2005 BMW X5 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

109

Owner Complaints

3 Crashes 7 Fires 3 Deaths

3

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

8

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2005 BMW X5

The 2005 BMW X5 has received a total of 109 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EQUIPMENT, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. 8 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (15 complaints), Electrical System (15 complaints), and Engine (12 complaints).

Recalls for the 2005 BMW X5

NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2005 BMW X5, potentially affecting up to 1,080 vehicles.

Recall 07E069000 — EQUIPMENT

| 675 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BMW BIKE CARRIERS, P/N 82110393954, SOLD FOR USE ON MY 2005 BMW X3 AND X5 VEHICLES. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE HITCH STYLE BICYCLE RACK.

Consequence: WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH POINT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING A SEVERE INJURY TO THE USER'S FINGER OR HAND.

Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES TOLL-FREE AT 800-831-1117.

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Recall 05V504000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

| 240 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE PARKING LOCK SYSTEM NOT TO ENGAGE, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED IN THE PARK ("P") POSITION. IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED, THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ROLLAWAY CONDITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR AND REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GUIDE PLATE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-332-4269.

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Recall 05V367000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

| 165 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ATTACHMENT OF THE BRAKE LINE SUPPORT BRACKET WITHIN THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WELL WAS NOT WELDED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. IT COULD LOOSEN AND OVER TIME THE BRAKE HOSE COULD RUB AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL.

Consequence: THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE HOSE COULD BECOME DAMAGED TO THE POINT WHERE A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ATTACH THE BRAKE LINE SUPPORT BRACKET TO THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WELL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

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Owner Complaints for the 2005 BMW X5

109 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 BMW X5. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11674101 | TIRES | | N/A miles
I purchased a used Pirelli Scorpion Strada 255/55R18 109V tire (DOT code 1UN L4W990 4221) for my SUV. When I returned home from the installation, the tire appeared normal. However, the next morning—within 24 hours of installation—I began driving for work when my car suddenly started shaking violently and pulling hard to the right while on the freeway around 3 AM. I was able to safely exit the freeway and pull over. Upon inspection, I discovered that the tire had been shredded by the road—the sidewall had catastrophically failed, and the inner structure had separated. The tire had good tread and showed no signs of damage before the incident. This was a sudden and dangerous failure that placed me at serious risk of losing control of the vehicle. It occurred under normal driving conditions at moderate freeway speed. There were no prior warning signs, dashboard messages, or visible damage. The tire was manufactured in October 2021 at Pirelli’s Rome, Georgia plant. The failure appears consistent with belt separation or internal delamination. The damaged tire has been preserved and is available for inspection. I believe this tire may be part of a defective batch and am reporting this for safety investigation. There are similar complaints online regarding Pirelli tires made in this timeframe.
#11499056 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles Fire 1 Injury 1 Death
My father was sitting in his parked car in his driveway and his car caught on fire. A neighbor witnessed it she said it was engulfed in flames within seconds and my father died from smoke inhalation due to the fire. Aberdeen WA police department and fire department examined the vehicle and investigated the cause and determined it started in the vehicle engine. Also the coroner did an autopsy to determine his cause of death. From what I understand there has been numerous similar fires with this model yet it hasn’t been included in any recall. It is unknown to me whether there were any indicator lights on. He had only owned the vehicle for less than a week I believe. I am having the vehicle returned to me now that the police and fire department are finished examining it. As far as I know they are the only ones to have contact with it since the fire.
#11499056 | ENGINE | | N/A miles Fire 1 Injury 1 Death
My father was sitting in his parked car in his driveway and his car caught on fire. A neighbor witnessed it she said it was engulfed in flames within seconds and my father died from smoke inhalation due to the fire. Aberdeen WA police department and fire department examined the vehicle and investigated the cause and determined it started in the vehicle engine. Also the coroner did an autopsy to determine his cause of death. From what I understand there has been numerous similar fires with this model yet it hasn’t been included in any recall. It is unknown to me whether there were any indicator lights on. He had only owned the vehicle for less than a week I believe. I am having the vehicle returned to me now that the police and fire department are finished examining it. As far as I know they are the only ones to have contact with it since the fire.
#11499056 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles Fire 1 Injury 1 Death
My father was sitting in his parked car in his driveway and his car caught on fire. A neighbor witnessed it she said it was engulfed in flames within seconds and my father died from smoke inhalation due to the fire. Aberdeen WA police department and fire department examined the vehicle and investigated the cause and determined it started in the vehicle engine. Also the coroner did an autopsy to determine his cause of death. From what I understand there has been numerous similar fires with this model yet it hasn’t been included in any recall. It is unknown to me whether there were any indicator lights on. He had only owned the vehicle for less than a week I believe. I am having the vehicle returned to me now that the police and fire department are finished examining it. As far as I know they are the only ones to have contact with it since the fire.
#11454024 | SERVICE BRAKES | | N/A miles
Faulty Check valve connected to brake booster leaks oil into brake booster causing contamination and loss of power braking. Recall issued for roughly 30,000 BMW X5 vehicles produced from 2007-2010 for a similar issue but none issued for this vehicle.

View all Air Bags complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2005 BMW X5

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2005 BMW X5 in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2005 BMW X5

BMW of North America, LLC has issued 8 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2005 BMW X5. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

SIB160222 — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The fuel gauge may indicate the incorrect fuel level (full and reserve).

SIB-65-11-14 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

BMW: PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE, IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, DUE TO FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG BEING DEACTIVATED FROM FREQUENT FRONT PASSENGER USAGE AND DAMAGED TO SEAT MAT. MODEL 2005-2006 E53 (X5). *PE

SIB-51-26-10 — STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

BMW: MODEL E70 EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TAILGATE. THE REAR TAILGATE MAY NOT OPERATE IN EITHER DIRECTION DUE TO WIRING DAMAGE. *RM

SIB-13-07-10 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

BMW: THERE IS A ROUGH ENGINE IDLE AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT" WHEN DRIVING DOWNHILL IN HIGH ALTITUDES DURING COLD WEATHER. THERE MAY BE SIX DIFFERENT FAULT CODES. *RM

SI-B31-01-08 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

BMW: REPLACEMENT OF FRONT OUTER CV JOINT. COMPLAINTS OF CLICKING OR GRINDING NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT AXLE AREA WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE FRONT OUTER CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT BOOT IS SPLIT OPEN AND THE JOINT IS ALREADY DAMAGED. *PE

SI B12 08 08 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SERVICE ACTION ON MY 2005 AND 2006 E53 (X5) WITH M54 ENGINE AND GM5 TRANSMISSION PRODUCED 09/2004-10/2006 - REPROGRAM DME. *PE

410206 — STRUCTURE:BODY

WATER INGRESS - TRUNK FLOOR AREA. *TT

7220005 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, AND FAULT CODE 71 (SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR) IS STORED IN MRS4RD. BMW E83 (X3). MODEL YEAR UNKNOWN. *TT

NHTSA Investigations for the 2005 BMW X5

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the BMW X5

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Other BMW Models

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