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2022 BMW X5 problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
51%
34 of 69 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

51% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2022 BMW X5 are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.

Worse than 67% of the 1,789 model years we track (2010–2023).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026
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Does the 2022 BMW X5 have transmission problems?

Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 34 of 69 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2022 BMW X5 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (51%), and the largest group is filed under power train (24). For comparison, the 2021 scores 51% and the 2023 scores 39%. On a test drive, check for shuddering, slipping, delayed or harsh shifts, or a whine at speed. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
34
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
69
this model year
Fires reported
1
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
1
9 crashes · 3 injuries

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN24 · 35%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER17 · 25%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15 · 22%
ENGINE12 · 17%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE9 · 13%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7 · 10%

The years either side

2010
74%
84 of 149
2011
83%
222 of 331
2012
81%
178 of 295
2013
72%
86 of 162
2014
48%
44 of 98
2015
65%
86 of 152
2016
50%
34 of 74
2017
51%
34 of 74
2018
47%
32 of 72
2019
45%
77 of 191
2020
63%
62 of 112
2021
51%
52 of 108
2022
51%
34 of 69
2023
39%
12 of 33

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

Cleaner alternatives

Other luxury SUVs with no elevated signal in 2022

The percentage is each model year's drivetrain complaint share. No elevated signal describes the model year, not any one car; a well-kept example of a flagged model can still be the right buy, and any of these still needs an inspection.

What owners reported

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER09/21/2026
Starter stops working randomly and has trouble starting sometimes. This may be an issue when in traffic or at a light when the start stop feature could possibly not engage. Vehicle only has 40k miles. I took the vehicle to the dealer today and they said it is a known issue at BMW.
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE09/10/2026
xDrive all-wheel-drive has made the car slow down unexpectedly and produce a shudder, especially in slow corners and under gentle acceleration. The vehicle has also rapidly accelerated upon entering or exiting a freeway on ramp.
POWER TRAIN09/02/2026
Front differentials failed at 31k miles. Potential for the car to lock up or break down in highway. Problem was confirmed by independent shop.

Three of 34 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on the 2022 BMW X5 (1)

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive); 2019-2022 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M5…

This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.

Before you buy a 2022 BMW X5

Questions people ask about the 2022 BMW X5

Does the 2022 BMW X5 have transmission problems?

Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 34 of 69 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2022 BMW X5 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (51%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the transmission and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2022 BMW X5?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign on the 2022 BMW X5. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Which BMW X5 years are better?

Among the BMW X5 years we track, the 2023 (39%), the 2019 (45%) and the 2018 (47%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2022 (51%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car.

Should I buy a 2022 BMW X5?

That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2022 BMW X5 has an elevated transmission complaint pattern, so treat it as a car that needs proof: service records showing transmission work, a cold-start test drive, and an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the transmission. A well-kept or already-repaired example can be a fine car; an unknown one is a gamble.

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 2 body styles NHTSA files separately.