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BMW X5 X5 sDrive25d High Executive common faults.

2013–2018, SUV, diesel, 231 HP.

The fault list covers: B47D20 engine, ZF8HP transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

8 fault write-ups. All are important. 10 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

8 important faults

critical4

Diesel high pressure pump: power loss and engine shutdown while driving

critical

The high pressure pump of these common rail diesels (Bosch CP4) can fail while driving. The characteristic course is not gradual: a "Drivetrain fault" message appears on the dash, and within a few seconds the power is gone, on the motorway too. Afterwards the engine often cranks but will not start.

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What makes the repair expensive: once the inside of the pump wears, metal debris travels through the rail and contaminates the entire fuel system. At that point replacing the pump is not enough: the injectors, the rails, the tank and the lines go with it. That is the difference between a "pump replacement" and a "full system replacement" quote, that is what you should ask about.

The maker started a recall for this in the United States (NHTSA 21V586000, 2014 to 2018 328d / X5 xDrive35d / 535d / 740Ld / X3 xDrive28d). The same campaign did not run in Europe, even though the same pump works in the 320d/520d/X3 20d versions that are common right across Europe. The recall does not cover these cars.

between 79,000 and 248,000 km

What to check

  • Ask whether there has ever been a "Drivetrain fault" message or a loss of power while driving
  • Ask for the service history: if the high pressure pump was replaced, check whether the injectors and the lines were replaced with it. If not, the debris may still be in the system
  • After a cold start listen to the engine at idle: irregular running or smoke is suspect
3 more steps in the write-up

Diesel EGR cooler: cracking, coolant in the intake, fire risk

critical

The internal fins of the exhaust gas recirculation cooler crack over time, and glycol coolant leaks into the intake, where it mixes with soot. The sticky mixture can ignite at high temperature: it can melt the plastic intake manifold and, in extreme cases, cause an engine bay fire.

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The maker recalled the 2013 to 2018 four and six cylinder diesels, roughly 800,000 cars worldwide. The first repair attempt proved insufficient, and the leak returned in several cases: the cooler fitted since 2022, from a different supplier, is the valid fix.

So "the recall was carried out" is not enough on its own: you have to check when, and which repair was done. A first round repair does not by itself rule the problem out.

The early symptoms are white, sweet smelling exhaust smoke, slowly dropping coolant, and a rough idle.

It shows up on diesels built between 2013 and 2018. The earlier M57 is not covered by the recall.

between 108,000 and 222,000 km

What to check

  • Check the level in the expansion tank, and ask whether it has needed topping up
  • After a cold start watch the exhaust: persistent white smoke and a sweet smell mean the coolant is burning
  • Ask for the service book and find the EGR cooler recall entry: Check the date too
2 more steps in the write-up

B47 diesel: the timing chain stretches on the early model years

critical

On the early model years the timing chain of the B47 stretches faster than intended. The chain tensioner compensates for the stretch for a while and then no longer can: the chain jumps, the valve timing goes off, and in a severe case engine damage follows. The first sign is a rattling, clacking noise on a cold start that goes quiet after one to three seconds. On the B47 the chain sits at the front of the engine, not at the rear as on its predecessor, the N47. The replacement is therefore considerably less, between 1,200 and 1,800 euro, against 2,000 to 2,500 euro on the N47; if the chain has already jumped, the repair can run up to 4,500 euro. The risk is highest on units built before the end of 2015, with a reported rate of 3 to 5 per cent. 2016 was better but cases remained, and between July and December 2016 an improved chain tensioner was phased in. After mid-2016 the problem is rare, below one per cent. The engine has been in almost every four-cylinder diesel BMW since 2014, from the 1 Series to the 5 Series and from the X1 to the X4. The build date therefore says more here than the model.

above 120,000 km1,200–4,500 EUR

What to check

  • Start the engine cold and listen for the rattling noise in the first seconds
  • Ask for the build date, because units built before the end of 2015 are the risky ones
  • Ask whether the chain or the tensioner has been replaced, and ask for the invoice
2 more steps in the write-up

B47 / B57 diesel: particulate filter and turbo on short trips

critical

The B47 replaced the N47, and the maker fixed the timing chain problem. The two remaining risks on this modern diesel depend on how the car was used.

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The first is the particulate filter. On short urban trips the regeneration cannot finish, and the filter clogs. The second is the turbo. With extended oil change intervals its bearings wear.

On this engine the service history and the type of use tell you more than the odometer. On a 200,000 km car driven on motorways and serviced often, the filter and the turbo can be in better shape than on a 90,000 km city-only car.

Where turbo wear leads in the worst case: a runaway engine. If the turbo shaft seal fails, engine oil enters the intake on the compressor side. A diesel burns that too, and this is different from a petrol engine: a diesel controls torque with the quantity of fuel injected, and it has no throttle. Once the engine runs on its own oil, cutting the injection and switching off the ignition will not stop it. The revs climb on their own until the engine destroys itself for lack of lubrication.

If this happens while driving, turning the key does not help. The only thing that works is cutting off the air: cover or plug the intake, or discharge a dry powder extinguisher into the intake tract. On a manual car you can also stall it: hold the parking brake and the brake pedal, select a high gear, and release the clutch quickly so the drivetrain chokes the engine.

This is not common, and it can happen on any turbo diesel, not only on this engine. On this engine the turbo bearing and seal wear. The warning signs are blue smoke under acceleration, an unexplained drop in oil level, and an oily charge air pipe.

What to check

  • Ask how the car was used: short daily trips or longer runs?
  • Read the fault codes for particulate filter regeneration and differential pressure
  • On a longer test drive watch the power delivery and the smoke under load
5 more steps in the write-up

expensive4

XDrive transfer case (ATC): binding in corners, plastic actuator gear

expensive

The heart of the four wheel drive in the longitudinal engine BMW X models (X3, X5 and the X1 E84) is the ATC transfer case. It has two faults, and you can feel both while driving.

Show the rest

The first is wear of the clutch pack and the fluid: in a slow, tight corner (a car park, a roundabout) the car jerks and "hops", as if the drive grabbed and let go. You can also get a jerk when pulling away on a slope. The second is the plastic actuator gear: the position signal is lost, the brake, ABS and 4x4/DSC lights come on together on the dash, and a clicking is audible from the transfer case when you switch the ignition off.

Workshops often propose a full transfer case replacement straight away. But the plastic gear can be replaced on its own, and the wrong tyre size or a mixed set of tyres also imitates the jerking, because the transfer case then slips continuously. So clear up the tyres and the fault code first, before you pay for a transfer case replacement.

between 72,000 and 175,000 km

What to check

  • In a slow, tight corner (a car park) watch for jerking, binding and a "skipping" feel
  • When pulling away on light throttle, can you feel the drivetrain jerk
  • Watch the dash: 4x4, ABS, DSC and brake lights together point at the actuator
4 more steps in the write-up

Rear air suspension: the back sinks overnight, overworked compressor

expensive

On the E70/F15 (and the air sprung G05) X5 the self levelling air spring on the rear axle starts to leak over time. The characteristic picture: after standing for a long time the back sits lower than the nose; on startup the compressor runs for minutes, the car comes up, then sinks again hours later. Sinking on one side points more to that corner's air spring or to the valve block, while sinking on both points to the shared supply (compressor, dryer, lines).

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A "compressor replacement" on its own often does not fix it: if the air spring keeps leaking, the new pump fails soon too. Air suspension is not fitted to every version, so the equipment list has to be checked separately.

The repair starts with finding the leak (soapy water, ride height sensor, valve block), not with replacing parts blind.

above 100,000 km

What to check

  • Look at the car cold, after standing at least one night: does the back sit lower than the nose, or does one rear corner sink
  • Listen to the compressor after startup: how long it runs, and whether the back comes up
  • Measure the arch height at all four corners: a difference means a sensor or a spring fault
3 more steps in the write-up

ZF 8HP automatic: mechatronics unit and connector sleeve leak

expensive

The ZF eight speed automatic (BMW Steptronic 8HP family) has two faults, and you can feel both.

Show the rest

The first is the mechatronics unit: the valve body and the control electronics in one. If the solenoids or the pressure regulation weaken, the gearbox jerks, the D/R engagement is delayed, it logs a gear ratio fault code, and finally drops into limp mode (often staying in 2nd or 3rd).

The second, and often misdiagnosed, is the connector sleeve of the mechatronics unit: the O-ring of the plastic sleeve ages, and ATF leaks from the side of the housing, exactly where the wiring harness enters. This is easy to mistake for a rear crankshaft seal. The trail starts from the driver's side of the housing, not from the clutch side.

On cars built in 2023 there was also a separate safety recall for a welding fault in the mechatronics unit. That is not the same as the wear related sleeve and the valves.

Check the fluid level, the area around the sleeve and the fault codes first; do not accept a "full gearbox replacement" quote straight away.

above 120,000 km

What to check

  • On the test drive watch for delayed D/R engagement, a jerk when shifting, and limp mode (a stuck gear)
  • Look at the driver's side of the gearbox housing where the wiring harness enters: an ATF trail from the sleeve is suspect
  • Do not confuse it with a rear crankshaft seal leak: the direction of the trail decides
3 more steps in the write-up

Powered tailgate: breaking wiring at the hinge, spindle drive

expensive

The automatic tailgate (an option) is covered by a maker service bulletin on the E70: the wiring harness around the hinge wears through, the spindle drive fails, the lock sticks or the connectors corrode. The symptom: the tailgate stops halfway, moves in one direction only, only clicks when you press the button, or the lower part of the split tailgate does not close fully.

Show the rest

The fault is often not the "expensive motor" but the wiring fraying at the hinge. And that can only be found with the trim off. If the seller says "the spindle has already been replaced" but the wiring is damaged, the fault will come back.

This applies only to versions with the powered tailgate.

What to check

  • Open and close the powered tailgate five times: from the key, the interior button and the button in the boot
  • Watch whether it stops halfway, reverses, or only clicks at the lock
  • On a split tailgate, try the closing of the lower part separately: there should be no gap left
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

BMW X5 X5 sDrive25d High Executive

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall10 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 11 July 2024

24V527000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE11 July 2024 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.

Remedy: The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

The authority's notice

23V797000AIR BAGS:FRONTALAIR BAGS:FRONTAL24 November 2023 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, X5 sDrive35i, X5 xDrive35i, and 2015 X4 xDrive35i vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

The authority's notice

21V907000FUEL SYSTEM, DIESELFUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL19 November 2021 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon, 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV, and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV diesel vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold.

Risk: A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755. Vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on January 18, 2022. The remedy is expected to be available in June 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 6, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

The authority's notice

21V586000FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPFUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP29 July 2021 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, X5 xDrive35d, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, and 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.

Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 14, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

The authority's notice

18V755000ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)25 October 2018 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d and 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. If the EGR cooler leaks internally, the coolant can mix with diesel engine soot. The high EGR temperatures may result in these particles possibly smoldering and melting the intake manifold.

Risk: The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the EGR cooler as necessary. If a leak has already occurred, the engine intake manifold will also be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

The authority's notice

16V683000AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE21 September 2016 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 BMW X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, X3 xDrive28d, X4 xDrive28i and X4 xDrive35i vehicles, and model year 2014-2015 X5 xDrive35i, X5 sDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, and 2014 X5 xDrive35d vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver's frontal air bag inflator that may have been improperly welded.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator housing could separate from the base plate and result in metal striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began on November 1, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

The authority's notice

15V147000AIR BAGSAIR BAGS13 March 2015 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 BMW X5 xDrive 35d Sports Activity Vehicles (SAV) manufactured August 19, 2014, to February 16, 2015, and 2014-2015 BMW X5 xDrive 35i, X5 sDrive 35i, X5 xDrive 50i, Sports Activity Vehicles (SAV) manufactured August 28, 2013, to February 16, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Head Protection System (HPS) air bag may not be securely connected to the air bag inflator gas generator.

Risk: Without a secure connection to the inflator, the HPS air bags may have insufficient inflation during a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Head Protection System, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

The authority's notice

14V202000LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESLATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES17 April 2014 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 X5 SAV vehicles manufactured December 12, 2013, through March 10, 2014, and equipped with the Soft Close Automatic (SCA) option. The rear side door lock mechanisms may not have been manufactured to correct tolerances and when the inside door handle is pulled, the previously engaged child safety lock can disengage.

Risk: A disengaged child safety lock would allow the rear seat occupant to pull the door handle twice and open the door while the vehicle is parked or in motion, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear side door locks and any affected door locks will be replaced, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

The authority's notice

A12/01382/23Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The driver or passenger airbag inflator may malfunction. In the event of an airbag activation this can lead to the release of fragments from the generator housing, increasing the risk of injury. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/01981/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

A seam on the inflator housing of the driver airbag may not have been correctly welded. In case of accident, when the airbag is deployed, the inflator can burst, releasing metal parts which could cause injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

B47D20

170 kW (231 HP) · diesel

Model year2014–

ZF8HP · 8-speed automatic, longitudinal (ZF 8HP45/50/51)

automatic · 8 speed

Torque limit500 Nm
MakerZF

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
X5 sDrive25d High Executive
Body
SUV
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
1995 cc
Power
170 kW (231 HP)
Drive
RWD
Production
2013–2018

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)

  • Engine oil and oil filter (BMW condition-based service)

    • LongLife25,000 km or 2 years

  • Automatic gearbox oil (ZF 8HP / 6HP)

    • 160,000 km

  • Fuel filter, diesel

    • 60,000 km or 2 years
All F15 versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms