The 2005 BMW 5 Series has 5 safety recalls and 21 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (10 complaints).
Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints21filed by owners
Crashes · fires2 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
NHTSA recall 12E029000 · Aug 10, 2012 · 585 vehicles
Problem: This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
Risk: This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Fix: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables
NHTSA recall 12V126000 · Mar 26, 2012 · 367,682 vehicles
Problem: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
Risk: OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.
Fix: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
NHTSA recall 10V446000 · Oct 1, 2010 · 198,352 vehicles
Problem: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Risk: POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
Air bags › Frontal
NHTSA recall 08V384000 · Aug 5, 2008 · 200,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED.
Risk: IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REWORK THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT SO THAT EXTERNAL FORCE APPLICATION TO THE SEAT DOES NOT CAUSE A CRACK TO THE MAT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2008. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
Power train › Automatic transmission
NHTSA recall 05V504000 · Nov 1, 2005 · 240 vehicles
Problem: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2005 BMW 5 Series 4-DR w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags Frontal
10
0
0
0
71,512 mi
Electrical system
4
1
1
0
80,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Power assist › Vacuum
2
0
0
0
—
Power train
2
1
0
0
—
Visibility Sun/moon roof assembly
1
0
0
0
—
Suspension Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
1
0
0
0
—
Tires Pressure monitoring and regulating systems
1
0
0
0
—
Latches/locks/linkages Doors › Latch
1
0
0
0
—
Steering
1
1
0
0
—
Seats
1
0
0
0
—
Seat belts
1
0
0
0
—
Service brakes
1
1
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jan 1, 2017 · 80,000 miles · crashService brakes THERE ARE 3 RECALLS REPORTED FOR MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF A CAR I JUST PURCHASED THAT AT GIVING ME PROBLEMS AND I'M RECEIVING WARNING MESSAGES ON MY NAVIGATION BUT MY VIN IS NOT REGISTERING WITH DEALERSHIP FOR BEING ELIGIBLE FOR RESOLUTION PLEASE REPLY BACK WITH STEPS TO REPAIR
Jan 10, 2016 · 177,777 milesElectrical system BMW I-DRIVE CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING, AND BLINKS OR REBOOTS. WHILE DRIVING HOME IT CUT OUT, AND WOULD NOT STOP BLINKING. THIS DISTRACTION AND MALFUNCTION IS DANGEROUS.
Mar 18, 2015 · 29,500 milesSeat belts ON THE MORNING OF 3/18/2015 AT 8 AM. I STARTED THE CAR AND RECEIVED A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING ON THE DISPLAY. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. *TR
Mar 16, 2015 · 71,000 milesAir bags TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 5-SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
Aug 1, 2012Power train TRANSMISSION JERKS AS IF YOU ARE MISSING A SPARK OR IT IS TRYING TO FIND A HIGHER OR LOWER GEAR WHILE CRUISING IN TRAFFIC BETWEEN 32-40 MPH. *TR
Mar 14, 2014 · 106,240 milesAir bags HELLO, I'VE GOT AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO ON MY BMW E60 530I 2005. THE BOARD COMPUTER IT SAYS: "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM" MALFUNCTION. I WENT TO THE DEALER IN VEGAS AND HE TOOK THE LIGHT OFF, AFTER ONE WEEK IT CAME OUT AGAIN. I'M WONDERING ABOUT MYSELF SAFETY AND MY PASSENGERS AS WELL. I'M ASKING YOU TO HELP ME TO FIX THAT PROBLEM AS SOONER AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU *TR
May 2, 2014 · 72,025 milesAir bags 2005 BMW 525I. PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. CONCLUSION FROM MECHANIC WAS THAT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT MAT WAS BROKEN PER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA08001. TOOK VEHICLE TO IRVINE BMW FOR REPAIR UNDER EXTENDED SEAT MAT WARRANTY. IRVINE BMW SAID THAT PASSENGER SEAT MAT DID NOT CAUSE MALFUNCTION. REPAIRS WOULD COST $1,075. REPAIRS WERE DECLINED BECAUSE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WOULD CHARGE $400. IRVINE BMW CHARGED A $170 DIAGNOSIS FEE. *TR
Jul 1, 2013Air bags SAME ISSUE AS EVERY OTHER 2005 530I OWNER HAS HAD. MY BATTERY WAS LOW AND NEEDED REPLACED AND AFTER A NEW BATTERY WAS PURCHASED AND INSTALLED THE FAULT LIGHT CAME ON THE I-DRIVE SYSTEM FOR THE AIRBAG. BMW DEALER REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AS MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WHEN THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON A FAULTY SYSTEM WHY THIS SHOULD NOT BE REPAIRED, OBVIOUSLY THEY KNOW THAT THE ISSUE IS THERE BUT DO NOT WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY TO FIX THEIR ISSUE. SO MUCH FOR THE GERMAN ENGINEERED ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE. WITH ALL OF THE TECHNOLOGY COMES ALL OF THE ISSUES IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE A MANUFACTURER STAND BEHIND THEIR CAR FOR A CHANGE.......IF I…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA08001 · opened Jan 4, 2008 · closed Dec 31, 2008 · led to recall 08V384000BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S…
PE07045 · opened Sep 4, 2007 · closed Jan 4, 2008BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION IN CERTAIN MY 2005 THROUGH MY 2006 BMW VEHICLES, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) FOR THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG MAY MALFUNCTION AND RENDER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INOPERATIVE.IN JUNE 2006, BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SI B 72 02 06) REGARDING THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP.ILLUMINATION OF THESE LIGHTS WARN THAT AN OPEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY BE PRESENT WITHIN THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR.WHEN BOTH OF THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED, THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.CERTAIN BMW VEHICLES IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CONTAIN THE SAME SEAT MAT SENSOR.THESE ARE THE MY 2004 5-SERIES, 7-SERIES AND X3, THE MY 2004 THROUGH 2006Z-4 SERIES AND MY 2006 3-SERIES, 6-SERIES AND X5 VEHICLES.AN IMPROVED SEAT MAT SENSOR WAS INTRODUCED IN DECEMBER 2005 FOR THE MID-MY 2006 PRODUCTION.IN RESPONSE TO…