Used car safety, rank #10 of 181
BMW X5 4WD Safety Rating (2019-20)
Real IIHS driver death rates for the 2019-20 BMW X5 4WD, a midsize luxury SUV, compared with its class and with the current model.
Safest PickThe 2019-20 BMW X5 4WD has an IIHS driver death rate of 6 per million registered vehicle years against a midsize luxury SUVs average of 10.9, which is 45% below the class average. That places it #10 of 181 used vehicles with a safety score of 93.6/100, earning our Safest Pick designation, and it typically sells used for $28,000 to $48,000.
What the BMW X5 death rate means
At 6 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, the BMW X5 4WD beats the midsize luxury SUVs average of 10.9 by 45%. The 95% confidence interval is 0 to 19, so the upper end of the range overlaps the class average and the advantage is not certain.
The other-driver death rate of 40 measures the opposite risk: how many drivers of other vehicles died in crashes with a BMW X5. It is higher than the BMW X5's own driver death rate, the usual pattern for this class. Remember that death rates describe vehicles and their drivers together: IIHS adjusts for driver age and gender, but not for where or how carefully people drive. Our score weights this model's own rate at 70% and its class at 30%; see how we rank used cars.
Compared with similar used luxury SUVs
The safest midsize luxury SUVs in the IIHS study, by our score, with the BMW X5 4WD highlighted. It ranks 9 of the 9 shown; the class leader is the BMW X3 4WD at a death rate of 0.
| Vehicle | Years | Death rate | Score | Reliability | Used price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW X3 4WD | 2019-20 | 0 (0 to 29) | 98.6 | 2.5/5 | $22,000 to $36,000 |
| Audi Q5 4WD | 2018-20 | 2 (0 to 6) | 97.1 | 3.0/5 | $23,000 to $38,000 |
| Volvo XC90 4WD | 2018-20 | 4 (0 to 13) | 96.3 | 3.5/5 | $26,000 to $42,000 |
| Volvo XC60 4WD | 2018-20 | 5 (0 to 16) | 95.5 | 4.0/5 | $23,000 to $36,000 |
| Lexus RX 350 4WD | 2017-20 | 5 (0 to 10) | 95.5 | 4.0/5 | $26,000 to $40,000 |
| Acura RDX 4WD | 2019-20 | 6 (0 to 18) | 93.6 | 4.5/5 | $22,000 to $34,000 |
| Porsche Macan | 2017-20 | 6 (0 to 14) | 93.6 | 1.5/5 | $32,000 to $52,000 |
| Acura MDX 4WD | 2017-20 | 6 (0 to 16) | 93.6 | 4.0/5 | $24,000 to $36,000 |
| BMW X5 4WD (this page) | 2019-20 | 6 (0 to 19) | 93.6 | 2.0/5 | $28,000 to $48,000 |
Class average for midsize luxury SUVs: 10.9 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years.
The new BMW X5
Death rates lag the market by several years. For the current BMW X5 we score IIHS crash tests instead; here is how the latest model years rate on our new-car scale.
| Model year | Model | IIHS award | New-car score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | BMW X5 | TSP+ | 94.7 |
New-car scores use a different scale (crash tests, not death rates) and are not directly comparable with the 93.6 used-car score above.
Reliability and cost of ownership
Reliability: 2.0 out of 5
RepairPal rates the BMW X5 2.0/5, 13th out of 19 in its category. Owners spend about $1,166 a year on repairs and maintenance, visiting the shop 0.8 times a year for unscheduled work, and 17% of those repairs are severe.
RepairPal detailsUsed price: $28,000 to $48,000
Typical asking prices for 2019-20 BMW X5 4WD listings. For a model with a death rate of 6, that buys more real-world protection per dollar than most alternatives in the midsize luxury SUVs class.
Safety recalls for the BMW X5 4WD
A recall is a defect the manufacturer must repair free of charge, however old the car and whoever owns it now. On a used car this matters more than on a new one: the work is only done if a previous owner took it in.
11 recall campaigns on the 2020 model year, covering electrical system, visibility, back over prevention, service brakes, hydraulic, suspension, exterior lighting, power train, steering.
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Electrical system: starter assembly
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.
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Electrical system: starter assembly
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.
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Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
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.
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Back over prevention: sensing system, camera
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.
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Service brakes, hydraulic
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.
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Suspension: front, control arm
Risk: If the weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket separates, vehicle handling and control may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle support, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020.
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Exterior lighting: headlights
Risk: Oncoming drivers may be confused by the blue light of approaching vehicles, which could potentially increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlamps and, if necessary, replace them, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020.
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Power train: automatic transmission
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the starter motor for the extra bolt, removing it if necessary. Dealers will also inspect the starter for damage, and check if the bolt has fallen into the transmission housing, replacing any damaged parts as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 2, 2020.
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Steering
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.
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Back over prevention: sensing system, camera
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.
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Steering: rack and pinion, rack
Risk: A loss of steering control increases risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2019.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-09-04. A campaign covers a range of build dates, not every car of the model year, and IIHS reports this nameplate across several years while these results are for 2020. Confirm against the VIN. Recalls do not affect the death rate on this page.
BMW X5 4WD: Common Questions
Is the BMW X5 4WD a safe car?
Yes, by the measure that matters most. IIHS recorded a driver death rate of 6 per million registered vehicle years for the 2019-20 BMW X5 4WD, 45% below the class average (10.9 for midsize luxury SUVs). That earns a used-car safety score of 93.6 out of 100 and rank #10 of 181 used vehicles, with a Safest Pick designation.
What is the BMW X5 4WD driver death rate?
6 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, with a 95% confidence interval of 0 to 19. Drivers of other vehicles that collided with a BMW X5 died at a rate of 40 per million. Source: IIHS driver death rates by make and model, covering 2019-20 models.
How does the BMW X5 4WD compare with other midsize luxury SUVs?
The midsize luxury SUVs class averages 10.9 driver deaths per million; the BMW X5 4WD sits at 6. Among the 9 midsize luxury SUVs compared above it ranks 9 by safety score; the top of that group is the BMW X3 4WD with a death rate of 0.