[kwbkk]

Hi everyone,

I’m reaching out to see if anyone else has experienced a similar issue with their BMW X5 or any other models. I own a 2020 BMW X5 (purchased in July 2020 out of warranty few months) with about 42,500 km on it, during the same time engine starter just failed.

Around the same time, I received a recall notice for an engine starter software update (Transport Canada 2024-444), but the recall only covers a software fix and doesn’t address the hardware failure of the starter itself.


After doing some research, I’ve been found I’m not the only one have this issue. Has anyone else faced similar engine starter failures and get it fixed no matter cover by warranty or out of pocket within low mileage for driving(normally should be lasting for 100,000 miles). Wondering how wide does it affect.

If we do have many similar issues, I’m hoping BMW bring attention to this and BMW will recognize that this is not an isolated issue and adjust how they’re handling these cases.

If you have similar issues, please share!

[hehehe2]

Hi,

I also have 2020 X5 (manufactured in May) with 68k miles, out of warranty but have vehicle service contract.

Two weeks ago, my car started taking multiple attempts to start up. It would also throw itself into park at a red light and then not start again. I would get error message that said cannot start engine, call roadside. But once I got the car started and if I turned off auto start/stop button, it stopped throwing itself into park. I thought it might be related to the recall and/or a failing starter.

I took my car to my local dealership for the recall and mentioned the starter issues. They told me they suspected a faulty battery. I brought my car late in the day so they gave me a loaner and held mine overnight. The following day, when they tried to move my car to return to me (after replacing the battery), it wouldn’t start up again. Then they said faulty starter.

Literally today, I just got the vehicle service contract to approve the claim for the starter and it is currently being repaired now. I’m sure the battery was due for replacement related to age, but I think it was a failing starter issue all long. The battery was just an easy suspect to blame.

[Stinkyxy]

When I took my 2019 to the dealer for an oil change the recall popped up - I didn’t get a notice. Before they took the car they first checked if they had a starter in inventory, told me if faulty it would be replaced.

Ran tests and it came back fine. No software update, assume I had a version high enough. I got the sense some units overheated and would be damaged.

I deactivate as/s but wife does not.

Not sure this helps you.

[DavidYeni]

Today, a starter Failure left me stranded in the middle of a busy street. No crank ,no sound when pushing the start button .
I had taken the car to the dealer a week ago for a recall Software update to prevent such a failure .A new battery was installed that day.
How can you fix a mechanical malfunction with a software update?
BMW will try to do so to save money and fool BMW drivers.
Can You cure cancer with aspirin?
The correct and honest recall would have replaced the defective starters.
But that would have been a financial setback.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by DavidYeni

Today, a starter Failure left me stranded in the middle of a busy street. No crank ,no sound when pushing the start button .
I had taken the car to the dealer a week ago for a recall Software update to prevent such a failure .A new battery was installed that day.
How can you fix a mechanical malfunction with a software update?
BMW will try to do so to save money and fool BMW drivers.
Can You cure cancer with aspirin?
The correct and honest recall would have replaced the defective starters.
But that would have been a financial setback.

You are misunderstanding the entire situation. The recall was definitely not to prevent the problem you are experiencing. It was for preventing a fire should a failed starter continuously be tried.

[kwbkk]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

You are misunderstanding the entire situation. The recall was definitely not to prevent the problem you are experiencing. It was for preventing a fire should a failed starter continuously be tried.

Thanks for clarifying. What I guess that the recall have been placed definitely due to the many cases happened that starter failure first then tried start multiple times and cause the fire which means many G05 have the engine starter failure already then recall been placed. What is your thoughts regarding of those vehicles(G05) that faced engine failure but just been on the road for low mileage which not supposed have the engine failure yet…

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by kwbkk

Thanks for clarifying. What I guess that the recall have been placed definitely due to the many cases happened that starter failure first then tried start multiple times and cause the fire which means many G05 have the engine starter failure already then recall been placed. What is your thoughts regarding of those vehicles(G05) that faced engine failure but just been on the road for low mileage which not supposed have the engine failure yet…

We don't really have a good idea of how many are failing versus those out there. At blush there are very few so that could be why there is no recall. It should be noted though that as part of the recall remedy, the starter is checked and replaced under a separate technical action.

"0012240600 G0x G12 G20 B58C Check and, if necessary, replace starter motor"

[DavidYeni]

105000 cars were recalled for possible starter malfunction. BMW waited several years to admit that they had used defective starters in the affected cars. Most of these cars are out of warranty now so that starter replacements costs will be out of pocket ($2000) to the benefit of the dealer. The dealerships can charge the full cost of parts and labor to the customer, whereas with warranty work, they are reimbursed by the manufacturer at a set rate which is lower than what they would charge a customer directly. So BMW AG covers their ass for a possible fire from a defective product and the dealer makes money for the repairs and the owner of the car gets screwed.

[SKBSY8]

My19, May production. I also went in for the recall back in August of this year. Service end up updating my software from 11/2020.50 to 07/2024.35. No significant difference between two version. Throughout my 5 years ownership (I stilll have the car), I’ve only experiencing twice where I can’t start the vehicle and they’re all in the morning where the car is parked for 3-4 days period.

I usually turn off the auto start/stop even when I’m in comfort mode because I can’t stand it since it was never smooth between the break and the engine. I’m a ease breaker…………….break slowly at the light. The sudden engine stop kill the smoothness.

My SA told me that this recall update is to prevent the auto start/stop situation getting worst (BMW is foreseeing the issue getting worst especially with the cost of covering/fixing the starter problem). Another way to cover their ass I’m sure. SA was like turn that off if you can because is going to mess up the car. Also they are bring the button feature back on the next LCI…………..guess we’ll just have to wait and see till then.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by SKBSY8

My19, May production. I also went in for the recall back in August of this year. Service end up updating my software from 11/2020.50 to 07/2024.35. No significant difference between two version. Throughout my 5 years ownership (I stilll have the car), I’ve only experiencing twice where I can’t start the vehicle and they’re all in the morning where the car is parked for 3-4 days period.

I usually turn off the auto start/stop even when I’m in comfort mode because I can’t stand it since it was never smooth between the break and the engine. I’m a ease breaker…………….break slowly at the light. The sudden engine stop kill the smoothness.

My SA told me that this recall update is to prevent the auto start/stop situation getting worst (BMW is foreseeing the issue getting worst especially with the cost of covering/fixing the starter problem). Another way to cover their ass I’m sure. SA was like turn that off if you can because is going to mess up the car. Also they are bring the button feature back on the next LCI…………..guess we’ll just have to wait and see till then.

You can ignore what your SA told you. The recall/update has nothing to do with ASS.

[SKBSY8]

🤦🏻‍♂️😅

[jll]

My X5 stalled out at a major intersection this past weekend. Had to get it towed to a dealership. Found out today that I need a starter motor. I noticed some others have posted about this problem on the 2020 model. Please advise if you are having the same issue.

[PunsGalore]

I don't own a 2019-2020 X5, but is this issue specific to 2019 to 2020 cars (aka those without mild hybrid technology?) In other words, does this issue only affect those model years or is this likely to be an issue for 2021 and beyond X5's?

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by PunsGalore

I don't own a 2019-2020 X5, but is this issue specific to 2019 to 2020 cars (aka those without mild hybrid technology?) In other words, does this issue only affect those model years or is this likely to be an issue for 2021 and beyond X5's?

For the X5 the recall covers MY19 and MY20.

[PunsGalore]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

For the X5 the recall covers MY19 and MY20.

Ok so that means 2021+ X5's dont have this issue?

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by PunsGalore

Ok so that means 2021+ X5's dont have this issue?

That is correct.

[PunsGalore]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

That is correct.

Great