KnownCarProblems2004 BMW X5 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 BMW X5, most often about the transmission (17% of complaints, typically around 56,500 miles). It is 23rd of 27 X5 model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2004 BMW X5 problems
Transmission
11 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 56,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
I own a 2004 BMW X5, I purchased the car used from sam swope BMW in louisville ky # [phone] 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…
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…
Engine
11 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 102,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Tl 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…
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…
Electrical
10 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 102,500 miles.
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…
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…
Body and structure
7 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 67,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Our 2004, BMW x-5 door jammed on the front passenger side. I have contacted BMW, but they denied any problems concerning doors jamming. However, I conducted an internet search and found numerous postings discussing the door jamming. I advised BMW that I feel like my families safety is at risk due to the door failure.…
Tl contact owns a 2004 BMW X5. The contact noticed that the air bag warning light consistently illuminated on the instrument panel, which indicated that the frontal air bags were inoperative. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the high driver resistor in the air bag system was defective. The…
Doors and locks
7 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 98,500 miles.
Latch jam on driver door of BMW X5 year 2004. The door will not always shut when it is very cold. It will take 30 to 45 minutes after the car warms up to shut. BMW of north america does not claim this is faulty for a recall. They have received other complaints with this issue on older model X5's. Since alot of the…
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…
Seats
7 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
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…
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…
Air bags
6 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window, frontal.
The contact owns a 2004 BMW X5. The contact stated the sensor module on the passenger seat that controlled the air bags became inoperable and caused the air bag light to remain illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and stated they had to replace the air bag sensor at the owners expense. The manufacturer…
Tl contact owns a 2004 BMW X5. The contact noticed that the air bag warning light consistently illuminated on the instrument panel, which indicated that the frontal air bags were inoperative. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the high driver resistor in the air bag system was defective. The…
Visibility and wipers
5 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly, power window devices and controls, defroster/defogger/hvac system.
Tl contact owns a 2004 BMW X5. The contact noticed that the air bag warning light consistently illuminated on the instrument panel, which indicated that the frontal air bags were inoperative. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the high driver resistor in the air bag system was defective. The…
BMW window regulator fails for no apparent reason in all car models. Car has less than 36k miles and already fixing the third window. BMW service person explanation is due to the lack of use that causes this problem. Yet, driver's side, which is the one with most use, recently failed. This is a repeated problem in…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 BMW X5 recalls
Transmission: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
Risk: The vehicle could accelerate unexpectedly, which could result in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, the in-tank fuel line may have been attached incorrectly.
Transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 8 and 12 cylinder engines, the digital engine management control (emc) units were not produced according to specifications.
Transmission: differential unit
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and retighten the drivetrain fasteners. Owner notification began november 28, 2003. Owners should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2004 BMW X5
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 BMW X5?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (11 complaints, typically around 56,500 miles); engine (11 complaints, typically around 102,000 miles); electrical (10 complaints, typically around 102,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 BMW X5 have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 18, 2004 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the BMW X5?
- It is 23rd of 27 X5 model years by number of complaints, with 64 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.