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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

64 reports
74,160 miles · Jul 13, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE'S GEAR DID NOT ILLUMINATE TO DISPLAY WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE GEAR CIRCUIT RANGE FAILED AND THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE'S GEAR DID NOT ILLUMINATE TO DISPLAY WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE GEAR CIRCUIT RANGE FAILED AND THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,160.

NHTSA ODI #10465593

90,000 miles · Jun 28, 2012
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL TURNED PINK. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A FISHY ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE HAD BURNED THE ALTERNATOR. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BATT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL TURNED PINK. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A FISHY ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE HAD BURNED THE ALTERNATOR. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR. THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10463390

43,130 miles · Oct 31, 2011
Exterior Lighting

THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES (BRAKE LIGHTS AND RUNNING LIGHTS) HAS FAILED ON THIS VEHICLE THREE TIMES( THE LEFT ASSEMBLY AND ONCE ON THE RIGHT). ALL FAILURES WERE DUE TO CORROSION (VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT). THE LEFT ASSEMBLY FAILED IN NOVEMBER 2006 (AT APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MILES) AND AGAIN IN MARCH 2011 (AT APPROXI…

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THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES (BRAKE LIGHTS AND RUNNING LIGHTS) HAS FAILED ON THIS VEHICLE THREE TIMES( THE LEFT ASSEMBLY AND ONCE ON THE RIGHT). ALL FAILURES WERE DUE TO CORROSION (VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT). THE LEFT ASSEMBLY FAILED IN NOVEMBER 2006 (AT APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MILES) AND AGAIN IN MARCH 2011 (AT APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MILES). THE RIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED IN FEBRUARY 2009 (AT APPROXIMATELY 68,000 MILES). THESE FAILURES ARE NOT LIGHT BULBS THAT BURNT OUT BUT COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE HOUSING THAT HOLDS THE LIGHT BULBS. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. WHEN THE DASHBOARD MESSAGE INDICATES "CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS" OR "CHECK REAR LIGHTS" AND I DO THE LIGHTS APPEAR TO WORK FINE (ALL LIGHTS ON WHEN SWITCHED ON OR WHEN BRAKES APPLIED). MESSAGE GOES OFF AND MAY STAY OFF FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND THEN RETURNS AND LIGHTS UP WITH EVERY APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. THERE ARE SEVERAL SIMILAR CARS IN USE AND ALL OF THEM HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433716

51,000 miles · Sep 16, 2011
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10425743

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2011
Exterior Lighting

THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE INTERMITTENTLY INOPERABLE. CHANGED BULBS WITH SAME RESULTS. APPEARS TO BE CORRODED AND/OR BURNED CONTACTS ON THE LAMP ASSEMBLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10424025

85,000 miles · Jun 15, 2011
Power Train

1. DID A 3 POINT TURN AND THEN PULLED ONTO A 45 MPH ROAD WAY 2. FRONT TIRES LOCKED UP AND I SKIDDED TO A STOP, EVEN AFTER I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH. 3. FRONT DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE, WAS REPLACE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM 4. FORTUNATELY THE PERSON FOLLOWING ME WAS NOT TAILGATING SO NO ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10407054

110,000 miles · Jun 8, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. IN ORDER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WOULD CLIMB IN THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE COULD BE A FRACTURED BRACKET AND TO BR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. IN ORDER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WOULD CLIMB IN THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE COULD BE A FRACTURED BRACKET AND TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10405608

102,000 miles · Dec 20, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE BATTERY, 4X4, AND TRANS FAIL SAFE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. ONCE THE VEHICLE STALLED THE BRAKES NO LONGER FUNCTIONED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO COAST IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE BATTERY, 4X4, AND TRANS FAIL SAFE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. ONCE THE VEHICLE STALLED THE BRAKES NO LONGER FUNCTIONED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO COAST IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART SO IT WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 102,000.

NHTSA ODI #10371269

58,495 miles · Dec 17, 2010
SeatsFire

2004 X5, 58,000 MILE. DRIVERS HEATED SEAT BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER AND MY LEFT LEG/BUTTOCK AREA WAS BURNED. I SWITCHED OFF THE SEAT BUTTON, AND PUT OUT THE GLOWING LEATHER SEAT FIRE. THIS BURNED ME SLIGHTLY AND COULD HAVE CAUSE A SERIOUS FIRE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE BMW DEALER AND SAID IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL O…

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2004 X5, 58,000 MILE. DRIVERS HEATED SEAT BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER AND MY LEFT LEG/BUTTOCK AREA WAS BURNED. I SWITCHED OFF THE SEAT BUTTON, AND PUT OUT THE GLOWING LEATHER SEAT FIRE. THIS BURNED ME SLIGHTLY AND COULD HAVE CAUSE A SERIOUS FIRE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE BMW DEALER AND SAID IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL OR WARRANTY. APPROX. COST IS 750.00 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY MANUFACTURE. I SEE THERE IS A PATTERN OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS ITEM. HELP!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10371048

90,000 miles · Dec 15, 2010
Seats

DRIVER SIDE SEAT OVERHEATED AND CAUSED A BURN TO SEAT. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY FIXED THE SYSTEM BUT WANTED TO CHARGE ME APPROX$1000 FOR THE SEAT COVER. WHEN I RESISTED THE CHARGE, THEY CHANGED THE SEAT COVER AT NO CHARGE. NO PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS WERE FOUND. JUST CHECKED YOUR WEBSITE AN THERE SEEMS TO BE A SIMILAR PR…

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DRIVER SIDE SEAT OVERHEATED AND CAUSED A BURN TO SEAT. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY FIXED THE SYSTEM BUT WANTED TO CHARGE ME APPROX$1000 FOR THE SEAT COVER. WHEN I RESISTED THE CHARGE, THEY CHANGED THE SEAT COVER AT NO CHARGE. NO PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS WERE FOUND. JUST CHECKED YOUR WEBSITE AN THERE SEEMS TO BE A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN RALEIGH NC. I SOLD THE CAR IN 2008. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370715

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.