BMW X5 · model year

2004 BMW X5

93 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004BMWX5 carries 93 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 13 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 X5 is electrical system with 10 filings, followed by engine (9) and latches/locks/linkages (7). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2004 X5. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

93
Complaints
4
Crashes
13
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

93 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
ENGINE9
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES7
POWER TRAIN7
SEATS5
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
STEERING4
AIR BAGS4
SUSPENSION3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
STRUCTURE2
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY2
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS2

Recalls (4)

04V40900018/08/2004

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.

03V47500014/11/2003

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.

04V34400014/07/2004

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.

04V40200013/08/2004

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE IN-TANK FUEL LINE MAY HAVE BEEN ATTACHED INCORRECTLY.

Recent Complaints

20250626ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

No start no crank sos light battery drain

20220425ENGINE

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 .

20220425POWER TRAIN

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 .

20220425UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 .

20201027STEERING

MY STEERING IS WAY TO TIGHT. AND ITS HARD TO MOVE THEVCAR.

Mileage: 194,782

20200521SEAT BELTS

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. *TR

20190221ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE JERKED SEVERELY. SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE POWERED DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER SAFELY ONTO THE SHOULDER. A MESSAGE INDICATING "FAIL SAFE" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO RAY CATENA BMW (543 TARRYTOWN RD, WHITE PLAINS, NY 10607, (914) 761-5555) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW ENGINE AND VALVE PUMP NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

20180620FireELECTRICAL 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

Mileage: 105,000

20180620FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

Mileage: 105,000

20180212CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, BACK, AND NECK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 180,000

20180117WHEELS

I BOUGHT 4 RUN-FLAT BRIDGESTONE TIRES FROM A BMW DEALERSHIP: DUELER H/L 400 [36110427162] ON JUNE 21, 2017 WITH MY SUV MILEAGE OF 169,318. YESTERDAY, 1/15/2018, I FOUND OUT MY TWO REAR TIRES WERE ALMOST BALD AFTER DRIVEN 10,384 MILES DUE TO SUMMER ROAD TRIP. SEVERAL TIMES THESE PAST FEW DAYS I FELT THE SUV WAS SLIPPING AND SLIDING EVEN THOUGHT NO ICE AROUND. THE TWO REAR TIRES HAVE MARKINGS OF DOT H491 DJE0716 AND DOT H491 DJE0216]. THE FRONT TWO TIRES [DOT H491 DJE4015 AND DOT H491 DJE3160] LOOK NEW COMPARED TO REAR - PLEASE SEE IMAGES.

Mileage: 179,750

20170814POWER TRAIN

HAVE ACCIDENT.BECAUSE MY BMW X5 2004 WHEN START THE ENGINE..THE CAR JUMP. AND PROBLEMS WITH TRASMISSION NOT WORK GOOD WHEN L STAR DRIVING THE CAR JUMP THE SPEEDS NOT WORK GOOD THE GEARS 2 MONTHS AGO L HIT .THE FRONT CAR .BECAUSE MY CAR JUMP .IN HAVE TO PAY .THE OWNER THE OTHER CARS .HAVE TO MANY ACCIDENTS WITH BMW X5 2004..PLEASE YOU CAN HELP ME ..THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Mileage: 50

20170814VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

HAVE ACCIDENT.BECAUSE MY BMW X5 2004 WHEN START THE ENGINE..THE CAR JUMP. AND PROBLEMS WITH TRASMISSION NOT WORK GOOD WHEN L STAR DRIVING THE CAR JUMP THE SPEEDS NOT WORK GOOD THE GEARS 2 MONTHS AGO L HIT .THE FRONT CAR .BECAUSE MY CAR JUMP .IN HAVE TO PAY .THE OWNER THE OTHER CARS .HAVE TO MANY ACCIDENTS WITH BMW X5 2004..PLEASE YOU CAN HELP ME ..THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Mileage: 50

20170814STEERING

HAVE ACCIDENT.BECAUSE MY BMW X5 2004 WHEN START THE ENGINE..THE CAR JUMP. AND PROBLEMS WITH TRASMISSION NOT WORK GOOD WHEN L STAR DRIVING THE CAR JUMP THE SPEEDS NOT WORK GOOD THE GEARS 2 MONTHS AGO L HIT .THE FRONT CAR .BECAUSE MY CAR JUMP .IN HAVE TO PAY .THE OWNER THE OTHER CARS .HAVE TO MANY ACCIDENTS WITH BMW X5 2004..PLEASE YOU CAN HELP ME ..THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Mileage: 50

20170601ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE OIL SERVICE AND BATTERY INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

Mileage: 157,000

20170601ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE OIL SERVICE AND BATTERY INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

Mileage: 157,000

20170515POWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 152,000

20170404CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES IN THE NECK AND BACK WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

20170302ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WATER DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE HAS TAKEN WATER IN THE REAR TRUNK AREA. WHEN LOOKED AT, THERE IS A PUDDLE OF STANDING WATER COVERING THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE RADIO AMPLIFIER AND OTHER ELECTRONICS. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND NOT MOVING. WATER SEEMS TO OCCUR ONLY WHEN RAINING. RADIO AND SPEAKERS DO NOT WORK AND GIVE OFF A RUFFLING SOUND EVEN WHEN KEY IS OUT OF THE IGNITION. WE HAVE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY FROM THE CAR TO PREVENT ANY FURTHER DAMAGES.

Mileage: 119,000

20170302UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WATER DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE HAS TAKEN WATER IN THE REAR TRUNK AREA. WHEN LOOKED AT, THERE IS A PUDDLE OF STANDING WATER COVERING THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE RADIO AMPLIFIER AND OTHER ELECTRONICS. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND NOT MOVING. WATER SEEMS TO OCCUR ONLY WHEN RAINING. RADIO AND SPEAKERS DO NOT WORK AND GIVE OFF A RUFFLING SOUND EVEN WHEN KEY IS OUT OF THE IGNITION. WE HAVE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY FROM THE CAR TO PREVENT ANY FURTHER DAMAGES.

Mileage: 119,000

Compare 2004BMWX5 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 BMW X5 have?
The 2004 BMW X5 has 93 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 13 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 BMW X5?
Yes, the 2004 BMW X5 has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE). Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 BMW X5?
The most-complained component for the 2004 BMW X5 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 10 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES.
Is the 2004 BMW X5 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.