The 2025 BMW X5 promises exceptional interior comfort and innovative functionality in a large sporty design. That sounds promising, except that there are complaints that dealers have sold and leased vehicles knowing there were major problems with the brakes and electronic stability control. The other huge problem is a lack of parts to rectify these issues.
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Most Common Problems
Complaints about the 2025 BMW X5 to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) focus primarily on the service brake system and electronic stability control (ESC). Issues were identified by BMW as early as February 2024, when 266,716 2023-2025 BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce vehicles were recalled because of malfunctions in the integrated brake system. However, as recently as May 2025, customers were issuing complaints to the NHTSA that the part required for the recall repair was still not available.
Disturbingly, there are also complaints that BMW dealerships sold and/or leased vehicles knowing that there were serious problems and that no recall remedy was available.
There are also a few other complaints including alarming reports of sunroofs exploding. While these are reported as an “unknown or other” problem, other components and systems that are highlighted as problematic include the electrical system, forward collision avoidance, lane departure, powertrain, and vehicle speed control.
There are also four recalls that affect the 2025 BMW X5, two of which are due to problems with the service brake system and ESC.
2025 X5 Recalls
Without a doubt, the two recalls that implicate the brakes and ESC are the most serious.
The first of these was issued on February 12, 2024, for an integrated brake system malfunction. A total number of 39 BMW products and 266,716 units were affected, including the 2024 and 2025 X5. The issue was that the integrated brake (IB) system could malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) systems to not function properly.
The immediate risk is that a loss of “power brake assist” can extend the distance needed to stop vehicles. Also, the malfunctioning systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either way, the malfunctions increase the risk of BMW X5s crashing.
On September 18, 2024, a second brake/ESC recall was issued, this time for 309 BMW vehicles. The problem here is that “The welds in the servomotor of the integrated brake control module may break, causing a loss of power brake assist and rear brake function. In addition, the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system may not function.” The results are the same in terms of stopping distance, ABS and DSC functions, and the risks of crashing.
The other two recalls involve:
A seat belt malfunction that affects 3,256 BMW vehicles where the warning light doesn’t alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt or a seat belt system that doesn’t deploy properly. The risk is that occupants will be injured if the vehicle crashes.
Incorrect information on tire placards of 703 2024 and 2025 X5 BMW vehicles that could allow the wrong size tire to be installed. It could also result in tires being incorrectly inflated, increasing the risk of a crash.
All the electronic stability control (ESC) complaints are linked to hydraulic service brake problems and are mostly due to the part required for the recall repair not being available. A couple of the service brake complaints focus only on a lack of transparency by dealerships.
While most of the complaints about the recall part not being available are from owners who have not had problems, some have. For example, an owner from New York was involved in a crash after receiving the recall notification and discovering the repair wasn’t available. While traveling at about 25 mph, approaching a motorcycle, the brake pedal did not respond when depressed. The BMW crashed into the motorcycle, injuring the driver, who was transported by ambulance to hospital.
Prior to receiving the recall, an owner from Massachusetts experienced loud screeching noises and abnormal knocking sounds. It is not known whether these were related to the recall because the dealer told the owner the vehicle “was working as designed.” Needless to say, the part for the recall wasn’t available!
#1 Problems with Lack of Transparency
More than three months after the original brake/ESC recall was issued, BMW leased a Nevada resident what he describes as “a defective 2025 x5 sDrive40i vehicle with a known brake defect.” In his NHTSA complaint, he states that while dealerships tell customers there is no fix or solution to the brake/ESC problem, “they are currently building the exact same 2025 X5 model at their SC factory and shipping them. The vehicles produced (during) the last 2 weeks are shipping to dealers for delivery to customers without a recall or stop-sale order in place. BMW refuses to buy back my vehicle since they cannot tell me if/when they can fix the defective braking module that can substantially affect braking distance and also render dynamic stability control [VSC] inoperable which could lead to a crash and injuries to both occupants, other motorists, pedestrians, and/or property damage.”
This person is angry because dealers knew about the recall in February 2024, and leased the vehicle to him in May 2024, knowing that there was no remedy available. “This is beyond a reasonable amount of time to fix my vehicle or buy it back.”
#2 Problems with Lack of Transparency
An owner from New Jersey purchased a BMW X5 in April 2024. He understood they were buying the first of the 2025 models. “The dealer did not disclose that the 2024 was recalled for the Integrated Brake Module when we made the deal. They knew at the time there was a recall but did not disclose this information. I recently received a recall notice for my 2025 BMW X5. The dealer stated they do not have the part to fix the issue, and it is the same issue as the 2024s. I went to the dealership and asked them to take my vehicle back as I felt I was deceived. They offered me a price in which I would lose a substantial amount of money on a brand new car.”
His take on the situation is that, without disclosure, BMW is fitting new vehicles with the correct part and then selling vehicles that they knew had a defective part. At the same time, they couldn’t say when the new vehicle would be fixed or how many failures or accidents the problem had caused. This owner was told that BMW couldn’t buy the car back or sell any recalled vehicles.
“So, I cannot sell my vehicle at this time. I stated they sold me a defective vehicle with the old defective part and should take it back.” He was told, again, that “there is no remedy available at this time, (and) I cannot sell my car.” Ultimately, “They knew they could not sell the 2024 we requested and switched it with the 2025 that was not officially part of the recall yet, but built it with a defective part.”
Sunroofs Exploding
In March 2025, an owner from Florida was driving a seven-month-old 2025 X5 when there was “a very loud BOOM and the sound of wind. I stopped in the median and my windows were fine, but I realized that my sunroof exploded. Nothing hit the sunroof to cause it to explode.
“I have done some research and this has happened to other people on this same model. BMW has refused to recognize that this is a product or manufacturing defect and has refused to cover the cost of the repair. I am concerned about this, but I am more concerned that this is a safety issue. The sunroof was closed and the inside cover was also closed, so the window pieces did not fall on me. I use the car to visit my grandchildren and I am very concerned that if that had happened with them inside, they could have gotten hurt. BMW is taking advantage of insurance laws and washing their hands until someone gets hurt.”
An owner from Miami was traveling at 75 mph when the same thing happened. The outside temperature was 16 degrees Fahrenheit and the inside temperature, 68 degrees. There was a loud explosion and the panoramic roof glass shattered. According to the complaint, from the direction of the glass, it looked as if it exploded from the inside. The driver didn’t hear anything — “It happened out of nowhere.”
X5 Lemon? Get Help
Are you worried that your 2025 BMW X5 might be a lemon? Lemberg Law is here to help. We’ll evaluate your situation for free and explain your legal options.
Our team has helped countless vehicle owners reach fair settlements, and we may be able to help you too. The best part? You won’t pay any legal fees. Automakers, including BMW, are required by law to cover attorney costs in US lemon law cases.
Call our Helpline or complete our contact form to get started today.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
