Know Everything Before Buying BMW SUVs

While most of the challenges that faced the automotive world of old have disappeared, the BMW SUVs do offer their own issues.

Most brands have a personality of troubles and issues that you might find in the vehicle that you choose to drive. If you’re considering a BMW SUV as the one you want to drive, you’ll want to understand the different items that you may be faced with.

Burning Issues with BMW SUVs

There was a massive recall issued for the BMW X3 and X5 models from 2014-2017 because these models were known to catch fire. This occurred with the coolant leaked on the engine. This issue became such a problem in South Korea that the country banned some of the models to avoid burning BMW SUV models dotting the landscape of the country.

BMW SUV Backup Camera Failures

Imagine relying on the image on the screen to help you when driving in reverse only to have the camera stop working. All BMW SUV models made since 2018 have been part of another recall because the camera could fail. Some of these cameras, while working, don’t offer a clear view of the image which is something the NHTSA doesn’t like at all.

The BMW X5 Could Stall

If you have a BMW X5 model from 2007-2011, you could have an issue with loose wires. These loose wires are known to lose contact and cause the fuel intake to stop, which results in stalling during your drive. This has been found to happen even while driving on a fast-moving highway, which means you could end up stranded and in a dangerous situation.

BMW SUV Driveshaft Issues

The 2017 model year gave us a batch of X5 and X6 models from BMW that was added to a 2016 recall list. This recall concerns a bad driveshaft which shows the surface between the spider and the seal of the front of the driveshaft was “out of specification” leading to the corrosion of parts. Avoid buying a model that was part of this recall or you’re going to have massive repair bills.

Engine Leaks in the X1 and X3

The BMW SUV lineup has some issues in the smaller models as well. The X1 and X3 from 2011-2012 were fitted with plastic oil filter housings that tend to give up in an unpredictable way. The leaking of the oil and coolant means the fluids can end up all over the engine and cause terrible odors and engine damage that you will have to pay for if you have one of these models.

Erratic Parking Sensors in BMW SUVs

Many of the BMW models in the market have reported trouble with the parking sensors. Sometimes they work, other times they don’t, and that makes it hard to park when you want to trust these items to help you park your BMW SUV where you want. The result; lots of scrapes on the rear of the vehicles which is a troublesome issue for many drivers.

The BMW X6 Can Be Unsafe for Children

You want a BMW SUV to be a safe place for your child, especially when they are in a child seat. The ISOFIX-type rigid child connector uses in the 2015-2019 BMW X6 can get damaged over time. The problem is this damage isn’t often noticeable until it fails you when you need it. There has been a recall issued for this problem to give you the safety needed.

Wonky Steering in the BMW X5

The 2009-2013 BMW X5 models have had a recall issued because the engine pulley idler bolts that can break in some instances. This leads to a sudden loss of power steering, which can be a serious problem if it happens when you’re in the middle of a turn. You’ll still have manual steering, but when you slow down this will be hard to perform.

BMW SUV Battery Problems

The BMW X5 has a history of problems with the battery or electronics. You could have sudden low power warnings that tend to self-rectify in a few minutes or a few hours later, which means there is no fault code in the computers. This can be frustrating when you take your BMW X5 to be fixed and this problem no longer appears on the screen.

Leaking Power Steering of BMW SUV Models

Another recall item for the BMW SUV lineup is the 2012 and 2013 models of the diesel-powered BMW X5 and X6. These models are shown to have a leaky power steering system. Since power steering fluid is flammable, if it drips on hot engine parts it can cause engine fires. BMW sent a recall out to try and have this issue addressed.

A Common BMW SUV Problem

Nearly all models in the BMW SUV lineup has a problem with the window regulator system. The automatic windows might decide to stop working but then start working again without warning. You might take your BMW SUV to the mechanic to have the issue fixed, but there isn’t much that can be done for this problem just yet.

Braking Could be an Adventure

You don’t want your BMW SUV to have problems when you need to slow down or stop. 2018-2019 models of the BMW X3 and X4 were part of a recall issued to fixe contaminated brake fluids that affect the rear brake calipers. The calipers weren’t coated properly at the factory, which causes gas pockets to form in the brake fluid.

Coolant Leaks in a BMW SUV

The BMW X5 models offered commonly have issues with leaky coolant. There hasn’t been a recall issued for this problem, but many BMW X5 owners have discussed coolant leaks on various forums and say it tends to take place once the warranty has passed. You might want to avoid the X5 if you’re looking to buy BMW SUVs.

BMW SUV Wheel Corrosion

A common problem with many BMW SUVs is the corrosion of the wheels. This means you might need to replace the wheels and because it won’t be too bad until after the warranty has passed, you’ll have to pay to replace them. BMW wheels aren’t cheap to replace, which means you’ve got to shell out the money because these wheels corrode.

The X5 Could Lock You Out

Some models of the BMW X5 have been prone to locking issues. You unlock the vehicle and reach for the handle to open the door, but the door won’t open. The only fix to this BMW SUV issue is to have the door panel’s locking system replaced entirely. This could be a big hit to your wallet if the vehicle is out of warranty.