BMW X5 Complaints (2004)

64 consumer complaints on file.

#11669369June 26, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
No start no crank sos light battery drain
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462118April 25, 2022
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle rpm’s rev wildly in park and neutral. When driving vehicle speeds up on its own and rpm’s climbs out of control. When stopped at a light or in traffic, car leaps forward against the break .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11366639October 27, 2020
STEERING
MY STEERING IS WAY TO TIGHT. AND ITS HARD TO MOVE THEVCAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11325415May 21, 2020
SEAT BELTS
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11181660February 21, 2019
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE JERKED SEVERELY. SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE POWERED DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER SAFELY ONTO THE SHOULDER. A MESSAGE INDICATING "FAIL SAFE" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO RAY CATENA BMW (543 TARRYTOWN RD, WHITE PLAINS, NY 10607, (914) 761-5555) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW ENGINE AND VALVE PUMP NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11102874June 20, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE CAR AND AIR VENTS WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION AIR CONDITIONING WAS RUNNING AND THE OWNER PULLED OVER AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT THE FIRE AND BROKE 3 WINDOWS UNNECESSARILY IN THE PROCESS. CAR ENDED UP BEING TOTALED AND RESIDES AT OWNERS PROPERTY. COULD BE BASED ON OTHER REPORTS AND A POSSIBLE RECALL ON BLOWER MOTOR ON 2001-2003 RECALLS WERE CHECKED AND ARE CURRENT ON THIS VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER AND NHTSA WEBSITE
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11072329February 12, 2018
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, BACK, AND NECK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11063391January 17, 2018
WHEELS
I BOUGHT 4 RUN-FLAT BRIDGESTONE TIRES FROM A BMW DEALERSHIP: DUELER H/L 400 [36110427162] ON JUNE 21, 2017 WITH MY SUV MILEAGE OF 169,318. YESTERDAY, 1/15/2018, I FOUND OUT MY TWO REAR TIRES WERE ALMOST BALD AFTER DRIVEN 10,384 MILES DUE TO SUMMER ROAD TRIP. SEVERAL TIMES THESE PAST FEW DAYS I FELT THE SUV WAS SLIPPING AND SLIDING EVEN THOUGHT NO ICE AROUND. THE TWO REAR TIRES HAVE MARKINGS OF DOT H491 DJE0716 AND DOT H491 DJE0216]. THE FRONT TWO TIRES [DOT H491 DJE4015 AND DOT H491 DJE3160] LOOK NEW COMPARED TO REAR - PLEASE SEE IMAGES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11014998August 14, 2017
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING
HAVE ACCIDENT.BECAUSE MY BMW X5 2004 WHEN START THE ENGINE..THE CAR JUMP. AND PROBLEMS WITH TRASMISSION NOT WORK GOOD WHEN L STAR DRIVING THE CAR JUMP THE SPEEDS NOT WORK GOOD THE GEARS 2 MONTHS AGO L HIT .THE FRONT CAR .BECAUSE MY CAR JUMP .IN HAVE TO PAY .THE OWNER THE OTHER CARS .HAVE TO MANY ACCIDENTS WITH BMW X5 2004..PLEASE YOU CAN HELP ME ..THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10992654June 1, 2017
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE OIL SERVICE AND BATTERY INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10985841May 15, 2017
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND IT SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE NEAREST INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN DRIVE SHAFT UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONTACTED THE BMW DEALER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED SINCE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10970464April 4, 2017
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES IN THE NECK AND BACK WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10958279March 2, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WATER DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE HAS TAKEN WATER IN THE REAR TRUNK AREA. WHEN LOOKED AT, THERE IS A PUDDLE OF STANDING WATER COVERING THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE RADIO AMPLIFIER AND OTHER ELECTRONICS. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND NOT MOVING. WATER SEEMS TO OCCUR ONLY WHEN RAINING. RADIO AND SPEAKERS DO NOT WORK AND GIVE OFF A RUFFLING SOUND EVEN WHEN KEY IS OUT OF THE IGNITION. WE HAVE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY FROM THE CAR TO PREVENT ANY FURTHER DAMAGES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10954819February 15, 2017
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A HOLE BURNED INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE CONTACT'S JACKET WAS ALSO BURNED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT HEATER HAD A MALFUNCTION. THE HEATER MECHANISMS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 06/07/17*LJ *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10948644January 31, 2017
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEAT WARMER BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT FELT THE HEAT OF THE BURNER COMING THROUGH THE SEAT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10786161October 26, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE, WHEELS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10703170April 1, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING LAMP KEPT FLASHING INTERMITTENTLY FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE VEHICLE STARTED RIDING ROUGHLY, SHAKING, AND VIBRATING. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE TECHNICIAN RESET THE CODE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE COIL SPRINGS AND THE SPARK PLUGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER A THIRD TIME SINCE THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10648978October 20, 2014
ENGINE
MY X5 HAS BEEN A FAIRLY RELIABLE VEHICLE WITH SOME QUIRKINESS ALONG THE WAY. I HAD A "CROSSOVER PIPE" TO START LEAKING COOLANT. THE THING TO LOOK FOR IS IF YOU OPEN YOUR HOOD, AND LOOK IN THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE (FROM THE FRONT), THERE IS A SMALL HOLE. COOLANT WILL COLLECT AND POUR OUT OF THAT HOLE ONTO THE GROUND. THE FIX THROUGH BMW IS ANYWHERE FROM $9000-$10,000.00; IF YOU ARE GOING TO ALLOW BMW TO REPLACE THE PART AND LABOR CHARGES WITH SOME PARTS. WHAT HAPPENS IS OVER TIME THE SEALS GO BACK IN THIS PART, AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET TO IT IS TO OPEN YOUR ENTIRE ENGINE, TO REPLACE THE PIPE. I WENT TO A LOCAL CAR SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN FOREIGN VEHICLE REPAIR NAMED KELLY MOSS MOTOR SPORTS NEAR MADISON WISCONSIN, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DO THIS JOB FOR UNDER $3000.00. THEY DID FANTASTIC WORK, AND MY VEHICLE HAS NOT LEAKED SINCE! THIS PART WILL EVENTUALLY GO BAD, ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIVE IN A CLIMATE WITH CONSTANT HOT TEMPS OR EXTREME WEATHER THAT GOES FROM HOT TO COLD (BOTH DESTROY THE RUBBER GASKETS IN THIS PIPE). I AM ATTACHING A LINK FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO SEE WHAT THE PIPE LOOKS LIKE. HTTPS://WWW.AGACOOLANTPIPE.COM/PRODUCT/N62-COOLANT-PIPE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10643715October 9, 2014
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
THE BMW X5 IS VERY POORLY MADE AND BMW DOES NOT STAND BEHIND ANY ISSUES OR CARE. MY 2004 BMW X5 HAS THE KNOWN JERKING AT LOW SPEEDS,TURNS WHICH FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN HIT IN THE [XXX] END. I ALSO WAS GOING TO WORK AND LOST ALL MY COOLANT, THE WATER PUMP AND COOLANT PIPE NEED REPLACED/REPAIRED WHICH IS NOT A CHEAP JOB..IT IS MORE THAN THE VALUE/COST OF THIS VEHICLE(IF DONE AT A BMW DEALER). THESE ISSUES ARE KNOWN AND VERY COMMON. BMW SHOULD ISSUE RECALLS FOR THESE PROBLEMS OR GIVE ASSISTANCE FOR REPAIRS INSTEAD OF CONSTANTLY MAKING EXCUSES AND GIVING REASONS ON WHY THEY WILL NOT HELP! I HAVE BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO ANYTHING I CAN TO GET ASSISTANCE FOR MY REPAIRS AND HOPEFULLY MANY OTHERS. BMW DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR BUYERS, UNLESS IT IS A NEW VEHICLE AND YOU DO ALL YOUR DEALINGS WITH A BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHICH I FEEL IS UNFAIR,CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHOOSE ANY GOOD MECHANIC INSTEAD OF HAVING TO TRAVEL TO AND/OR PAY BMW OUTRAGEOUS FEES FOR REPAIRS. IT IS NOT SAFE TO HAVE THESE ISSUES AND RUN OUT OF COOLANT(ANYWHERE ANYWAY FROM HOME) OR TO CONSTANTLY HAVE THE MASSIVE JERK WITH THE TRANSMISSION. BMW NEEDS TO ISSUE RECALLS AND STAND BEHIND THE TRANNY,COOLANT PIPE,AND WATER PUMP ISSUES AND FAILURES. THE BMW IS NOT WORTH THE MONEY, THEY ARE MADE POORLY, VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR, AND HAVE HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. BMW SAYS THE "INTERNET AND PEOPLE SAY ALOT OF THINGS BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN ITS A PROBLEM" AND AS I SAID TO THEM...WHEN MANY MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUES THEN YES, IT IS A REAL PROBLEM!!!! IT IS NOT LIKE PEOPLE ARE ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE OR RECALLS ON MINOR OR NORMAL REPAIRS AND MAINTENENCE!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10583742April 20, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY SMALL CHILD INSIDE THE SUV, ALL SUDDEN I SMELL GAS AND THEN THE SUV SHUT OFF AND LOCKED UP. WHITE SMOKED CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE. OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW GASOLINE FLOODED ALL OVER INSIDE ON THE ENGINE, HOOD, RADIATOR AND ALL COMPONENT OF THE SUV. WAS IN SHOCK AS I HAVE NEVER SEEN OR EXPERIENCE ANY THING LIKE THIS WITH AT LEAST 5 TO 10 GALLON OF GASOLINE LEAKING EVERY WHERE. IF THE SUV HADN'T STOP ON IT'S OWN IT WOULD HAVE START A FIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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