Most common 2004 BMW X5 problems
Share of the 64 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW X5 complaints by model year
Best X5 years: 2016, 2014, 2017. Years to avoid: 2024, 2025, 2012, 2011, 2019. Compare all years →
2004 BMW X5 recalls (5)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator.
Power train › Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
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.
Remedy: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
On certain sport utility vehicles, the in-tank fuel line May have been attached incorrectly.
Remedy: 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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 8 and 12 cylinder engines, the digital engine management control (emc) units were not produced according to specifications.
Remedy: 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.
Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and retighten the drivetrain fasteners. Owner notification began November 28, 2003. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
What 2004 BMW X5 owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
Vehicle rpm's rev wildly in park and neutral. When driving vehicle speeds up on its own and rpm's climbs out of control. When stopped at a light or in traffic, car leaps forward against the break .
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 BMW X5. While driving 35 MPH, a loud noise came from the front end of the vehicle and it shook violently. The failure occurred without warning. The contact pulled over to the nearest independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power train drive shaft unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The independent mechanic contacted the BMW dealer and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired since the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer advised the contact to call NHTSA. The failure mileage was 152,000.
Engine & cooling
Vehicle rpm's rev wildly in park and neutral. When driving vehicle speeds up on its own and rpm's climbs out of control. When stopped at a light or in traffic, car leaps forward against the break .
The vehicle started smoking from under the hood while driving in town to the post office. Upon parking the vehicle at the post office, it caught fire under the hood and the fire dept. Had to be called to force open the hood to put out the fire. The entire front of the vehicle was damaged in front of the fire wall. The usps moved employees/customers to the rear of the building for precaution of explosion and smoke inhalation of the burning plastic, rubber and related parts. It was fortunate I could quickly park rather than being on the highway.
Electrical system
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 and a possible recall on blower motor on 2001-2003 recalls were checked and are current on this vehicle checked by dealer and NHTSA website
Tl* 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 code, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who replaced the coil springs and the spark plugs. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer a third time since the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure several times. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
2004 BMW X5 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 20 / 16 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 BMW X5 a good car?
Based on 64 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 X5 rates better than average: 58% fewer complaints than a typical year of the X5 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 BMW X5?
The transmission & drivetrain — 11 complaints, 17% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the engine & cooling (11) and electrical system (10).
How many recalls does the 2004 BMW X5 have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2004 BMW X5, the most recent from January 14, 2019 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW X5?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2014 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2025, 2012, 2011 and 2019. See the full BMW X5 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 BMW X5 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 89,000 miles; 26% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.