TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A HOLE BURNED INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE CONTACT'S JACKET WAS ALSO BURNED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT HEATER HAD A MALFUNCTION. THE HEATER MECHANISMS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A HOLE BURNED INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE CONTACT'S JACKET WAS ALSO BURNED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT HEATER HAD A MALFUNCTION. THE HEATER MECHANISMS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 06/07/17*LJ *CN
NHTSA ODI #10954819
170,000 miles · Jan 31, 2017
SeatsFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEAT WARMER BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT FELT THE HEAT OF THE BURNER COMING THROUGH THE SEAT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEAT WARMER BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT FELT THE HEAT OF THE BURNER COMING THROUGH THE SEAT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA ODI #10948644
110,000 miles · Jan 24, 2014
Seats
DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER GETS VERY HOT, EVEN AT THE LOWEST SETTING. WILL BURN MY LEG IF LEFT ON. FOR THIS REASON, THE SEAT HEATER IN NO LONGER SAFE TO USE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10561295
89,000 miles · Feb 19, 2013
SeatsFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AT A GAS STATION TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE ATTENDANT FOUND THAT THERE WAS A HOLE UNDER THE SEAT FROM THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AT A GAS STATION TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE ATTENDANT FOUND THAT THERE WAS A HOLE UNDER THE SEAT FROM THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT, BUT NOT THE ACTUAL SEAT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,000.
NHTSA ODI #10498559
58,495 miles · Dec 17, 2010
SeatsFire
2004 X5, 58,000 MILE. DRIVERS HEATED SEAT BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER AND MY LEFT LEG/BUTTOCK AREA WAS BURNED. I SWITCHED OFF THE SEAT BUTTON, AND PUT OUT THE GLOWING LEATHER SEAT FIRE. THIS BURNED ME SLIGHTLY AND COULD HAVE CAUSE A SERIOUS FIRE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE BMW DEALER AND SAID IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL O…
Read full complaint
2004 X5, 58,000 MILE. DRIVERS HEATED SEAT BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER AND MY LEFT LEG/BUTTOCK AREA WAS BURNED. I SWITCHED OFF THE SEAT BUTTON, AND PUT OUT THE GLOWING LEATHER SEAT FIRE. THIS BURNED ME SLIGHTLY AND COULD HAVE CAUSE A SERIOUS FIRE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE BMW DEALER AND SAID IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL OR WARRANTY. APPROX. COST IS 750.00 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY MANUFACTURE. I SEE THERE IS A PATTERN OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS ITEM. HELP!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10371048
90,000 miles · Dec 15, 2010
Seats
DRIVER SIDE SEAT OVERHEATED AND CAUSED A BURN TO SEAT. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY FIXED THE SYSTEM BUT WANTED TO CHARGE ME APPROX$1000 FOR THE SEAT COVER. WHEN I RESISTED THE CHARGE, THEY CHANGED THE SEAT COVER AT NO CHARGE. NO PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS WERE FOUND. JUST CHECKED YOUR WEBSITE AN THERE SEEMS TO BE A SIMILAR PR…
Read full complaint
DRIVER SIDE SEAT OVERHEATED AND CAUSED A BURN TO SEAT. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY FIXED THE SYSTEM BUT WANTED TO CHARGE ME APPROX$1000 FOR THE SEAT COVER. WHEN I RESISTED THE CHARGE, THEY CHANGED THE SEAT COVER AT NO CHARGE. NO PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS WERE FOUND. JUST CHECKED YOUR WEBSITE AN THERE SEEMS TO BE A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN RALEIGH NC. I SOLD THE CAR IN 2008. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10370715
101,000 miles · Feb 16, 2010
Seats
2004 BMW X5. DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING A BURN IN THE SEAT AND BURNED THE PANTS OF THE DRIVER. CONTACTED THE BMW SERVICE CENTER IN RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA WHERE THE SITUATION WILL BE RECTIFIED SOON. *TR
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE IN-TANK FUEL LINE MAY HAVE BEEN ATTACHED INCORRECTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE DRIVETRAIN FASTENERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 28, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2004 BMW X5 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year