Front control arm bushes
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Shimmy under braking
Fix: Replace bushes / arms
€250–600
Common faults, service intervals and costs
BMW X5 (F15)
2013–2018
5
engines covered
18
known faults
34,905
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
19
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The BMW X5 (F15) was built from 2013 to 2018.
For this generation we cover 5 engines and 18 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Timing chain wear (rear-mounted): it usually appears at 150,000–280,000 km and costs €2,000–4,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: tyres and wheels (7.4 %), lights, wipers and visibility (4.0 %), suspension (2.1 %). It fails less often than average on: brakes, suspension, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0d (BMW N57) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 · BMW LL-04 · ~6.5 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0d (BMW B47) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · BMW LL-04 · ~5.2 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 · BMW LL-04 · ~5.2 L · every 15,000 km |
| 3.0 turbo petrol (BMW N55) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-40 · BMW LL-01 · ~6.5 L · every 10,000 km |
| 4.4 V8 twin-turbo (BMW N63) | Petrol | Chain | 0W-30 / 5W-30 · BMW LL-01 / LL-04 · ~8.5–10 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Run-flat tyres (harsh, expensive)
usually 0–300,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Harsh ride; expensive to replace
Fix: Budget accordingly
free / recall
Transfer case actuator motor (xDrive)
usually 80,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: 4x4 / DSC warning lights, grinding
Fix: Replace actuator motor / gear
€150–500
Faults by engine
3.0d (BMW N57)
Timing chain wear (rear-mounted)
usually 150,000–280,000 km · High risk
Signs: Whine or rattle from the gearbox end
Fix: Replace chain (gearbox out)
€2,000–4,000
EGR cooler recall
usually 60,000–200,000 km · High risk
model years 2011–2017 only
Signs: Coolant leak into the EGR — fire risk
Fix: Check recall status (free)
free / recall
Vacuum pump / oil filter housing leaks
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Oil leaks
Fix: Reseal
€200–600
2.0d (BMW B47)
EGR cooler recall (2015–2018)
usually 60,000–150,000 km · High risk
Signs: Coolant leaks into the EGR system
Fix: Check recall status; free replacement
free / recall
DPF saturation
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: DPF warning, frequent regeneration
Fix: Clean or replace
€300–1,800
1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47)
Timing chain at rear of engine
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Whirring or rattle from gearbox end at idle
Fix: Act immediately: gearbox-out repair
€1,800–3,500
Swirl flaps
usually 120,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Can break off into the engine
Fix: Replace or blank off
€200–500
EGR cooler / valve
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Power loss, EGR codes
Fix: Replace EGR components
€400–1,100
3.0 turbo petrol (BMW N55)
Electric water pump / thermostat
usually 80,000–150,000 km · High risk
Signs: Overheating warning without early signs
Fix: Replace pump and thermostat
€700–1,200
Oil filter housing & valve cover gaskets
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Oil smell, drips on the belt
Fix: Replace gaskets
€300–700
VANOS solenoids
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rough idle, cam timing codes
Fix: Clean or replace
€150–400
Charge pipe crack
usually 60,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Sudden power loss, whoosh
Fix: Replace with an aluminium pipe
€150–350
4.4 V8 twin-turbo (BMW N63)
Injectors and ignition coils (V8 twin-turbo)
usually 60,000–140,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Misfire, rough cold start, smell of fuel
Fix: Replace the injectors with the latest version, plus coils and plugs
€600–2,500
Turbo coolant and oil lines leaking (engine valley)
usually 80,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Smell of coolant, low coolant warning, oil smoke from the top of the engine
Fix: Replace the lines and seals in the engine valley
€600–2,000
Gearboxes
Steptronic (ZF 6HP / 8HP)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 3.0d (BMW N57) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| DPF health check (soot / ash load)Emissions | every 20,000 km | €0–60 |
| Transfer case / rear differential oilTransmission | every 80,000 km | €60–160 |
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Fuel filterFuel | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €40–110 |
| AWD coupling (Haldex) oil + filterTransmission | every 60,000 km or every 36 months | €60–150 |
| Automatic transmission fluidTransmission | every 90,000 km | €200–450 |
| Glow plugsEngine | every 100,000 km | €120–300 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 34,905 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1.1 % | 1.4 % | 1.6 % | 2.6 % | 2.4 % | 3.5 % |
| Suspension | 0.2 % | 1.1 % | 2.1 % | 3.0 % | 3.8 % | 5.2 % |
| Steering | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | 0.1 % | 0.2 % | 0.2 % | 0.3 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 5.1 % | 7.0 % | 7.4 % | 7.9 % | 7.5 % | 6.6 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 4.4 % | 3.6 % | 4.0 % | 5.3 % | 6.1 % | 7.2 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.1 % | 0.2 % | 0.5 % | 0.8 % | 0.9 % | 2.3 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.9 % | 1.0 % | 1.1 % | 1.3 % | 2.4 % | 3.5 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 319 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (19). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Airbag Takata Driver and/or Passenger Airbag Recall (Global VINs)18/12/2025 · R/2025/349
- Fire risk Replace the Engine Starter Motor07/10/2025 · R/2025/406
- Airbag Check Driver’s Airbag for Conversion Takata SDI & PSDI-521/10/2024 · R/2024/403
- Engine / loss of power Engine Starter Motor / DME Software Update14/08/2024 · R/2024/319
- Airbag The driver and front passenger airbags may deploy with too much explosive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released into the cabin.31/08/2023 · R/2023/224
- Airbag A possible degradation of the propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which may cause the inflator body to rupture.24/01/2023 · R/2023/016
- Fire risk Undetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold22/08/2022 · R/2022/255
- Fire risk The exhaust gas recirculation cooler may leak over time and cause thermal incident01/08/2022 · R/2022/206
The other recalls (11) are listed in the app.
Other generations
BMW X1 (E84) 2009–2015BMW X1 (F48) 2015–2022BMW X1 (U11) 2022–BMW X2 (F39) 2018–2023BMW X3 (E83) 2003–2010BMW X3 (F25) 2010–2017BMW X3 (G01) 2017–2024BMW X5 (E53) 1999–2006BMW X5 (E70) 2006–2013BMW X5 (G05) 2018–BMW X4 (F26) 2014–2018
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026