What Year BMW X5 Is The Most Reliable? (Answered)
Buying a reliable BMW X5 should be your goal if you are wanting a used luxury SUV. Unfortunately, many times luxury SUVs are not known for their reliability. This article will discuss the most reliable years for the BMW X5.
While researching BMW X5 reliability, be sure to save these related articles: BMW X5 Year You To Avoid, Best Years For The BMW X5, and visit the full BMW X5 page for more helpful articles.
The 2016 and 2017 models are the most reliable years for the BMW X5. Both vehicles have received relatively few complaints from consumers. Both years have received high ratings from Kelley Blue Book and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
If you plan on purchasing a luxury vehicle, such as the BMW X5, it is important to get the model that will be the most reliable. Certain years have more technical issues that require frequent and costly repairs. Learn why the 2016 and the 2017 are the most reliable years for the BMW X5 below.
2016 BMW X5
The BMW X5 was first released in 1999. This Sports Utility Vehicle became very popularity as the demand for larger vehicles increased. Since it was first released, BMW has redesigned the vehicle to be more efficient and reliable.
Complaints and Recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has only received 26 complaints for the 2016 BMW X5. No specific problem appeared to receive more complaints than others. In other words, problems were minor and not consistent among all vehicles produced that year.
Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued only three recalls for the 2016 BMW X5, the most recent being in July 2021. These recalls applied to the high pressure fuel pump, a melting intake manifold, and a loose ground cable.
The only complaint reported to Car Complaints was a singular account of excessive tire noise. As you can see, owners of the 2016 BMW X5 rarely experience anything more than minor problems.
According to the Kelley Blue Book, the 2016 BMW X5 has earned 4.5 out of 5 stars overall from consumer ratings. In terms of reliability, consumers rank the vehicle at 4.6 stars. Check out the table below to see how consumers ranked other aspects of the 2016 BMW X5.
| Value | 4.3 stars |
| Quality | 4.6 stars |
| Reliability | 4.6 stars |
| Performance | 4.8 stars |
| Comfort | 4.5 stars |
| Style | 4.8 stars |
Safety Ratings
As mentioned earlier, owning a reliable vehicle is more than just experiencing few problems, it also includes how safe the vehicle is to drive.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2016 BMW X5 a 5 out of 5 overall safety rating. The only place this vehicle didn’t receive the full five stars was the roll-over rating, which received 4 out of 5 stars. Nonetheless, the 2016 BMW X5 is an extremely safe vehicle to drive.
Cost to Maintain and Repair
Even the most reliable vehicles require routine maintenance and repairs. However, you might not consider the vehicle reliable if that maintenance costs thousands of dollars yearly.
According to Repair Pal, the 2016 BMW X5 owners spend around $1,000 in maintenance costs each year. Additionally, most repairs to this vehicle model will cost you less than a thousand dollars. In other words, you will not break the bank to keep this vehicle running reliably for a long time.
2017 BMW X5
In general, not much changes between one model year and the next. Perhaps this is why the 2016 and 2017 BMW X5s tie for the most reliable models.
There are only three differences between the 2016 and 2017 BMW X5s. The 2017 no longer features Active Steering but includes a wireless charging pad and a wireless hot-spot. These features make it the perfect option for families or businessmen (and women) alike.
Complaints and Recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received 33 complaints about the 2017 BMW X5 (seven more than the 2016). Like the 2016 model, no specific problem received more complaints than others. The only complaint reported to Car Complaints, regarded the sunroof. This complaint reported that the sunroof leaked during rainstorms. Once again, it is easy to see that the BMW X5 does not have any consistent problems.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has also issued four recalls for the 2017 BMW X5. Two of the recalls carried over from the 2016 model: a high pressure pump failure and a melting intake manifold. Other recalls include a mislabeled tire size and an air bag issue.
The Kelley Blue Book reports that consumers give the 2017 BMW X5 a 4.5 out of 5 overall rating. In terms of reliability, the consumers give the 2017 BMW X5 4.6 stars out of 5 stars. With these ratings in mind, you can trust that the 2017 BMW X5 will be a reliable vehicle for you and your family.
Check out the table below to see how the 2017 BMW X5 ranked among consumers in other categories.
| Value | 4.3 stars |
| Quality | 4.6 stars |
| Reliability | 4.6 stars |
| Performance | 4.8 stars |
| Comfort | 4.5 stars |
| Style | 4.8 stars |
As you can see, the 2017 BMW X5 had identical rankings to the 2016 model. Regardless of the vehicle you choose, you will have a reliable driver.
Safety Ratings
Like the 2016 model, the 2017 BMW X5 received the 5 out of 5 stars on its overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. Yet another similarity between the two vehicles, the 2017 BMW X5 only received 4 out of 5 stars on its roll-over rating.
Both models also feature the option to add a rearview camera. This upgrade increases the safety of this vehicle for the driver as well as those around the vehicle.
Cost to Maintain and Repair
One area where the 2016 and 2017 BMW X5 models differ is in cost to maintain and repair; however, this difference is minimal.
While the 2016 model cost $1,157 in annual repair costs, the 2017 model costs just $1,134 in annual repair costs, according to Repair Pal. The high costs associated with repairing BMWs likely result from the difficulty of repairing and accessing parts. In other words, the longer it takes the mechanic to fix the problem, the more you will spend on labor.