[Usher9387]

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-...reliable-cars/

[midwestbmwguy]

Based what I see on being rear ended and cost of parts / parts availability which I was told by the dealer could be as much as 30+ days I’m not sure that the rating of 17 is low enough.
Evidently they would rather build new cars with the parts versus Hope a customer who already owns their vehicle.
That does not create an opportunity for happy customers.

This is my 3rd BMW having had two others.
2011 750 Li xDrive
2014 750 Li xDrive
They were both vehicles that I knew when the extended warranty expired I did not want to own because of the cost of maintaining the vehicle.

[TXSchnee]

This is why I am going with a Cayenne...

[roadkillrob]

Not had one mechanical issue in a year, but the electronics on this car are a disaster released at least a year too soon maybe longer.

[VTENGR]

Originally Posted by roadkillrob

Not had one mechanical issue in a year, but the electronics on this car are a disaster released at least a year too soon maybe longer.

Electronics or software? I know a lot of ppl have been complaining about iDrive, but haven't heard many complaints about any electrical components.

[Tenac]

Not to be picky but it is BMW's least reliable vehicle not the least reliable car out there. The brand in general stands pretty good overall, actually that list shocked me a bit from some that are ranked lower than the BMW brand.

[TurtleBoy]

While there are (probably should say were since the recent updates seem fairly solid) numerous bugs in iDrive, in general they are just little annoyances and nothing major. From early reports it seems the cold steering "twitching" has been fixed which I think was the most major issue.

My biggest issue has been ConnectedDrive and the integration, or lack thereof, between the system the dealers/BMW uses to register vehicles, CDs systems and AT&T. Twice I lost all communication to the vehicle and it was in the shop for 6 weeks. Hopefully ConnectedDrive gets their act together soon which will eliminate quite a lot of owner frustration.

[mrjoed2]

Let's be honest guys, as a brand being 20th down on the list of reliability is not great. To be beat by the likes of Lincoln or Kia is embarrassing.
At least BMW beat Benz by 2 spots.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Tenac

Not to be picky but it is BMW's least reliable vehicle not the least reliable car out there. The brand in general stands pretty good overall, actually that list shocked me a bit from some that are ranked lower than the BMW brand.

What is amazing to me is the slide Acura has had over the last few years. They used to be rock solid reliability wise and have just taken a nose dive. I know they had numerous issues with some new/updated models so that was a contributing factor but I don't think the whole cause.

In BMW's case I think the new/updated models caused their slide. It would be interesting to see the breakdown of reliability by functional area. My guess is it is the infotainment system that is bringing down the score on all models with iDrive 7. That should go back up next year if these early updates are any indicator of future updates.

[randybobandy]

My question is the exact metric...given this was completely redesigned, I feel like that pays some credence to it. Additionally, as stated above, a lot of the issues seemed to be related to software. My electronics have been solid. The vehicle overall is fantastic. I love it. Now, you need to take a couple afternoons over the weekend to really dig into the car and get the most out of it.

I would say a majority of the trips for people to the dealership are normal in a vehicle this new (design). BMW may have bitten off more than can chew with integration, so that’s probably why it is seen as “unreliable”. Never have I felt this car was going to leave me stranded on some backroad. It’s done some crazy stuff, but nothing that would make me think it’s going to die on the side of the road. The one thing I’ll say is that with so much reliance of the vehicle on tech, there’s more room for error... but to having Dodge up over BMW....come on, I refuse to believe that. Prove me wrong?!

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

What is amazing to me is the slide Acura has had over the last few years. They used to be rock solid reliability wise and have just taken a nose dive. I know they had numerous issues with some new/updated models so that was a contributing factor but I don't think the whole cause.

In BMW's case I think the new/updated models caused their slide. It would be interesting to see the breakdown of reliability by functional area. My guess is it is the infotainment system that is bringing down the score on all models with iDrive 7. That should go back up next year if these early updates are any indicator of future updates.

I think I read somewhere that Acura has been plagued with transmission issues for the better part of a decade.

[Tenac]

I've always had issues with these reports since they are simply based on a survey, which does not allow for meta data or ability to define. I remember seeing an old article a long time ago that measured based off repair data from dealers, that I trust much more than me filling out a survey... Just my thoughts.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

I think I read somewhere that Acura has been plagued with transmission issues for the better part of a decade.

Yes, they really screwed up with a 9 speed transmission that they put into the TLX, and maybe other models. They knew they had issues with it and released the vehicles anyway. I remember reading reviews and during the press events people were complaining about the rough shifts. I had a TL and loved it but it was a 2009, back when they made them very well.

[mrjoed2]

Originally Posted by randybobandy

My question is the exact metric...given this was completely redesigned, I feel like that pays some credence to it. Additionally, as stated above, a lot of the issues seemed to be related to software. My electronics have been solid. The vehicle overall is fantastic. I love it. Now, you need to take a couple afternoons over the weekend to really dig into the car and get the most out of it.

I would say a majority of the trips for people to the dealership are normal in a vehicle this new (design). BMW may have bitten off more than can chew with integration, so that’s probably why it is seen as “unreliable”. Never have I felt this car was going to leave me stranded on some backroad. It’s done some crazy stuff, but nothing that would make me think it’s going to die on the side of the road. The one thing I’ll say is that with so much reliance of the vehicle on tech, there’s more room for error... but to having Dodge up over BMW....come on, I refuse to believe that. Prove me wrong?!

Agree 100% Dodge/Chrysler has been bottom of the barrel for years,
I refuse to believe they are suddenly top 10 material. I would not touch one with a 10ft pole!

[randybobandy]

mrjoed2 How is Ford even that high? The 2020 Explorer (and the Lincoln equivalent) were a train wreck! Some of those brands up there blow my mind. But as mentioned before, a lot of these rankings are BS. I love my X5, even if she pisses me off from time to time. Those laser lights have been a lifesaver up here in deer country...probably jinxed myself on that now!

[Paladin1]

The report is actually predicted reliability - I assume based on rollout to date, which with all the new technology I would expect to be problematic. It also wasn't clear what exactly was measured - engine reliability, transmission, electronics? Or a combination? And we're not actually in 2020 yet, in spite of the 2020 models being released, so presumably the reliability scores will change at the end of the year based on performance - for better or worse. Likely a fair assessment, based on early, underdone features, but also what one would expect. So it measures a point in time, with a projection based on a relatively short history, with relatively new features and relatively new (for this car) technology. I'll take it for what it is.

[mnx5er]

Ripping the 2019 X5 is fair game. It was a mess when it was released and not just the steering. The electronic nannies with drivers assist were a mess of errors, iDrive crashed, and other issues by car. Yes, BMW has gotten it much better and I would now call it average. Wish they just would have held off on releasing it.

I agree with others, the fall of Acura is a shocker. The MDX used to be a very solid competitor. Ever since the redesign with the new transmission, a dull look, and cheaper parts, it has been trouble. I really used to like their stuff. Note they also switched plants where the MDX is made

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by midwestbmwguy

Based what I see on being rear ended and cost of parts / parts availability which I was told by the dealer could be as much as 30+ days I’m not sure that the rating of 17 is low enough.
Evidently they would rather build new cars with the parts versus Hope a customer who already owns their vehicle.
That does not create an opportunity for happy customers.

This is my 3rd BMW having had two others.
2011 750 Li xDrive
2014 750 Li xDrive
They were both vehicles that I knew when the extended warranty expired I did not want to own because of the cost of maintaining the vehicle.

Guess Scotty Kilmer was right about BMWs...dropping 10 points down as a brand is not good.

[lumpydog]

Have to agree that the 2019 X5 has been rock solid mechanically. First car I haven't had to take back to the dealer until oil change for an issue. But the software-based experience has been a disaster and inexcusable.

From safety features that were advertised to be included and were not even coded on/to function... to stuff that was not even worthy of beta software. Piss poor implementation on BMWs part and for those considering purchasing, it's still a work in process. If you don't mind your X5 randomly hammering on the brakes in traffic flow because it thinks you are about to collide with a pedestrian... this is a great vehicle. This has happened twice to me in the last 3 weeks. No warning, in traffic flow, no imminent danger in front or from the sides. Brakes jammed on with the audible alarm and red flashing car icon. Awesome. Thankfully - I was not rear ended...

As far as Acura goes... I can attest that they more than earned their slide. That's a mechanical nightmare of issues. My wife's car (and my prior car) were Acuras. I sold my last Acura in 2013 and it was pretty solid.... my wife's later model Acura MDX was a nightmare. I still have stains on the garage floor from the transmission, brakes and suspension.... yes, all three failed at different times.

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by Usher9387

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-...reliable-cars/

Methodology 0-6:30

[OzJedi]

The write-up just above the ranking is also important. It clearly states that vehicles with fewer or no design changes have gone up whereas vehicles with new designs have gone down the rankings.

Secondly, it would be interesting to see sample-size of survey and problem area wise categorisation. I am pretty sure most of the issues pertaining to X5 are software related and will be rectified slowly. Its easier to fix a software issue as compared to a mechanical one.

Also, the Note at the end raises questions. Why there is no sufficient data for Land rover, Jaguar, etc? Are these vehicles not sold in comparable numbers as compared to others?

[sygazelle]

Mechanically, our 2019 X5 has been perfect. Zero problems. The small electronic snafus have been mostly corrected with software updates. None of the software issues affected functionality that matters to me. It's my wife's car and she absolutely loves it. Normally, I would rather drive my sedan but I find myself asking to borrow her X5 more often than not.

I would not hesitate to buy this car again.