not work. Dealers replace the brake system. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 24V576000 2019–2020If the starter motor fails, repeated tries to start the car can overheat it. Dealers update the software. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 24V345000 2025The seat belt system may wrongly sense that a passenger is belted, so the warning light stays off and the airbags may not deploy as they should. Dealers inspect and replace the front lower seat belts as needed. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 24V327000 2024–2025The tire placard may give the wrong tire size and pressure. Dealers replace it. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 24V138000 2024The instrument panel may not have been made properly, so the airbag may not deploy correctly or the panel may come apart when it does. Dealers replace the panel. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 24V104000 2024–2025The integrated brake system can malfunction, losing power brake assist or stopping the ABS and stability control working properly. Dealers replace it. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 23V821000 2023A badly made weld on the gearbox control unit's cover can let transmission oil leak into the control unit. Dealers replace the mechatronics module and the fluid as needed. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 23V622000 2024The front passenger's knee airbag may not deploy as it should. Dealers replace it. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 23V471000 2024The driver's or passenger's knee airbag may not have been made correctly and may not deploy as it should. Dealers replace it. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 23V253000 2023The guide sleeves of the outer second-row head restraints may lack their locking tabs, against the federal head restraint standard. Dealers inspect and replace them. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 22V942000 2023One of the bolts joining the driver's seatback to the seat frame may not have been fitted correctly. Dealers inspect it and fit the bolt if needed. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 22V820000 2023The windshield may not be bonded properly, letting water reach electrical parts and short circuit them. Dealers inspect the seal and refit the windshield with a new one if needed. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 22V267000 2019–2022The roof control unit may let the sunroof close without the key in the car, against the federal power window standard. Dealers reprogram it. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 21V520000 2019The instrument panel may not have been made correctly, which could stop the passenger airbag deploying properly. A dealer replaces the panel. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 21V156000 2021The outer second-row head restraints may be the wrong type for the car. Dealers inspect them and replace them as needed. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 21V096000 2019–2021Part of the reversing camera's picture may be blocked, or the screen may stay dark, when reverse is selected. Dealers update the camera software. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 21V089000 2021The right front brake disc may have been fitted with the wrong fasteners and could work loose. Dealers replace both front discs. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 21V062000 2019–2021The rotor and shaft in the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and can separate under hard braking, losing ABS and brake assist. Dealers replace the brake system. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 21V031000 2021The universal joint of the steering column shaft may not have been tightened properly and can loosen. Dealers replace the bolt, or the shaft and joint as well. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 20V761000 2021The connection between the 48-volt battery and the starter-generator may have been assembled badly, raising its resistance. Dealers inspect it and replace it if needed. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 20V678000 2020–2021The weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bracket may separate. Dealers replace the front axle support. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 20V601000 2021Debris may have got into the hybrid battery cells when they were made. Drivers are told not to charge the car until dealers inspect the battery and replace modules if needed. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 20V528000 2020–2021The headlights can show a blue light, so the cars do not meet the federal lighting standard. Dealers inspect them and replace them if needed. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 20V490000 2021Loose weld beads can bridge the hybrid battery's cells and short circuit them. Dealers inspect the battery modules and replace them if needed. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 20V483000 2021The tires may have a damaged inner layer and lose pressure quickly while driving. Dealers replace them. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 20V465000 2020An extra bolt on the starter motor could fall into the gearbox housing and stall the engine. Dealers remove it and replace damaged parts. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 20V434000 2019–2020The bearing plate of the steering column shaft may not have been fastened properly and can loosen. Dealers inspect it and fasten or replace it. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 19V684000 2019–2020The reversing camera's settings can be changed so its picture is no longer visible, and the car keeps that setting. Dealers update the camera software. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 19V631000 2020The steering rack's pinion teeth can break under load, losing steering control. Dealers replace the steering rack. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 19V541000 2019The left wheel bolts may not have been tightened enough and can loosen. Dealers replace and tighten them. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 19V513000 2019The high-pressure fuel pump may not have been fitted properly, which can crack its flange and leak fuel. Dealers replace the pump. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 19V096000 2019The bolts holding the driver's seat or seat belt may not have been tightened properly. Dealers check them and tighten them. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 18V918000 2019The sun visors may carry a wrong airbag warning label or none. Dealers inspect them and replace them as needed. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA
Recall 18V732000 2019Capacitors in the body domain controller can short circuit and overheat. Dealers replace the control unit. Ask for proof the recall work was done. NHTSA

What buyers avoid 1

What owners and the press say to steer clear of.

An early 2019 car or an xDrive50i 2019–2020Euro Premium Parts says early 2019 cars carry more software bugs and first-year problems, and that the 2019 to 2020 xDrive50i's V8 has a history of oil use. A seller's guide (unofficial)

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