BMW X5 F15 (2013-2018): known problems and buying guide

Built
2013–2018
Median price
€21,900
Listings
1,095
Running cost per month
€642–€807
Power
231–381 PS (170–280 kW)
Reliability
2/5
DIY
2/5

Weak spots in the xDrive transfer case, rear air suspension and oil use, so check the car and its recall work before you buy.

All versions

VariantRunning cost per monthMedian priceListingsFuelEngine codesGearboxProduction years
xDrive30d, 258 PS, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research€734€20,600415Diesel N57D30AAutomatic (8)2013–2018
xDrive40d, 313 PS, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research€759€22,300216Diesel N57D30BAutomatic (8)2013–2018
M50d, 381 PS, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research€807€22,590177Diesel N57D30CAutomatic (8)2013–2018
sDrive25d, 231 PS, 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research€642€20,99067Diesel B47D20BAutomatic (8)2015–2018
xDrive25d, 231 PS, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research€649€20,99067Diesel B47D20BAutomatic (8)2015–2018

At a glance

  • Years: 2013 to 2018. Diesels (xDrive25d to M50d), petrols (xDrive35i, xDrive50i, X5 M) and the xDrive40e plug-in hybrid. ZF 8-speed automatic on all.
  • Reliability: 2/5. Transfer case judder, rear air suspension faults and oil loss lower the score.
  • DIY: 2/5. Most faults need a lift and a workshop, and stored fault codes need a scanner.
  • Prefer: a car with proof that the EGR cooler recall work was done, and a transfer case that drives smoothly on a test drive.
  • Avoid: cars with judder under part load, a rear end that sits low, or oil on the floor.

Engines and gearboxes

  • N47D20D, 2.0 diesel 218 PS, sDrive25d and xDrive25d (2013-2015): the timing chain and other faults are in its guide. The EGR cooler recall covers 4-cylinder diesels built from April 2015. See the BMW N47 diesel.
  • B47D20B, 2.0 diesel 231 PS, xDrive25d (2015-2018): the turbo, injector and DPF faults are in its guide. The EGR cooler recall covers 4-cylinder diesels built from April 2015. See the BMW B47 diesel.
  • N57D30A, 3.0 diesel 258 PS, xDrive30d (2013-2018): the EGR cooler recall covers 6-cylinder diesels built up to June 2015. Other faults are in its guide. See the BMW N57 diesel.
  • N57D30B, 3.0 diesel 313 PS, xDrive40d (2013-2018): the same recall and guide as the N57D30A. See the BMW N57 diesel.
  • N57D30C, 3.0 tri-turbo diesel 381 PS, M50d (2013-2018): the same recall and guide as the N57D30A. See the BMW N57 diesel.
  • N55B30A, 3.0 petrol 306 PS, xDrive35i (2013-2018): oil loss and leaks, see Oil loss and leaks.
  • N63B44B, 4.4 V8 petrol 450 PS, xDrive50i (2013-2018): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
  • S63B44B, 4.4 V8 petrol 575 PS, X5 M (2015-2018): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
  • N20B20A, 2.0 petrol with electric motor, 313 PS system, xDrive40e (2015-2018): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
  • ZF 8-speed automatic (8HP): the faults are in its guide. See the ZF 8HP automatic.

Known issues

Issue Affects Typical km Repair cost
Transfer case judder xDrive models (not the rear-drive sDrive25d) About 120,000 km (auto.ru) No confirmed price
Rear air suspension faults Cars with rear air suspension About 80,000 km on average (auto.ru) No confirmed price
Suspension parts fail the inspection All cars Not stated No confirmed price
Oil loss and leaks All engines; N55 (xDrive35i) named Not stated; N55 crankcase valve about 50,000 km (auto.ru) No confirmed price

Before you buy

  1. Test-drive at part throttle and pull away from a stop. Bad result: judder or jerks under part load. Ask for transfer-case oil change records.
  2. Park overnight, then check the car height and listen to the compressor on start-up. Bad result: the rear end sits low, or the compressor runs for long periods. A scanner reads stored level-control faults.
  3. Check for fresh oil under the car and on the engine, and ask for oil change records. Bad result: fresh oil, drips, or a low level since the last service. On an N55, check the rear crankshaft seal.
  4. Lift the car and check the axle mounts, springs and shock absorbers. Bad result: cracked or broken springs, or worn mounts and dampers that the inspection will flag.
  5. Ask a BMW dealer or the KBA to check the car's VIN for open campaigns, including the EGR cooler and rear child lock recalls. Bad result: an open campaign, or no proof that the work was done.

Running costs

Operational€211
Workshop€214
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)€265
Total per month€690
New-car depreciation (not included)€164

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Market

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings
1,095
25th percentile
€18,500
Median price
€21,900
75th percentile
€25,999
Median mileage
188,000 km
Median first registration
2016
Dealer share
60.8%
Price at 100,000 km
€29,088

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.

In detail

Transfer case judder

The transfer case splits drive between the front and rear axles. Judder under part load is the symptom. Mixed tyre sizes are especially harmful. Uneven tyre pressure, different tread depth and old oil speed up the wear, according to Gebrauchtwagenberater. Auto.ru names a stretched drive chain as the most common transfer case fault. The dashboard then shows codes and acceleration is poor. Auto.ru puts the chain life at about 120,000 km.

Which cars: all xDrive models. The rear-drive sDrive25d is not affected.

Cost: no confirmed price.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, Auto.ru

Rear air suspension faults

Rear air springs lose air, and the rear end sits low after parking. Auto.ru puts the average life of the air suspension components at about 80,000 km. The rear air suspension is optional on the F15.

A stuck or shorted compressor relay can keep the compressor running. In one DRIVE2 garage job, the compressor motor burned and nearby parts melted. The shop rebuilt the compressor with a one-year warranty.

Which cars: cars with rear air suspension.

Fix: replace the leaking spring, and rebuild or replace a burned compressor.

Cost: no confirmed price.

Sources: Auto.ru, DRIVE2 PnevmoPro

Suspension parts fail the inspection

Inspectors often flag the axle mounting at the vehicle inspection. Autohaus blames the car's weight. Firmenauto says the axle springs and dampers are a repeat finding. Carwiki cites a 2021 TÜV report with broken rear axle springs. Auto.ru puts front lower control arm wear at about 70,000 km.

Which cars: all cars.

Cost: no confirmed price.

Sources: Firmenauto, Autohaus, Carwiki, Auto.ru

Oil loss and leaks

Oil loss is a repeat finding. Firmenauto calls it a long-running issue, Autohaus warns of expensive repairs, and Carwiki found excessive oil loss at the inspection. Gebrauchtwagenberater lists N55 oil loss as a problem not yet solved.

On the N55 (xDrive35i), the rear crankshaft seal leaks. Auto.ru blames the crankcase ventilation valve, which lasts at most about 50,000 km.

Which cars: all engines. Gebrauchtwagenberater and Auto.ru name the N55.

Cost: no confirmed price.

Sources: Firmenauto, Autohaus, Carwiki, Auto.ru

Recalls

Country Code Years What is done
Europe (Auto motor und sport, Rechtecheck, Carwiki, Gebrauchtwagenberater, Auto Express) not given 4-cylinder diesel built April 2015 to November 2016; 6-cylinder diesel built up to June 2015 Diesel EGR cooler can leak. Glycol and soot can cause glowing particles, and in extreme cases a fire. The cooler is checked and replaced where needed.
UK and Germany (Auto Express, Carwiki, Gebrauchtwagenberater) not given Built December 2013 to March 2014 Rear soft-close door can open despite the child lock. Remedy not stated.

Maintenance

  • Tyres: fit the same size on all four wheels and keep the pressure even. Mixed sizes are named as especially harmful for the transfer case.
  • Transfer case oil: ask for change records. Old oil is named as a wear factor.
  • Engine oil: check the level between services, because oil loss is a repeat finding.
  • Rear air suspension: expect the air springs to need replacing at about 80,000 km on average. Change the compressor relay every three years, as a DRIVE2 garage advises.

Sources

English

German

Russian