There are 3 owner-reported body & structure complaints for the 2013 BMW X5in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
I own a 2013 BMW X5 with the soft-close door feature. On June 2, 2021, I was making a right-hand turn when the driver's door flew all the way open without warning. The door then slammed shut as I finished the turn, injuring my left wrist. It was determined that the soft-close door latch mechanism is failing and needs replaced. The soft-close latch does not consistently secure the driver's door. No warning was given by the vehicle to indicate the door is open or not latched properly. I informed BMWNA of the issue and they declined to offer any assistance with the repair, estimated to cost $900.
THE CARE WAS OFF OVERNIGHT IN THE GARAGE UNLOCKED. IN THE AM, IN THE GARAGE, THERE WAS A SMELL OF BURNT ELECTRONICS. NOTICED SOMETHING ON THE BEHIND THE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE AND THE SAME THING DRIPPED DOWN THE DOOR AND SOME ON THE FLOOR. LOOKING CLOSER AT IT, IT APPEARS THAT SOMETHING OVERHEATED IN THE DOOR HANDLE AND MELTED A HOLE IN THE BACKSIDE OF THE HANDLE WHICH CAUSED SOME MELTED MATERIAL, PLASTIC OR RUBBER TO SPRAY ON THE DOOR PANEL AND DRIP DOWN THE DOOR. I CHECKED THE FUSE THAT CORRESPONDS TO THE DOOR HANDLE, SPECIFICALLY THE COMFORT ACCESS FEATURE AND FOUND THE FUSE TO BE BLOWN. THIS ALL HAPPENED OVERNIGHT WITH THE CAR NOT RUNNING OR OTHERWISE OCCUPIED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FIRE AND SUSPECT THAT THE FUSE DOING IT'S JOB PREVENTED A FIRE FROM OCCURING.
PLASTIC FIRE WALL BULKHEAD BETWEEN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CABIN FILTER HOUSING LOCATION, BULKHEAD IS PRONE TO BREAKAGE AND WILL SNAP BETWEEN THE UPPER SECTIONS AND THE LOWER LETTING FUMES TRAVEL INTO THE PASSAGES COMPARTMENT. ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHEMICAL FUMES WILL IS SMELLED IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AND THE ENGINE IS HOT. SMELL DISSIPATES DURING DRIVING AT HIGH WAY SPEEDS. BMW PART NUMBERS 51717169419,51717169420,5171769421. THIS IS COMMON ON ALL E70 X5 BMW, THE PLASTIC BULKHEAD SEPARATES DUE TO THE THIN AMOUNT OF PLASTIC BETWEEN THE UPPER SECTION AND THE OFFSET LOWER SECTIONS OF THE BULKHEAD PARTS. PRESSURE FROM THE HOOD AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE FAILURE OF THESE PARTS. A SHOP REPAIR OF THIS PROBLEM COULD COST UP TO 500$ AND WOULD BRAKE AGAIN LATER ON.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026