NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2019 BMW X5 Safety Ratings
The 2019 BMW X5 scores 67 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Below Average), with a 4-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 13 recalls, and 175 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2019 BMW X5 achieves a NHTSA Safety Index of 67/100, placing it in the Below Average band. This rating is significantly influenced by a defect record encompassing 13 recall campaigns. While the vehicle's crash-test scores are strong, the overall safety assessment is undercut by a limited array of avoidance technologies. This model year warrants careful scrutiny due to its recall history and specific safety omissions.
The 2019 BMW X5 received a NHTSA Safety Index of 67 out of 100 and a 5-star NHTSA side-crash rating, according to federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 93 SUVs from 2019 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2019 BMW X5 ranks 93 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 67 / 100 (Below Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 4 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 15.9% |
| Recalls on file | 13 |
| Owner complaints | 175 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 93 of 93 SUVs tested for 2019 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2019 BMW X5?
The 2019 BMW X5 presents a safety profile defined by imbalance, reflected in its Below Average 67/100 NHTSA Safety Index score. While its crash protection component earned a solid 61 out of 70 points, anchored by a 5-star side impact rating and consistent 4-star scores in other categories, the vehicle's active safety and defect records significantly detract from its overall standing. Avoidance technology scored a mere 2 out of 10. This model year was released without forward collision warning or lane departure warning as standard equipment, leaving electronic stability control as the only active-safety feature recognized in our scoring. The defect record component added only 4 out of 20 points, reflecting 13 recall campaigns. These included two distinct campaigns for starter assembly faults, a moonroof assembly concern, an airbag instrument-panel defect isolated to a single vehicle, and an issue with the backup camera sensing system. The recall footprint for this model continued to expand well beyond its initial year of sale. No prior-year Safety Index is available for comparison, preventing a year-over-year analysis of its safety performance.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2019 BMW X5 perform in crash tests?
The 2019 BMW X5 earned a 5-star rating in NHTSA's side-impact crash tests. Overall, the vehicle achieved 4 out of 5 stars. Its frontal crash rating was 4 stars, matching the rollover assessment. The measured rollover risk for the X5 was 16 percent, and the dynamic tip test concluded with a "No Tip" outcome.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 14088
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2019 BMW X5 have any recalls?
Yes, 13 recall campaigns cover this model year. Components include the electrical system starter assembly, addressed in two separate campaigns, the sun and moonroof assembly, a frontal air bag linked to an incorrectly manufactured instrument panel on one specific vehicle, and a backup camera sensing system. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the available campaign summaries, but shoppers should verify current status by VIN.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY25V644000
Risk: An overheated starter motor can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. This recall includes vehicles repaired under recall 24V576 and those owners will need to have their vehicle repaired again. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 1
Reported 2025-09-25
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY24V576000
Risk: A starter motor that overheats can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2024-08-01
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY22V267000
Risk: A sunroof that closes without the key fob present inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the roof function control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2022-04-20
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL21V520000
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: A dealer will replace the instrument panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 26, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2021-07-08
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA21V096000
Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2021-02-19
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC21V062000
Risk: A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2021-02-10
STEERING20V434000
Risk: A loose bearing plate can affect the vehicle's handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering column shaft bearing plate and properly attach or replace it, as necessary, free of charge. BMW telephoned owners and all of the vehicles have been remedied. No owner notification letter is necessary. Please contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2020-07-28
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA19V684000
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Reported 2019-09-27
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS19V541000
Risk: Loose bolts may allow a wheel to detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and tighten the left side wheel bolts, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2019-07-23
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP19V513000
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2019-07-03
SEATS19V096000
Risk: The improperly tightened bolts can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the attachment bolts for the driver's seat and seat belt, and torque them to the correct specifications, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2019-02-13
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS18V918000
Risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: BMW notified owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger sun visor, replacing the visors as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 4, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2018-12-19
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2019 BMW X5?
Owners have filed 175 unverified complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently alleged problem area is the electrical system, cited in 68 reports, followed by the engine at 46 and steering at 18. Reported incidents include 4 alleged crashes and 1 alleged fire. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts.
175 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2019 BMW X5?
With 13 recall campaigns on record, the 2019 BMW X5 presents a notable volume of post-sale safety actions. Campaigns issued as recently as 2024 and 2025 underscore the ongoing nature of these safety concerns. Any prospective owner should confirm, via the VIN and a franchised dealer, that all necessary remedies have been completed to address these outstanding issues.
- The 2019 BMW X5 carries 13 NHTSA recall campaigns, with starter assembly recalls issued as recently as 2024 and 2025, meaning open remedies may still exist on unserviced vehicles.
- NHTSA awarded this model year a 5-star side-crash rating, the only perfect score in the test suite, while frontal and rollover each came in at 4 stars with a 16 percent rollover risk.
- The avoidance-technology score of 2 out of 10 reflects the absence of standard forward collision warning and lane departure warning on this model year, a meaningful gap compared to competitors that equipped those features as standard in 2019.
- Owners have submitted 175 unverified NHTSA complaints, with the electrical system alone accounting for 68 of those reports, a concentration worth investigating against the open recall history before finalizing any purchase.
RANKINGSWhere the 2019 BMW X5 places
The 2019 BMW X5 qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2019 BMW X5 safety questions
Was the 2019 BMW X5 crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2019 BMW X5, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 67 out of 100, placing it in the Below Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2019 BMW X5 crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2019 BMW X5 earned 4 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 15.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2019 BMW X5 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 13 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2019 BMW X5. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 BMW X5?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 175 owner complaints are on file for the 2019 BMW X5. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other X5 years
Rivals in SUV (2019)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Tesla Model X 60d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X 75d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X 90d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X P100d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X P90d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Nissan Murano | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 14088), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the BMW X5 2019.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 93 of 93 in the SUV class for 2019.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.