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2004 BMW X5

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 BMW X5 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 100.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

55 reports with mileage · 9 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports10 fire reports5 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

6 reports
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180,000 miles · Feb 12, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, BACK, AND NECK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, BACK, AND NECK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11072329

180,000 miles · Apr 4, 2017
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES IN THE NECK AND BACK WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES IN THE NECK AND BACK WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #10970464

73,000 miles · Feb 27, 2013
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THE SENSOR MODULE ON THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT CONTROLLED THE AIR BAGS BECAME INOPERABLE AND CAUSED THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THE SENSOR MODULE ON THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT CONTROLLED THE AIR BAGS BECAME INOPERABLE AND CAUSED THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 05/10/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10500594

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2010
Air Bags

THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE PARTY TWO YEARS AGO. THE LOCAL DEALER AND ANOTHER SERVICE SHOP HAVE TOLD US THE AIRBAG SENSOR MAT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT IS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE RESULT BEING THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL…

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THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE PARTY TWO YEARS AGO. THE LOCAL DEALER AND ANOTHER SERVICE SHOP HAVE TOLD US THE AIRBAG SENSOR MAT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT IS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE RESULT BEING THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS REPAIR FOR OUR SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. HOWEVER, WHEN WE CONTACTED BMW THEY SAID THAT THE RECALL IS VIN # SPECIFIC AND OUR VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. IT IS OUR FEELING THAT OUR VEHICLE SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT BMW'S EXPENSE AS THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL OF OUR VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319863

56,200 miles · May 27, 2009
Air BagsExterior LightingSeat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS WERE INOPERATIVE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HIGH DRIVER RESISTOR IN THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE H…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS WERE INOPERATIVE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HIGH DRIVER RESISTOR IN THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 6/18/09 *CN THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SUCH AS THE SEAT BELTS JAMMING IN THE DOORS, THE COILS WERE REPLACED, THEMLEFT HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT THE FIRST MONTH OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE HATCH DOOR DID NOT FULLY CLOSE AT TIMES AND DID NOT LOCK. THE HATCH HAS BEEN REPAIRED 3 TIMES. THE HATCH WINDOW RATTLED, THE DEFROST DID NOT ALWAYS WORK, THE HEATING SYSTEM ONLY BLOWED AIR. THE BRAKES NKEPT GOING OUT. UPDATED 06/22/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10270042

38,000 miles · Jun 14, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2004 BMW X5 A PERSON RAN A STOP SIGN AND HIT ME IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, THE IMPACT WAS SO HARD MY SUV WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER LANE AND THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS "BLOWN OUT". THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE BUT AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. I HAVE SUSTAINED A CERVICAL AND A THORACIC …

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WHILE DRIVING OUR 2004 BMW X5 A PERSON RAN A STOP SIGN AND HIT ME IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, THE IMPACT WAS SO HARD MY SUV WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER LANE AND THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS "BLOWN OUT". THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE BUT AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. I HAVE SUSTAINED A CERVICAL AND A THORACIC SPINE INJURY (HERNIATED DISCS) AND CONTINUE TO BE UNDER MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR THE PAST 10 MONTHS. IN DECEMBER I HAD TO STOP WORKING AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. MAYBE IF THE AIRBAG WORKED PROPERLY I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SO SEVERLY INJURED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231029

Official recalls

4

04V409000 · Power Train:clutch Assembly:pedal/hand Lever(motorcycle)

Aug 18, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH 3.0 L ENGINES AND MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, IF THE VEHICLE IS IN FIRST GEAR, AND MOVING SLOWLY, WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HELD IN A CONSTANT POSITION OF LOW ENGINE SPEED AND WITH THE CLUTCH PEDAL HELD IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, ENGINE SPEED MAY INCREASE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL UNIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

04V402000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Aug 13, 2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE IN-TANK FUEL LINE MAY HAVE BEEN ATTACHED INCORRECTLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ENGINE STALLING COULD OCCUR, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE'S FUEL GAUGE INDICATES THAT FUEL IS PRESENT IN THE TANK. DEPENDING UPON TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITIONS, THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE IN-TANK SUCTION JET PUMP FUEL LINE AND IF NECESSARY, REATTACH ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. THIS RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

04V344000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Jul 14, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AS A RESULT, ENGINE STALLING WILL OCCUR AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF OPERATION. THE VEHICLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART. ALSO, A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND, AFTER REPEATED ACTUATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, A LOSS OF BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL OCCUR. THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL UNIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

03V475000 · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

Nov 14, 2003

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL, THE RIGHT OUTPUT SHAFT HOUSING FLANGE AT THE ENGINE, AND THE RIGHT-HAND ENGINE SUPPORT MAY BE INSUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WITH PROLONGED DRIVING, THESE BOLTS COULD BECOME LOOSE, CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HOUSINGS. THE RIGHT OUTPUT SHAFT COULD BECOME DISCONNECTED, AFFECTING THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE DRIVETRAIN FASTENERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 28, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.