NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data
The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.
As of August 2026, the NHTSA has logged 49 complaints against the 2022 BMW X5. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2022 BMW X5 complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2022 BMW X5 has generated 153 NHTSA complaints and has 1 active recall. If your 2022 BMW X5 has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. BMW pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.
Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2022 BMW X5 have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 19 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “Like numerous other BMW owners, my transfer case is failing in my vehicle. It’s actively causing jerking/shuddering/locking up at low speeds and while making turns. This poses a significant danger to the driver and passengers in the vehicle, and other drivers as well while turning or trying to merge with traffic. I’ve brought the car into the dealer had the transfer case fluid changed according to the service bulletin that exists for this problem but it persists. I’ve brought the vehicle back into the dealer and told that now BMW suggests paying for another fluid change. This is obviously a known problem (thus the service bulletin), it’s persisted with models like mine for over 5 years, had cost numerous owners significant amounts of monies out of pocket, and poses a safety risk given the transfer case is a foundational component of these vehicles’ drive trains. Finally it’s a problem BMW openly admits they caused with improper fluid in the component. I believe the above meets all criteria for a formal recall that BMW should cover (or reimburse) the costs for given their negligence and the risks it poses. Can you confirm why this hasn’t risen to a formal recall? And confirm the steps you’re actively taking to elevate this to that status with BMW?” (NHTSA Complaint #11697310)
The 2022 BMW X5 has generated 15 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “Windshield cracks with slightest chip Happened twice” (NHTSA Complaint #11709532)
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2022 BMW X5 have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 6 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “While driving, the vehicle displayed a ‘Drivetrain malfunction’ warning on the dashboard and began jerking. I safely pulled over and turned off the vehicle. Immediately after stopping, there was a distinct, strong electrical burning smell coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized BMW dealership. The dealer diagnosed a catastrophic failure of the starter motor. The vehicle’s computer logged fault codes 21611A (excessive counter-torque), 21A511 (Start system: Timeout), and 216119 (Line disconnection). These codes confirm the starter motor suffered a severe electrical overload and thermal event. This premature failure and fire hazard identically matches the safety risks outlined in BMW’s recent massive starter motor recalls (such as NHTSA Recalls 25V-636 and 26V-056), but my specific vehicle is currently excluded from those recall campaigns. The starter requires complete replacement due to this overheating damage” (NHTSA Complaint #11721325)
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2022 BMW X5 have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 6 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “Car has premature failure from the AC system. My system started to fail between 40-50k miles. Both the AC compressor and condenser failed causing metal pieces to be in the system. If not fixed, those metal shavings will cause failure in other electrical systems including the HV battery.” (NHTSA Complaint #11659962)
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2022 BMW X5 have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 6 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2022 BMW X5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a scheduled service appointment, the contact was informed that the coolant pump was failing. The contact was informed that the coolant pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. In addition, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11629090)
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2022 BMW X5 by the NHTSA or BMW. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.
Component: VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
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.
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2022 BMW X5:
Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to BMW to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), BMW must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.
If your 2022 BMW X5 qualifies as a lemon under California law, BMW may be legally required to:
Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.
Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give BMW a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized BMW dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.
Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), BMW pays your fees if you win.
Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send BMW a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.
Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), BMW is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.
Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.
California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.
If your 2022 BMW X5 has a recurring defect, California’s Lemon Law may entitle you to a full refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement — at no cost to you.
Our attorneys answer the questions we hear most from California vehicle owners — fully updated for 2026.
Get a free case evaluation. BMW pays our fees if you win — you pay nothing upfront.
Check My Refund Amount →