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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
99,000 miles · Oct 4, 2010
Power Train

MY BMX 5 (2004) STALLS OCCASIONALLY AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS. THE SERVICE CENTER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE. I'M USUALLY EXITING A PARKING LOT OR SCHOOL WHEN IT OCCURS AND ESTIMATED SPEED IS BETWEEN 5 AND 10 MPH. THERE ARE NO SENSORS OR WARNING INDICAT…

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MY BMX 5 (2004) STALLS OCCASIONALLY AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS. THE SERVICE CENTER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE. I'M USUALLY EXITING A PARKING LOT OR SCHOOL WHEN IT OCCURS AND ESTIMATED SPEED IS BETWEEN 5 AND 10 MPH. THERE ARE NO SENSORS OR WARNING INDICATORS BEFORE OR AFTER THE INCIDENT AND A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AT THE BMW SERVICE CENTER REVEALED NO SENSORS OR INDICATORS ACTIVATED. THERE WERE TWO RECALLS FOR BMW X 5 2004 MODELS THAT WERE RELATED TO STALLING BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE. I'M CONCERNED THE PROBLEM WILL RESULT IN A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358983

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

35,000 miles · Mar 25, 2010
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Electric

BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP FAILING DUE TO METAL USED FOR CONNECTIONS OR COMPUTER ALLOWING TOO MUCH ELECTRICAL JUICE TO CONNECTION. THIS HAPPENS EVERY FEW MONTHS WHEN THE METAL CONNECTION TURNS BLACK. IT NOW HAS MELTED & DAMAGED THE TAIL LITE UNIT AND THE ENTIRE TAIL LITE ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED TO FIX IT. THE UNIT IS VERY EXPENSIVE. I …

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BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP FAILING DUE TO METAL USED FOR CONNECTIONS OR COMPUTER ALLOWING TOO MUCH ELECTRICAL JUICE TO CONNECTION. THIS HAPPENS EVERY FEW MONTHS WHEN THE METAL CONNECTION TURNS BLACK. IT NOW HAS MELTED & DAMAGED THE TAIL LITE UNIT AND THE ENTIRE TAIL LITE ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED TO FIX IT. THE UNIT IS VERY EXPENSIVE. I HAVE NOT REPLACED IT. I HAVE BEEN SCRAPING THE BLACK OFF THE METAL CONNECTOR FOR PROBABLY 4 YEARS. NOW THE MECHANIC SAYS THE ENTIRE TAIL LITE ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE NOT REPLACED IT. I ASK IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND THEY SAID NO.

NHTSA ODI #10322228

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

73,000 miles · Mar 5, 2010
Suspension

THE SELF LEVELING SUSPENSION IS MALFUNCTIONING. WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE OVER A YEAR AND IT HAS BEEN INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT 12 TIMES IN LESS THEN ONE YEAR AND I HAVE NOT HAD ME CAR FOR CLOSE TO 12 WEEKS DUE TO THE MULTIPLE REPAIRS TO THE SUSPENSION/ ABS/ 4X4 DIFFERENTIAL . MY CAR HAS LOST CONTROL OVER 4 TIMES AND IS NOT S…

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THE SELF LEVELING SUSPENSION IS MALFUNCTIONING. WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE OVER A YEAR AND IT HAS BEEN INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT 12 TIMES IN LESS THEN ONE YEAR AND I HAVE NOT HAD ME CAR FOR CLOSE TO 12 WEEKS DUE TO THE MULTIPLE REPAIRS TO THE SUSPENSION/ ABS/ 4X4 DIFFERENTIAL . MY CAR HAS LOST CONTROL OVER 4 TIMES AND IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. WE BOUGHT THE X5 WITH THE ADDITIONAL WARRANTY NOVEMBER 2008. SINCE THEM I HAVE NOT HAD MY CAR FOR ALMOST 3 FULL MONTHS DUE TO MULTIPLE REPAIRS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. WE HAVE GOTTEN THE CAR BACK FROM SERVICE ONLY TO FAIL AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. LAST TIME THE SUSPENSION WENT OUT WE WERE IN LAKE TAHOE IN THE MIDDLE OF A SNOW STORM AND EVEN THE BMW ASSIST WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. I HAVE INCLUDED A COPY OF AL THE SERVICE RECEIPTS. WE DO NOT FELL IN GOOD FAITH I COULD SELL THIS VEHICLE TO ANOTHER CONSUMER WITHOUT PUTTING THEIR FAMILY IN JEOPARDY. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FOR ITS SAFETY SINCE I HAVE THREE CHILDREN, AND IT IS NOT SAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10317247

39,000 miles · Feb 22, 2010
Power Train

I OWN A 2004 BMW X5, I PURCHASED THE CAR USED FROM SAM SWOPE BMW IN LOUISVILLE KY # 502-499-5080 THE CAR WAS CERTIFIED AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY WITH 37,000 MILES ON IT. I ALSO PURCHASED A EXTENDED WARRANTY AS WELL. MY COMPLAINT IS THE TRANSMISSION IS CAUSING THE CAR TO BE UNSAFE, AT TIMES WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP OR ROLL IT WI…

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I OWN A 2004 BMW X5, I PURCHASED THE CAR USED FROM SAM SWOPE BMW IN LOUISVILLE KY # 502-499-5080 THE CAR WAS CERTIFIED AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY WITH 37,000 MILES ON IT. I ALSO PURCHASED A EXTENDED WARRANTY AS WELL. MY COMPLAINT IS THE TRANSMISSION IS CAUSING THE CAR TO BE UNSAFE, AT TIMES WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP OR ROLL IT WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY I HAVE COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS BMW. THE FIRST TIME IT DID IT THE DEALER SAID THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED I PAID OVER $150.00 TO HAVE THIS DONE THEY SAID IT WOULD FIX IT. FOR AWHILE I THOUGHT IT HAD TAKEN CARE OF IT BUT SEVERAL MONTHS LATER IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. AFTER MORE COMPLAINTS TO BMW DEALER THEY DID ANOTHER SOFTWARE UPDATE AND CHARGED ME AGAIN. THIS TIME IT SEEMED LIKE THEY RESTARTED THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CAR. BMW CLAIMS THAT IT IS NOT SHOWING ANY MALFUNCTIONS IN THE COMPUTER THEY CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, IF THAT IS TRUE THEN WHY DO THEY KEEP SAYING I NEED TO UPDATE THE SOFTWARE AND KEEP CHARGING ME FOR THIS, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DOES THIS IT ALL MOST LIKE SOME HAS HIT YOU FROM THE REAR. THE CAR HAS 88,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS CONTINUED TO THIS, I HAVE ACTUALLY ALTERED THE WAY I TAKE OFF FROM A STAND STILL TO AVOIDING THIS FROM HAPPENING. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE IF YOU LOOK ON LINE AT EDMUNDS CARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312760

6,000 miles · Feb 19, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10312191

101,000 miles · Feb 16, 2010
Seats

2004 BMW X5. DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING A BURN IN THE SEAT AND BURNED THE PANTS OF THE DRIVER. CONTACTED THE BMW SERVICE CENTER IN RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA WHERE THE SITUATION WILL BE RECTIFIED SOON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310898

43,702 miles · Jan 26, 2010
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH AND MAKING A TURN THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND FELT AS IF THERE WERE NO TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS BROKEN. THE SUSPENSION HAS FAILED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4370…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH AND MAKING A TURN THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND FELT AS IF THERE WERE NO TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS BROKEN. THE SUSPENSION HAS FAILED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43702 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69075.

NHTSA ODI #10302394

56,000 miles · Jan 21, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages

WE HAVE A 2004 BMW X5, AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR INSIDE OPENING MECHANISM HAS BROKEN TWICE; ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND ONCE AFTER. THE REPAIR COSTS NEARLY $800, SO MANY WILL NOT PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE PROBLEM ENDANGERS THE DRIVER IF IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEEDING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, AND IT IS CAUSED BY THE ROUTING OF THE CABLE THROUGH…

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WE HAVE A 2004 BMW X5, AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR INSIDE OPENING MECHANISM HAS BROKEN TWICE; ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND ONCE AFTER. THE REPAIR COSTS NEARLY $800, SO MANY WILL NOT PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE PROBLEM ENDANGERS THE DRIVER IF IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEEDING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, AND IT IS CAUSED BY THE ROUTING OF THE CABLE THROUGH A PLASTIC PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10301696

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.