2004 Bmw X5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (6) · Seats (5) · Power Train (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw X5 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
54 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (81)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2023-12-20 · B160623 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
engine will crank but not start. there is no communication with the integrated fuel module (tfe) whendiagnosing with ista. the following two fault codes will be stored in the dme: 032b43 - low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low cda594 - message (- 0x33e) missing, rec
Equipment 2023-11-22 · B653423 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
customers may state that the alarm system (dwa) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. depending on the vehicleã¢ââs equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. additionally, the red anti-theft alarm led in
Seats 2023-10-20 · B522319 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
second seat row blocking access to third seat row, program seat modules. visible stitching on first row sport seat. third seat row backrest bowden cable routing and length change.
Vehicle Speed Control 2023-10-19 · B660523 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
various functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (adcam system) can lead to customer complaints.
Showing the 6 most recent of 81 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-06-26 · Electrical System“no start no crank sos light battery drain …”
2022-04-25 · Unknown 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 .…”
2020-10-27 · Steering · 194,782 mi“my steering is way to tight. and its hard to move thevcar.…”
2020-05-21 · Seat Belts“front passenger seat belt doesn't work properly. *tr…”
2019-02-21 · Engine · 120,000 mi“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 …”
2018-06-20 · Unknown Or Other · 105,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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 …”
2018-02-12 · Air Bags · 180,000 mi · 💥 crash“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 manuf…”
2018-01-17 · Wheels · 179,750 mi“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 …”
2017-08-14 · Vehicle Speed Control · 50 mi“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 ..…”
2017-06-01 · Engine · 157,000 mi“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.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.