KnownCarProblems2005 BMW X5 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 82 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 BMW X5, most often about the engine (21% of complaints, typically around 83,000 miles). It is 17th of 27 X5 model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2005 BMW X5 problems
Engine
17 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
The contact owns a 2005 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle would stall without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who informed the contact that the failure was caused by the oil separator. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.…
The contact owns a 2005 BMW X5. After the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the vehicle was leaking oil without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the valve cover gasket was leaking oil onto the engine and needed to be replaced, along with the timing chain cover…
Air bags
16 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 115,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2005 BMW X5. The contact stated that while the driver was at a complete stop, another driver failed to yield the right of way and crashed into the passenger side causing the vehicle to spin several times. The driver's side frontal air bags failed to deploy. Additionally, the passenger front and rear…
Tl * the contact owns a 2005 BMW X5. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated and displayed that it was deactivated when the passenger seat was occupied. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact stated that there was a manufacturer's recall for the failure but the vehicle was not…
Electrical
15 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 115,000 miles.
Both taillight housing circuit boards shorts out. Burns between housing and adapter . Thus causes a break in the circuit and you don't have any taillights. This is a safety concern and is illegal to go with no taillights.
Last saturday while driving down the highway our (2005 X5) air conditioner began smoking, especially on the passenger side. We pulled over and within 10 minutes the entire cab was engulfed in flames (no flames under the hood). We were able to get out of the vehicle before the flames erupted. The vehicle is totaled…
Brakes
15 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 92,500 miles.
2005 BMW x-5 brakes fail to stop vehicle due to malfunction of the hydraulic brake booster. This is an ongoing problem. It will require buying a new brake booster and paying for its installation, cost of over $1000. The same problem has caused the recall of BMW 7 series from several model years.
The contact owns 2005 BMW X5 4.4. The contact was driving 10 MPH when the power assist for the brakes failed. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where they replaced the vacuum pump and brake booster due to an oil leak. The manufacturer was contacted and they stated that they were aware of the failure but…
Transmission
9 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
I have had a message come up on my bmx X5 saying "trans.failsafe.prog. The first time was on 7/31/09 they said nothing was wrong or came up when they drove it at the dealership. On 9/09/09 the same message popped up and my car would not change gears and felt like it was going to shut off.
BMW's high instances of "hard 2-1 downshift" as they call it. Many models of BMW's experience a feeling of being rear ended while slowing to a stop and then asking for an acceleration. Also described as "slip and slam" by many people, there is an obvious defect in the transmission. This problem seems to get…
Fuel system
8 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 83,500 miles.
I bought a 2005 BMW X5 this may. I feel dizzy and nausea each time I drive it and I didn't know the reason until recently. I bought a gauss meter to check computer emf in my study room recently. Emf is showing as safe in front of every computer in my study room. To my surprise, it showed as danger after I started my…
Engine iced up and hydro-locked from condensate. Stalled in traffic with slippery roads, in front of a logging truck. Very narrowly escaped collision. Found many incidents of this on internet and it appears that BMW has allowed this to continue over time and is not acknowledging issue. Repair shop I'm using has dealt…
Seats
7 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 97,500 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
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.
BMW 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.
Lights
5 complaints · 6%Tl contact owns a 2005 BMW X5. The contact stated that the rear brake lights did not work. The dealer stated that the lamp shorted and the wires were burned. The lamp was replaced at an estimated cost of $600. Shortly after the repair, the rear passenger side lamp failed. The failure mileage was 68,383 and current…
Takata recall my brake light comes on telling me that they do not work. But some times they are still working and some times there are not! When checking the light removed right side bulb (good) put light bulb back in works fine for a week or so. Then it's starts all over again.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 BMW X5 recalls
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with an incorrectly manufactured automatic transmission parking pawl guide plate.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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 2005 BMW X5
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 BMW X5?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (17 complaints, typically around 83,000 miles); air bags (16 complaints, typically around 115,000 miles); electrical (15 complaints, typically around 115,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 BMW X5 have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 1, 2005 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the BMW X5?
- It is 17th of 27 X5 model years by number of complaints, with 82 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.