Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
70–25K
725–50K
950–75K
1275–100K
11100–150K
9150K+
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
14,000 miles · Sep 13, 2005
Power Train
DEAR SIR OR MADAM- PLEASE SEE THE EMAIL BELOW WHICH I SENT TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA REGARDING RECURRING TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH OUR X5. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM ASKING FOR YOUR HELP TO GET BMW TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. ___________________ DEAR SIR OR MADAM- PLEASE LET THIS EMAIL SERVE AS A FORMAL COMPLAINT FOR THE TRA…
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DEAR SIR OR MADAM- PLEASE SEE THE EMAIL BELOW WHICH I SENT TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA REGARDING RECURRING TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH OUR X5. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM ASKING FOR YOUR HELP TO GET BMW TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. ___________________ DEAR SIR OR MADAM- PLEASE LET THIS EMAIL SERVE AS A FORMAL COMPLAINT FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF OUR 2004 X5 4.4. I HAVE LOST BOTH MY PATIENCE AND CONFIDENCE IN OUR X5 AND FEEL THAT THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN (2 1/2 AND 16 MONTHS) IS AT RISK AS THIS IS THE PRIMARY VEHICLE THEY ARE TRANSPORTED IN. ALL OCCUPANTS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS EXPERIENCE A HEAD JERKING WHICH IN ITSELF IS UNSAFE. IN REVIEWING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF POSTINGS REGARDING THE 2004 X5 4.4 TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT BMW IS FULLY AWARE OF AND HAS FAILED TO FIX. OUR X5 HAS A TRANSMISSION THAT IS "SLIPPING" AND IT FEELS LIKE WE HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED EACH TIME IT SLIPS. THE X5 HAS BEEN IN TWICE FOR THIS ISSUE IN THE PAST THREE WEEKS AT STERLING BMW AND IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. STERLING HAS REPROGRAMMED THE DME AND REBUILT IT WITH NO SUCCESS. IT IS GOING IN FOR A THIRD TIME TODAY FOR THIS SAME ISSUE AND I EXPECT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY. ACCORDING TO EVERYTHING I HAVE READ, THE X5 NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AND THAT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IF THIS ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY, WE HAVE AN ATTORNEY AND WE WILL EXERCISE OUR RIGHTS UNDER THE CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW. I WILL ALSO BE NOTIFYING THE NHTSA TODAY AND FILING A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THEM OVER THIS ISSUE AS THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE. STERLING BMW HAS BEEN VERY GOOD TO DEAL WITH AND THEY HAVE TRIED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, BUT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA NEEDS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THE TOOLS TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. FINALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT WE ARE NOT NEW TO THE BMW FAMILY. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU. SINCERELY, [NAME REMOVED] MANAGING DIRECTOR DEUTSCHE BANK. *NM FSB
NHTSA ODI #10136355
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V344000 CONCERNING ENGINE CONTROL MODULE/ENGINE STALLING. AFTER HAVING THE NEW DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL UNIT INSTALLED THE VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE DRIVER NOTICED FLUID LEA…
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NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V344000 CONCERNING ENGINE CONTROL MODULE/ENGINE STALLING. AFTER HAVING THE NEW DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL UNIT INSTALLED THE VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE DRIVER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH HE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL HOSE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10111032
5,000 miles · Jan 24, 2005
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *JB THERE WERE RANDOM PROBLEMS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATED FROM STOP. THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM WOULD FAIL 3-5 TIMES PER WEEK. THE PROBLEM WAS UNABLE TO BE SOLVED. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10105248
4,000 miles · Mar 31, 2004
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SHUTS DOWN WHILE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING. A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES SAYING TRANSMISSION HAS SHUT DOWN. *AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
2004 BMW X5 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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