2005 BMW X5 Problems & Complaints

Most common 2005 BMW X5 problems

• Engine & cooling~83,000 miles
  1721%
• Air bags~115,000 miles
  1620%
• Electrical system~115,000 miles
  1518%
• Brakes~96,000 miles
  1518%
• Transmission & drivetrain~60,000 miles
  911%
• Fuel & propulsion system~84,000 miles
  810%
• Lights~89,000 miles
  56%
• Body & structure~25,000 miles
  56%
• Wheels & tires~98,000 miles
  45%
• Seats~95,000 miles
  45%
• Other / not specified~160,000 miles
  45%
• A/C & heater~100,000 miles
  34%
• Suspension~0 miles
  22%
• Seat belts~135,000 miles
  11%
• Speed control & acceleration~118,000 miles
  11%

Share of the 82 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 →

2005 BMW X5 recalls (2)

What 2005 BMW X5 owners say

Engine & cooling

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 hasn't 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 returned to me now that the police and fire department are finished examining it. As far as I know they are the only ones to have contact with it since the fire.

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 problem and BMW does not want to help.a true lemon.

Air bags

Tl* 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 curtain air bags partially deployed. The driver suffered injuries to the head, the back, and the feet that required medical attention. The contact did not disclose if a police report was filed or not. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 BMW X5. While driving 10 MPH, all the front and rear driver's side air bags deployed without warning. The contact sustained minor injuries to the arm, which did not require medical attention. The vehicle was taken to pacific BMW (800 s brand blvd, glendale, ca 91204) where the dealer stated that the manufacturer would diagnose and investigate the failure. The manufacturer sent an investigator who diagnosed that there was evidence of a collision, which was the cause of the air bag deployment. As a result, the manufacturer declined to pay for the repairs in full, but stated that they would pay for the repair parts, but not the labor. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 74,800.

Electrical system

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 hasn't 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 returned to me now that the police and fire department are finished examining it. As far as I know they are the only ones to have contact with it since the fire.

I was at a stop sign then accelerated onto a round-a-bout when the vehicle stopped it would not accelerate even though my foot was on the gas pedal and the car was still on. I tried signaling my emergency lights but the whole inside of the dashboard was going on & off not letting me signal anything. I put the vehicle in park & turned off the car. When I tried turning it back on it would just click and all lights would turn on. I waited for 20 min then tried to start it again & it did start but then sounded like it was dying out and eventually would shut off, there was more than a half tank of gas in the vehicle.

2005 BMW X5 engines & fuel economy

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.