2022 BMW X5 Problems and Top Complaints – Is Your Car A Lemon?

By Brian Jones | Updated on February 25th, 2022

The 2022 BMW X5 is labeled as a luxury Sports Activity Vehicle that’s created to impress. Even the automaker claims that it “gets you where you need to be.” Yet, customers are more than happy to return this BMW due to its defective electrical system and malfunctioning engine operation.

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Problems with the Electrical System

Today’s luxury cars should be designed to have the latest equipment and amenities, but chip shortages have caused automakers, such as BMW, to scale back. However, this isn’t leaving the customer satisfied.

One example can be found in a KBB review. “I ordered an x5 45e that was fully loaded in Sept 2021. Received it Nov 23. It had all of the options on it except the touch screen and wireless phone charger and audio upgrade. These were deleted from build because of the chip shortage. Received a measly $500 credit. It was the most beautiful and expensive vehicle I have ever owned. BUT I had it for 5 days and an engine light came on and notice of reduced engine output. Took it to dealer and it is still there 35 days later. They said the safety module is bad and they have no idea when the part will come from Germany. This is my first and last BMW. So disappointing, disheartening, ridiculous, unreliable vehicle and BMW service.”

BMW customers aren’t concerned over $500. What they really want is a touch screen, wireless charging and a premium sound system, none of which seem to be available on the 2022 X5. Without these features, it’s difficult to see this vehicle as a luxury-minded option. Instead, it becomes no better than the generic SUVs provided by The Big Three. At this point, it might be better for customers to save their money and opt for one of the lower-end SUVs instead. At least they would know what they were getting.

Problems with the Engine

There seem to be just as many issues happening with the engine, which is supposed to be a perfect work of German engineering.

Another KBB review states, “The problem, in my eyes, arose when I was caught in bumper to bumper traffic on the GW bridge on my return trip. I cannot fully explain the disappointment with the auto start stop system. At times I thought I was driving a 1975 pinto with a bad transmission. Not a $70,000 luxury SUV. When rolling the engine turns off, when I step on the gas to move forward, I was surprised by the vehicle bucking. Just no fun in traffic. In My X3, I could disable the auto start stop system. Not in the X5.”

In the past, BMW was subject to many engine issues. Everyone is holding their breath, hoping the same isn’t true with the 2022 X5, but it’s all up in the air right now. In fact, just a few years ago, the X5 was part of class-action lawsuits because the engine was defective. Because of malfunctions, the motor was consuming an excessive amount of oil, but BMW did nothing to change it. In fact, it’s alleged that the automaker knew about the defects and continued to sell vehicles with the motor installed. So, what does BMW know about the 2022 X5 that is going to turn into a class-action lawsuit down the road? Time will tell.

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.

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