2005 BMW X5

● Typical for this model

2005 BMW X5
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:36:04.080Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2005: 82 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1999	0
2000	29
2001	160
2002	102
2003	99
2004	64
2005	82
2006	168
2007	71
2008	215
2009	138
2010	124
2011	263
2012	271
2013	148
2014	98
2015	152
2016	73
2017	73
2018	71
2019	184
2020	110
2021	103
2022	67
2023	31
2024	145
2025	61
2026	22

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

AIR BAGS 20%

20% of complaints: air bags — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES AN HOUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME MADE A PANIC STOP AND I CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF IT. MY AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121125

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%

18% of complaints: electrical system — 15 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN MAY 2013. ON JULY 25, I HAD JUST STARTED THE CAR AND BLACK SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT OF THE VENTS. NO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. I TURNED OFF THE VCAR AND WENT FOR HELP.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130726

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).

NHTSA ODI report, 20120808

SERVICE BRAKES 17%

17% of complaints: service brakes — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

ENGINE 15%

15% of complaints: engine — 12 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY DEATH

POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission.

INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100923

I OWN A 2000 BMW X5 THAT COST APPROXIMATELY $62,000. MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 27,593 MILES AND NEEDS TRANSMISSION REPAIRS TOTALLY OVER $8,000. I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050920

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20051028 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 BRAK

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.

Campaign 05V367000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20051130 — power train

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.

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.

Campaign 05V504000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070913 — equipment

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BMW BIKE CARRIERS, P/N 82110393954, SOLD FOR USE ON MY 2005 BMW X3 AND X5 VEHICLES. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE HITCH STYLE B

Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES TOLL-FRE

Campaign 07E069000 — check if this car was fixed