Problem: 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 BICYCLE RACK.
Risk: WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH POINT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING A SEVERE INJURY TO THE USER'S FINGER OR HAND.
Fix: 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-FREE AT 800-831-1117.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA recall 05V367000 · Aug 26, 2005 · 165 vehicles
Problem: 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.
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.
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
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2005 BMW X5 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.
Fuel economy
X5
16mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel
X5
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel
X5
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel
X5 4.8is
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.8 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags Frontal
16
3
0
4
115,000 mi
Electrical system
15
0
3
1
115,000 mi
Engine
12
0
1
1
86,750 mi
Service brakes
10
0
0
0
110,128 mi
Power train Automatic transmission
9
0
0
2
56,000 mi
Seats Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
7
0
1
2
97,500 mi
Exterior lighting
5
0
0
0
78,729 mi
Structure Body; Body › Roof and pillars
5
0
0
1
25,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine
5
0
0
0
83,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic
4
0
0
0
88,525 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
4
0
0
0
107,500 mi
Unknown or other
4
0
2
1
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 20, 2025Tires I purchased a used Pirelli Scorpion Strada 255/55R18 109V tire (DOT code 1UN L4W990 4221) for my SUV. When I returned home from the installation, the tire appeared normal. However, the next morningâwithin 24 hours of installationâI began driving for work when my car suddenly started shaking violently and pulling hard to the right while on the freeway around 3 AM. I was able to safely exit the freeway and pull over. Upon inspection, I discovered that the tire had been shredded by the roadâthe sidewall had catastrophically failed, and the inner structure had separated. The tire had good tread and showed no signs of damage before the incident. This was a sudden and dangerous failure that…
Nov 24, 2022 · fire · 1 injuryEngine My father was sitting in his parked car in his driveway and his car caught on fire. A neighbor witnessed it she said it was engulfed in flames within seconds and my father died from smoke inhalation due to the fire. Aberdeen WA police department and fire department examined the vehicle and investigated the cause and determined it started in the vehicle engine. Also the coroner did an autopsy to determine his cause of death. From what I understand there has been numerous similar fires with this model yet it hasnât been included in any recall. It is unknown to me whether there were any indicator lights on. He had only owned the vehicle for less than a week I believe. I am having the vehicle…
Feb 24, 2022Service brakes Faulty Check valve connected to brake booster leaks oil into brake booster causing contamination and loss of power braking. Recall issued for roughly 30,000 BMW X5 vehicles produced from 2007-2010 for a similar issue but none issued for this vehicle.
Mar 1, 2019Electrical system THE WIRING HARNESS INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS ARE LOOSING THE INSULATION, AND THERE ALL THE BARE WIRES ARE EXPOSED. THIS IS A HIGH FIRE HAZARD, WHAT MAY CAUSE DEATH OF THE OCCUPANTS AND OTHERS IN THE TRAFFIC. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT JUST IN MY VEHICLE, THERE ARE MANY FORUMS OVER THE INTERNET WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WHAT IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE
Feb 2, 2020 · 10 milesFuel/propulsion system CAR STARTS TO SHAKE ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN GOING AT A HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAY AND NOTICING LEAKS BUT NOT SURE FROM WHERE
Jun 12, 2018 · 70,000 milesParking brake TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS FRACTURED. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD AND ALMOST STRUCK A WALL. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RAY CANTENA BMW (543 TARRYTOWN RD, WHITE PLAINS, NY 10607, (914) 761-5555), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
May 12, 2019 · 176,303 milesAir bags TAKATA RECALL? DRIVING AT LOW SPEED A VERY LARGE EXPLOSION NOISE (SOUND LIKE SHOTGUN) FROM PASSENGER SIDE. DID NOT COM THROUGH DASH BUT SOUND LIKE IT TORE THROUGH THE HEATER FAN. COULD HEAR PIECES WHEN HEATER ON. EARS STILL RINGING.
Jan 10, 2019 · 125,112 milesEngine ON JANUARY 10 2019 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN SUDDENLY MY BMW DECIDES TO SHUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO WARNING. MY STEERING WHEEL STIFFENED UP AND I ALMOST CRASHED MY CAR. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT OR NOTHING BLINKING ON THE DASH TO WARN ME OF ANY PROBLEMS. I JUST PAYED OFF MY CAR AND THIS HAPPENS TO ME. ITS BEEN REALLY HARD NOT HAVING A CAR AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TAKE MY KIDS TO SCHOOL. I REACHED UT TO NAPLETON KIA AND BMW OF NORTHAMERICA AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO HELP ME.THEY BASICALLY SOLD ME AN UNSAFE CAR WHICH COULD OF KILLED MY FAMILY. MECHANIC BASICALLY SAYS THAT THE MOTOR SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING.AND IT WOULD BE 6000$ TO FIX. IF YOU LOOK ONLINE THERES HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
