Model year record

2004 BMW X5

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 94 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V409000

Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)

Component
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
Manufacturer
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
Vehicles affected
358
Reported to NHTSA
2004-08-18
Owners notified
2004-09-08

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE VEHICLE COULD ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V402000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
Manufacturer
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
Vehicles affected
297
Reported to NHTSA
2004-08-13
Owners notified
2004-09-09

Defect description

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

Safety risk

ENGINE STALLING COULD OCCUR, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE'S FUEL GAUGE INDICATES THAT FUEL IS PRESENT IN THE TANK. DEPENDING UPON TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITIONS, THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V344000

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Manufacturer
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected
4,102
Reported to NHTSA
2004-07-14
Owners notified
2004-07-16

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.

Safety risk

AS A RESULT, ENGINE STALLING WILL OCCUR AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF OPERATION. THE VEHICLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART. ALSO, A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND, AFTER REPEATED ACTUATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, A LOSS OF BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL OCCUR. THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V475000

Power train: driveline: differential unit

Component
Power train: driveline: differential unit
Manufacturer
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected
350
Reported to NHTSA
2003-11-14
Owners notified
2003-11-10

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

WITH PROLONGED DRIVING, THESE BOLTS COULD BECOME LOOSE, CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HOUSINGS. THE RIGHT OUTPUT SHAFT COULD BECOME DISCONNECTED, AFFECTING THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE DRIVETRAIN FASTENERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 28, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system11100,000 mi
Engine9100,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages798,365 mi
Power train774,160 mi
Seats590,000 mi
Air bags473,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission414,000 mi
Steering46,000 mi
Exterior lighting343,130 mi
Suspension343,702 mi
Unknown or other3105,000 mi
Power train: driveline285,000 mi
Seat belts256,200 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler294,000 mi
Structure279,000 mi
Structure: body217,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate231,000 mi
Vehicle speed control250 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls235,560 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly298,230 mi
Wheels2125,000 mi
Air bags: frontal156,200 mi
Air bags: side/window138,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1102,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1
Equipment: electrical1
Exterior lighting: headlights156,200 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights165,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline11,500,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Service brakes, electric135,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic156,200 mi
Structure: body: door1117,000 mi
Visibility/wiper1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system156,200 mi

The 2003 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2005 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.