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2015 BMW X5

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.

BMW X5
Pictured: 2019 BMW X5 M50d Automatic 3.0. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Body styles
Xdrive35d 4dr SUV, Xdrive35i 4dr SUV, Xdrive50i 4dr SUV
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
Horsepower
255–567 hp
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Diesel, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
27 combined · 24 city / 31 hwy
Length
192.5 in
Curb weight
4,791–5,150 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 27 MPG combined — 48% better than the average 2015 standard SUV (18.2 MPG).
  • Strong performanceUp to 567 hp, versus about 300 hp for similar 2015 models.
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints151 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 19 for similar models — most often about the engine.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 3). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 21 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2015 BMW X5 is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.4L 8-cyl turbo) and all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive.

It measures about 193 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,930 lb (Xdrive35d 4dr SUV).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (24 city / 31 highway), 48% better than the 2015 standard SUV average of 18.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 151 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2015

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2014 X5 — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 X5 →

Trims, performance & features

Engine255–300 hp3.0L 6-cyl
Engine443–567 hp4.4L 8-cyl
DriveAWD/4WD

Trims

xDrive35dxDrive35ixDrive50iX5 M

Built in: Greer, South Carolina

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2015 X5 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Xdrive35d 4dr SUV192.5 in76.4 in69.3 in115.4 in64.6 / 65 in4,930 lb50/50
Xdrive35i 4dr SUV192.5 in76.4 in69.3 in115.4 in64.6 / 65 in4,791 lb50/50
Xdrive50i 4dr SUV192.5 in76.4 in69.3 in115.4 in64.6 / 65 in5,150 lb50/50

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
X5 xDrive35d Diesel3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive24 / 31 / 27+48%$3,550381
X5 sDrive35i3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)Rear-Wheel Drive19 / 27 / 22+18%$3,750412
X5 xDrive35i3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21+15%$3,900420
X5 xDrive50i4.4L 8-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive15 / 22 / 17-7%$4,850516
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.2 MPG2015 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2015 BMW X5.

Similar 2015 standard SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 BMW X5 (this car)27 MPGNot rated6
2015 Land Rover Range Rover24 MPGNot rated11
2015 Porsche Cayenne23 MPGNot rated3
2015 BMW X330 MPGNot rated7
2015 Lexus RX29 MPGNot rated1
2015 Audi Q722 MPGNot rated2
2015 Porsche Macan19 MPGNot rated7

Recalls (6)

Fuel System, Diesel · Nov 19, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V907000 · 50,404 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Fuel System, Diesel › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Jul 29, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V586000 · 11,216 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) · Oct 25, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V755000 · 44,368 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Sep 21, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V683000 · 3,606 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Air Bags · Mar 13, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V147000 · 46 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Seats · Oct 17, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V650000 · 11 vehicles

Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 X5 vehicles manufactured September 12, 2014,to September 21, 2014 and equipped with the optional rear comfort seat. The left rear seat belt attachment point in the affected vehicles may not have been sufficiently welded.
Risk
In the event of a crash, the seat belt attachment could break and fail to restrain a seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left rear seat frame, free of charge. The recall began November 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or [email protected].
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 BMW X5 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

151Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
6Involved a crash
7Involved a fire
6Injuries reported
72,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine42
Fuel/Propulsion System30
Fuel System, Diesel20
Unknown Or Other19
Air Bags14
Power Train13
Electrical System12
Steering7
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/07: 123/08: 223/09: 123/10: 223/12: 224/01: 224/02: 224/05: 224/06: 124/07: 124/08: 224/09: 224/10: 124/11: 324/12: 325/01: 225/02: 325/05: 125/06: 125/07: 125/11: 125/12: 226/06: 126/09: 323/0723/1024/0224/0724/1025/0125/0625/12max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 BMW X5 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 42 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Fuel/Propulsion System — 30 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  4. Fuel System, Diesel — 20 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 72,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 BMW X5. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other X5 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 X526–Not rated00
2026 X525194.1 inNot rated228
2025 X525194.1 in★★★★★563
2024 X525194.1 in★★★★★8145
2023 X523194.1 in★★★★★433
2022 X523194.1 in★★★★★175
2021 X523194.1 in★★★★★12111
2020 X523194.1 in★★★★★11113
2019 X522194.1 in★★★★★13193
2018 X525192.5 in★★★★★573
2017 X525192.5 inNot rated675
2016 X525192.5 inNot rated574

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →