2018 BMW X5 power train problems
10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2018 BMW X5 — 14% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The driveshaft malfunctioned which caused the vehicle to lose control. Yes, it is available at the repair shop. Wife was driving with mother-in-law and [XXX] child at highway speeds (55) requiring her to maintain control and pull over without getting hit by other cars. Independent repair shop…”
filed Aug 21, 2026
“Vehicle: 2018 BMW X5 xDrive40e Recall: NHTSA Safety Recall 24V-608 Complaint Description: My 2018 BMW X5 xDrive40e experienced a sudden Electric Motor Electronics (EME) failure that rendered the vehicle inoperable. This occurred before the recall remedy for NHTSA Safety Recall 24V-608 was…”
filed Feb 17, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Power Train problems in other X5 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 X5 | 4 | 18% |
| 2025 X5 | 7 | 11% |
| 2024 X5 | 16 | 11% |
| 2023 X5 | 7 | 23% |
| 2022 X5 | 23 | 34% |
| 2021 X5 | 26 | 25% |
| 2020 X5 | 17 | 15% |
| 2019 X5 | 18 | 10% |
| 2017 X5 | 9 | 12% |
| 2016 X5 | 13 | 18% |
| 2015 X5 | 14 | 9% |
| 2014 X5 | 12 | 12% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2018 BMW X5
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.