IllustrationBMW X5 2005 A HOLE WAS BURNED INTO THE DRIVERS SEAT, BURNING MY LEG AND A HOLE IN MY SWEATER, WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2005 AND HAVE HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY.
2005 BMW X5
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2005 BMW X5 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 100.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all X5 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40–25K
725–50K
1450–75K
1675–100K
20100–150K
3150K+
64 reports with mileage · 18 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports5 fire reports9 injury reports
Seats complaints
7 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X5. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND THE CONTACT'S PANTS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
SEAT HEATER GOT TOO HOT . IT MADE A BURNT HOLE IN SEAT, MY PANTS AND BURNED ME. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WITH THE SEAT HEATER ACTIVATED, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BEGAN TO GET HOT AND THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT REDUCED THE HEAT FOR THE SEAT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE SEAT HEATING OPTION WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WITH THE SEAT HEATER ACTIVATED, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BEGAN TO GET HOT AND THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT REDUCED THE HEAT FOR THE SEAT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE SEAT HEATING OPTION WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
SEAT HEATER BURNED HOLE THROUGH DRIVER SIDE SEAT CUSHION & BURNED MY LEG. *TR
BMW X-5 2005 HEATED SEATS TURN INSTANTLY BURNING HOT TO THE TOUCH. RESULTING CHARRED BLACK SEAT UNDERNEATH LEATHER EXTERIOR. THIS CAN CAUSE A FIRE OR AND INDIVIDUAL BE BURNED. BMW CHARGED $200.00 TO VERIFY THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT UNWILLING TO RECALL. THE SEAT UNDERNEATH THE LEATHER IS BURNED BLACK AND LUCKY IS DID NOT START FI…
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BMW X-5 2005 HEATED SEATS TURN INSTANTLY BURNING HOT TO THE TOUCH. RESULTING CHARRED BLACK SEAT UNDERNEATH LEATHER EXTERIOR. THIS CAN CAUSE A FIRE OR AND INDIVIDUAL BE BURNED. BMW CHARGED $200.00 TO VERIFY THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT UNWILLING TO RECALL. THE SEAT UNDERNEATH THE LEATHER IS BURNED BLACK AND LUCKY IS DID NOT START FIRE. *TR
2005 BMW X5 - PASSENGER SEAT HEATER HEATED UP EXCESSIVELY TO THE POINT OF BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE BACK OF SEAT. NOTICED A BURNING SMELL OF LEATHER AND THEN DISCOVERED HOLE BURNED THROUGH. PASSENGER ALSO FELT EXCESSIVE HEAT ON BACK BY LEFT SHOULDER. REPORTED THIS TO BMW AND THEY MADE NO OFFER TO FIX. COST TO REPAIR THIS IS $17…
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2005 BMW X5 - PASSENGER SEAT HEATER HEATED UP EXCESSIVELY TO THE POINT OF BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE BACK OF SEAT. NOTICED A BURNING SMELL OF LEATHER AND THEN DISCOVERED HOLE BURNED THROUGH. PASSENGER ALSO FELT EXCESSIVE HEAT ON BACK BY LEFT SHOULDER. REPORTED THIS TO BMW AND THEY MADE NO OFFER TO FIX. COST TO REPAIR THIS IS $1750.00. THE CONCERN I HAVE IS WHEN I RESELL THIS CAR TO SOMEONE ELSE IF NOT FIXED COULD CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FUTURE. *TR
Official recalls
205V504000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Nov 1, 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE PARKING LOCK SYSTEM NOT TO ENGAGE, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED IN THE PARK ("P") POSITION. IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED, THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ROLLAWAY CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR AND REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GUIDE PLATE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-332-4269.
05V367000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Aug 26, 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ATTACHMENT OF THE BRAKE LINE SUPPORT BRACKET WITHIN THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WELL WAS NOT WELDED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. IT COULD LOOSEN AND OVER TIME THE BRAKE HOSE COULD RUB AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE HOSE COULD BECOME DAMAGED TO THE POINT WHERE A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ATTACH THE BRAKE LINE SUPPORT BRACKET TO THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WELL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.