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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

Structure complaints

7 reports
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125,000 miles · Oct 26, 2015
EngineStructureWheelsFireInjury

THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN TO THE POST OFFICE. UPON PARKING THE VEHICLE AT THE POST OFFICE, IT CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND THE FIRE DEPT. HAD TO BE CALLED TO FORCE OPEN THE HOOD TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED IN FRONT OF THE FIRE WALL. THE USPS MOVED…

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THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN TO THE POST OFFICE. UPON PARKING THE VEHICLE AT THE POST OFFICE, IT CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND THE FIRE DEPT. HAD TO BE CALLED TO FORCE OPEN THE HOOD TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED IN FRONT OF THE FIRE WALL. THE USPS MOVED EMPLOYEES/CUSTOMERS TO THE REAR OF THE BUILDING FOR PRECAUTION OF EXPLOSION AND SMOKE INHALATION OF THE BURNING PLASTIC, RUBBER AND RELATED PARTS. IT WAS FORTUNATE I COULD QUICKLY PARK RATHER THAN BEING ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #10786161

117,000 miles · Jun 13, 2013
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED, THE EXTERNAL DRIVER DOOR LATCH NOT WORKING, HAVE TO CLIMB OVER FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE, THIS IS RIDICULOUS, THIS IS ONE OF SEVERAL ISSUES I AM HAVING WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND SEE THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM AND IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY BMW. I HAVE HAD 2 OTHER USED …

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RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED, THE EXTERNAL DRIVER DOOR LATCH NOT WORKING, HAVE TO CLIMB OVER FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE, THIS IS RIDICULOUS, THIS IS ONE OF SEVERAL ISSUES I AM HAVING WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND SEE THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM AND IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY BMW. I HAVE HAD 2 OTHER USED VEHICLES WHICH BOTH HAVE LASTED ME 10 YEARS FROM THE DATES I PURCHASED THEM (AND THEY WERE ALREADY 8 AND 10 YEARS OLD. THIS IS MY FIRST BMW AND MIGHT BE MY LAST IF BMW DOES NOT TAKE ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLES SERIOUSLY AND HELP CONSUMERS. I AM SO SURPRISED AND DISAPPOINTED BY ALL OF THE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN IGNORED. THE DIFFERENCE COULD BE BIG BECAUSE THEY COULD LOSE ALOT OF WOULD-BE LOYAL CONSUMERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519727

17,000 miles · Jul 14, 2010
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS WATER ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, ONTO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, INTO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND ONTO THE FLOORBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED HE WOULD NEED TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR THE FAILURE BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY REPAIRS. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS WATER ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, ONTO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, INTO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND ONTO THE FLOORBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED HE WOULD NEED TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR THE FAILURE BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED AT HIS EXPENSE. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 17,000.

NHTSA ODI #10343217

31,000 miles · Jun 29, 2009
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE CLOSED THE TRUNK, HIS FINGER GOT CAUGHT DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. HE OPENED THE HATCH AND IT CAME DOWN FORCEFULLY ONTO HIS FINGER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE ONE YEAR AGO AND DAMAGED THE CONTACT'S FINGER. HE STATED THAT THE LID NEEDS TO BE OPENED COMPLETEL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE CLOSED THE TRUNK, HIS FINGER GOT CAUGHT DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. HE OPENED THE HATCH AND IT CAME DOWN FORCEFULLY ONTO HIS FINGER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE ONE YEAR AGO AND DAMAGED THE CONTACT'S FINGER. HE STATED THAT THE LID NEEDS TO BE OPENED COMPLETELY AND HALFWAY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ODI #10275269

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

79,000 miles · May 21, 2008
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

OUR 2004, BMW X-5 DOOR JAMMED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW, BUT THEY DENIED ANY PROBLEMS CONCERNING DOORS JAMMING. HOWEVER, I CONDUCTED AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND NUMEROUS POSTINGS DISCUSSING THE DOOR JAMMING. I ADVISED BMW THAT I FEEL LIKE MY FAMILIES SAFETY IS AT RISK DUE TO THE DOOR FAILURE. I ASKED T…

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OUR 2004, BMW X-5 DOOR JAMMED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW, BUT THEY DENIED ANY PROBLEMS CONCERNING DOORS JAMMING. HOWEVER, I CONDUCTED AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND NUMEROUS POSTINGS DISCUSSING THE DOOR JAMMING. I ADVISED BMW THAT I FEEL LIKE MY FAMILIES SAFETY IS AT RISK DUE TO THE DOOR FAILURE. I ASKED THEM TO PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY RISK AND COULD PUT MY FAMILY AT RISK. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE TO TRANSPORT MY FAMILY, DUE TO MY HUSBAND BEING ACTIVATED WITH THE MILITARY. BMW DENIED ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR. NONE OF THE PASSENGER DOORS CAN BE OPENED WITH A MANUAL KEY OR A MANUAL RELEASE. NONE OF THE DEVICES ON THE VEHICLE WILL OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR. NOTHING WORKS. WE CAN'T REMOVE THE PANEL, BECAUSE WE CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY RISK AND I FEAR THAT MY FAMILY AND NUMEROUS OTHER FAMILIES LIVES ARE AT RISK DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I AM REQUESTING IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE AND AN INVESTIGATION REGARDING THE BMW DOOR FAILURE. THE PROBLEM STARTED, WITH A DELAY IN THE DOOR UNLOCKING UPON PRESSING THE BUTTONS TO OPEN THE DOOR. THEN, IT JUST STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. I TRIED TO GET AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP, BUT IT WOULD BE WEEKS BEFORE I COULD GET ASSISTANCE. AND I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THIS EXPENSE WILL COME OUT OF MY POCKET, B/C IT'S NOT LISTED AS A RECALL OR SAFETY HAZARD. HOW CAN A DOOR FAILURE NOT BE A SAFETY HAZARD? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228603

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2006
Electrical SystemEquipmentLatches/locks/linkages

2004 BMW X5 STEERING VIBRATES AND PULLS SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT, CIGARETTE LIGHTER CAME APART,CENTER CONSOLE OPENS ON ITS OWN. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** WHEN THE CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOWER THAN THE OTHER, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE PULLING TO RIGHT AND THE…

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2004 BMW X5 STEERING VIBRATES AND PULLS SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT, CIGARETTE LIGHTER CAME APART,CENTER CONSOLE OPENS ON ITS OWN. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** WHEN THE CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOWER THAN THE OTHER, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE PULLING TO RIGHT AND THE HORRENDOUS VIBRATION. THE SEAT FRAME WAS LOUD BECAUSE IT MOVED BACK AND FOURTH AND DID NOT FULLY LAY FLAT. THE SUNROOF LEAKED. THE LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF AT REGULAR INTERVALS, THE LEFT REAR WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE, THE RIGHT REAR DOOR NEVER OPENED, THE HORN STARTING BLARING ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON. THE AUDIO CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT WORK. THE KEY SOMETIMES DID NOT UNLOCK OR LOCK THE DOORS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10148676

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.