BMWX52015Overview/bmw/x5/2015/base/

2015 BMW X5

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 X5.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S8)

The 2015 BMW X5 is classified as a passenger car, with an engine oil capacity of 6.9 quarts using 0W-30, 0W-40, or 5W-30 viscosity, mated to an eight-speed automatic (S8) transmission and EPA-rated at 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg. Within the X5's 1999–2026 complaint history, the 2015 model lands in the middle tier: its 149 owner complaints sit below the 2008 high of 333 and above the 2026 low of 10, with engine problems cited as the top complaint area and six recalls recorded. For researchers, that means the 2015 X5 is not the model's worst year, but engine-related service records and recall completion should be central to any evaluation.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/19/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 95R · 850 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11428683168. 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.

Battery groupBCI 95R · 850 CCAOEM · verified
High beam bulbADJUSTMENTOEM · verified
Tire size255/55R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428683168 alt 11428637820
Engine air filter13717638566 alt 13718518111
Fuel filter13327822499
Spark plug12120040581 alt 12120037582
Battery61219364597 alt 61216806755
Front wiper blades61610039697
Thermostat11518512234 alt 11538632664
Cabin air filter64319194098 alt 64316804939

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.5 in
Overall width76.4 in
Overall height69.3 in
Wheelbase115.4 in
Curb weight4930 lb
Track (front / rear)64.6 / 65 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 19 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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.

3.7–5.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.70 sec — 2015 M
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2015M 4.4L Twin-Turbo V83.70 sec12.20 sec567 hpAWD
2015M 4.4L Twin-Turbo V83.80 sec12.30 sec567 hpAWD
2015M 4.4L Twin-Turbo V84.20 sec12.20 sec567 hpAWD
2015xDrive35i 3.0L Turbo I-65.80 sec14.50 sec300 hpAWD
2014xDrive50i 4.4L Twin-Turbo V84.30 sec12.80 sec445 hpAWD
2014xDrive50i 4.4L Twin-Turbo V84.30 sec12.80 sec445 hpAWD
2014xDrive35i 3.0L Turbo I-65.90 sec14.50 sec300 hpAWD
2014xDrive35i 3.0L Turbo I-66.00 sec14.60 sec300 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.9 qt of 0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 engine oil, Standard: Castrol SAF-X0, Dynamic: right in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilStandard: Castrol SAF-X0, Dynamic: right
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity10.9
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity16.7
Engine Oil0W-30 · 0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts30 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts11
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts9.5
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugM12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to TransmissionM8 Bolts: 33.0, M10: 58.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug24.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug24.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub310 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub310 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW
Spark Plug TypeM14X1.25
Spark Plug Gapnon-adjustable in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 - 24.3 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Standard BCI Group Number95R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance850 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-23 psi
Pressure Test29 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief26-30 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque81 Replace Bolts.
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque81 Replace Bolts.
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementStamped on rotor
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishStamped on rotor
Vented Rotor Maximum Scoring DepthStamped on rotor
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationStamped on rotor
Maximum Rotor RunoutStamped on rotor

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
3Bolts 1-10 90 degrees90 degrees
445 degrees45 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record shows no entry for the 2015 model year, so direct complaint, recall, investigation or TSB counts for that year are unavailable. However, the surrounding years reveal a clear pattern: complaints peaked at 333 in 2008, then fell to 307 in 2011 and dropped sharply to 70 by 2016, indicating a general downward trend through the early‑2010s. Placing 2015 between the 2011 (307 complaints, 15 recalls) and 2016 (70 complaints, 5 recalls) points suggests it would likely have experienced complaint and recall levels intermediate between those two years, continuing the improving trend before the later uptick seen in 20192020. The absence of a 2015 figure means any inference is provisional, but the data imply that the 2015 X5 was likely part of the generation’s relatively low‑problem period. Consequently, if reliability is a primary concern, the 2015 model appears to be a reasonable choice, though buyers should verify individual vehicle history due to the lack of specific federal‑record detail for that year.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
411
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
149
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 6 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 149 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine29
Fuel/Propulsion System20
Fuel System, Diesel18
Power Train10
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System6
Unknown Or Other6
Engine & Engine Cooling5
Air Bags5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 411 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B0101222026-01-21EngineN63TU1 CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT SVC CAMPAIGN: OIL CONSUMPTION DIAGNOSIS/REPAIR
B0111252025-08-08EngineThe Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler (with EGR Valve) and the Auxiliary Exhaust Gas…
B0105202024-01-23Engine And Engine CoolingThe vehicle demonstrates a power loss and the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on. The…
B5108192024-01-16Electrical SystemThe basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B6113052024-01-11Electrical SystemThe electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific X5. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 X5 take?

6.9 qt of Gasoline engines: 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40 oil meeting BMW specification LL01.Diesel engines: 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40 oil meeting BMW specification LL04, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 X5 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the X5 get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg.