Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 X5.
The 2021 BMW X5 pairs an Automatic (S8) transmission with an engine that takes 6.9 quarts of 0W-30 oil, and it carries EPA fuel-economy ratings of 13 city, 18 highway, and 15 combined mpg. Within the model’s 1999–2026 complaint history, the 2021 X5 accumulated 96 owner complaints—far below the 2008 high of 333 but well above the 2026 low of 10—with the Electrical System ranking as the top complaint area and 12 recalls on record. That places this model year in the lower-middle of the documented range, signaling a comparatively controlled reliability profile rather than a standout one.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 11428583896. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
| Engine oil filter | 11428583896 alt 11428583897 |
| Engine air filter | 13718577170 alt 13718091495 |
| Spark plug | 12122455258 alt 12120054451 |
| Battery | 61215B3F325 alt 61217604808 |
| Front wiper blades | 61619466377 |
| Thermostat | 11539494425 alt 11538632664 |
| Cabin air filter | 64115A29D99 alt 64115A1BDB7 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Overall length | 194.1 in |
| Overall width | 78.7 in |
| Overall height | 68.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.9 in |
| Curb weight | 5335 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 65.7 / 66.5 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 51/49 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 13 / 18 / 15 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the X5 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | xDrive45e (M Sport) 3.0L Turbo I-6 + Elec 17.1-kWh | 4.70 sec | 13.40 sec | 389 hp | AWD |
| 2020 | M50i 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 3.90 sec | 12.40 sec | 523 hp | AWD |
| 2020 | xDrive40i (xLine) 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 5.10 sec | 13.80 sec | 335 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | xDrive50i (M Sport) 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 4.20 sec | 12.70 sec | 456 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | xDrive50i (M Sport) 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 4.50 sec | 12.90 sec | 456 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | xDrive40i (xLine) 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 4.80 sec | 13.50 sec | 335 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | xDrive40i (xLine) 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 4.90 sec | 13.60 sec | 335 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | xDrive40i (xLine) 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 5.00 sec | 13.60 sec | 335 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 6.9 qt of 0W-30 engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use a new seal: 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF3 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 9.2 qt |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF3 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 9.8 qt |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF3 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 9.9 qt |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF3 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 9.9 qt |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 88.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Head Instructions | Replace all fasteners. |
| Cylinder Head Steps | 13 mm |
| Cylinder Head Instructions | Only use new bolts. |
| Cylinder Head Instructions | Only use new bolts. |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | Use new bolts. 88.0 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | Use new nuts only. 11.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | Use a new seal: 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Differential Fill Plug | Final Drive: Use new plug: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Differential Fill Plug | Final Drive: Use new plug: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Differential Fill Plug | Final Drive: Use new plug: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Differential Fill Plug | Front: 44.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Differential drain Plug | Front: 44.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 103 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | Use a new plug: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 |
| Refrigerant | R1234yf |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46YF |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Front: NS, Rear: 26.0 ft-lbs |
| ABS Sensor Torque | 6.6 |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Front: NS, Rear: 26.0 ft-lbs |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | Use new bolts. 81.0 ft-lbs |
| ABS Sensor Torque | 6.6 |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front: 1.118", Rear: NS |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front: 1.354 |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after Refinish | Rear: 1.040 |
| 1 | Bolts 1-14 | 22 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 140° | 22 ft. lbs |
| 1 | M6 Screw | 7.4 ft. lbs |
| 1 | M6 Screw | 7.4 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 1,200 mi.
| At 1,200 mi | Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2021 BMW X5 recorded 96 complaints, 12 recalls, 1 investigation and 285 TSBs, which is slightly fewer complaints than the 100 reported for 2020 but more than the 57 complaints in 2022. Compared with the earlier generation highs—such as the 333 complaints in 2008 and the 307 complaints in 2011—the 2021 figures show a marked reduction, aligning with the lower complaint levels seen from 2016 through 2018 (67‑73 complaints). However, complaint numbers rose again in 2019 (177) and 2020 (100) before declining modestly in 2021, placing the model year in a modest‑to‑mid range of the recent trend. Recall activity for 2021 (12) is consistent with the surrounding years (11 in 2020, 1 in 2022) and does not show a clear upward or downward pattern. The most frequently cited complaint areas for 2021 were Electrical System (14), Power Train (8), Unknown Or Other (8) and Engine (6). Overall, the 2021 model exhibits complaint and recall rates that are lower than the early‑generation peaks and comparable to or slightly better than the immediate preceding and following years, suggesting it is a reasonable choice for a used purchase pending a thorough vehicle‑specific inspection.
All 96 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i and X5 xDrive40i vehicles. The right front brake disc may have been assembled with incorrect fasteners, which over time, could result in the front… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the right front brake disc and replace it if necessary, along with the unaffected left side brake disc, free of charge. There are…
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The…
Showing 5 of 285 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B652724 | 2026-05-19 | Air Bags | A check control message (CCM) for the restraint system (Air bag) appears. In the… |
| B010324 | 2026-05-06 | Engine | The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or… |
| B640320 | 2026-05-04 | Structure | The center console and front cup holder get noticeably too warm to the touch on long… |
| B010325 | 2026-03-06 | Structure | The Radiator Grilles Lower Active Air Flap Assembly limited warranty for defects in… |
| B652724 | 2025-11-25 | Air Bags | A check control message (CCM) for the restraint system (Air bag) appears. In the… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
6.9 qt of BMW LongLife-01FE 0W-30 is recommended., per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined mpg.