2005 BMW X-5 BRAKES FAIL TO STOP VEHICLE DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. IT WILL REQUIRE BUYING A NEW BRAKE BOOSTER AND PAYING FOR ITS INSTALLATION, COST OF OVER $1000. THE SAME PROBLEM HAS CAUSED THE RECALL OF BMW 7 SERIES FROM SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. *TR
2005 BMW X5
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2005 BMW X5 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 100.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all X5 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
64 reports with mileage · 18 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
82 reportsI AM REPORTING A DESIGN FLAW WITH BMW AND A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE HAD 2 OIL SEPARATORS GO BAD OVER THE LAST 6 YEARS. THIS ISSUE HAS TO BE ESCALATED FROM A "SERVICE BULLETIN" TO A FULL BLOWN RECALL. I THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT GREATLY DEPRECIATES THE RESALE VALUE OF OUR VEHICLES NOT TO MENTION THE…
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I AM REPORTING A DESIGN FLAW WITH BMW AND A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE HAD 2 OIL SEPARATORS GO BAD OVER THE LAST 6 YEARS. THIS ISSUE HAS TO BE ESCALATED FROM A "SERVICE BULLETIN" TO A FULL BLOWN RECALL. I THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT GREATLY DEPRECIATES THE RESALE VALUE OF OUR VEHICLES NOT TO MENTION THE OUT OF POCKET COSTS DUE TO REPAIRS, LOST WAGES, AND TOWING TO MENTION A FEW. NONE OF US IN GOOD CONSCIENCE COULD SELL OUR VEHICLES IN A MIDWEST OR NORTHERN CLIMATE AND PASS THIS PROBLEM ON TO THE NEXT OWNER - WE NEED TO UNITE AND PASS THE PROBLEM BACK TO THE SOURCE: BMW. *TR
STARTED MY BMW X5 YEAR 2005 (NOW WITH 59,500 MILES)IN COLD WEATHER (MILWAUKEE, WI). UPON ACCELERATION ON EXPRESSWAY RAMP A LARGE CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE BLEW OUT TAILPIPES. THIS OCCURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS RECENTLY. PRIOR TO THIS, IN FEBRUARY 2010 (WITH 50,000 MILES), OIL SEPARATOR WAS REPLACED FOR $ 2000 COST. THIS TIME DEA…
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STARTED MY BMW X5 YEAR 2005 (NOW WITH 59,500 MILES)IN COLD WEATHER (MILWAUKEE, WI). UPON ACCELERATION ON EXPRESSWAY RAMP A LARGE CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE BLEW OUT TAILPIPES. THIS OCCURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS RECENTLY. PRIOR TO THIS, IN FEBRUARY 2010 (WITH 50,000 MILES), OIL SEPARATOR WAS REPLACED FOR $ 2000 COST. THIS TIME DEALER REPLACED THE SAME PARTS AND SYSTEM AT NO CHARGE. SAME PART FAILED TWICE IN ONE YEAR, IN A SPAN OF 10,000 MILES. *TR
BMW X-5 2005 HEATED SEATS TURN INSTANTLY BURNING HOT TO THE TOUCH. RESULTING CHARRED BLACK SEAT UNDERNEATH LEATHER EXTERIOR. THIS CAN CAUSE A FIRE OR AND INDIVIDUAL BE BURNED. BMW CHARGED $200.00 TO VERIFY THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT UNWILLING TO RECALL. THE SEAT UNDERNEATH THE LEATHER IS BURNED BLACK AND LUCKY IS DID NOT START FI…
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BMW X-5 2005 HEATED SEATS TURN INSTANTLY BURNING HOT TO THE TOUCH. RESULTING CHARRED BLACK SEAT UNDERNEATH LEATHER EXTERIOR. THIS CAN CAUSE A FIRE OR AND INDIVIDUAL BE BURNED. BMW CHARGED $200.00 TO VERIFY THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT UNWILLING TO RECALL. THE SEAT UNDERNEATH THE LEATHER IS BURNED BLACK AND LUCKY IS DID NOT START FIRE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUTTER AND THEN IT SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CRANKCASE VENT/OIL SEPARATOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED HER A DISCOU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUTTER AND THEN IT SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CRANKCASE VENT/OIL SEPARATOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED HER A DISCOUNT ON THE PARTS AND FOR THE LABOR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 03/28/12*LJ UPDATED 05/10/12
I HAVE A 2005 BMW X5 4.4 AUTO.TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE , IT TAKES AT LEAST 10 SECONDS TO GO INTO FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR AND WILL SHIFT LATE AND BANG HARD. OCCURS ALL THE TIME RESULTING IN ALMOST GETTING HIT BY OTHER CARS BECAUSE IT TAKES SO LONG TO GO IN GEAR. MANY OTHER 2005 BMW X5 OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THERE SHOULD…
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I HAVE A 2005 BMW X5 4.4 AUTO.TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE , IT TAKES AT LEAST 10 SECONDS TO GO INTO FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR AND WILL SHIFT LATE AND BANG HARD. OCCURS ALL THE TIME RESULTING IN ALMOST GETTING HIT BY OTHER CARS BECAUSE IT TAKES SO LONG TO GO IN GEAR. MANY OTHER 2005 BMW X5 OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED. DEALER TELLS ME IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX THAT I DO NOT HAVE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 BMW X5 4.4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE POWER ASSIST FOR THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE VACUUM PUMP AND BRAKE BOOSTER DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THEY WERE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 BMW X5 4.4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE POWER ASSIST FOR THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE VACUUM PUMP AND BRAKE BOOSTER DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THEY WERE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY SINCE HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE VOLUNTARY MANUFACTURERS RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,976 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
OIL SEPARATOR-COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE- BMW 2005 X5
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE OIL SEPARATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000. UPDATED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE OIL SEPARATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000. UPDATED 02/10/11 *BF UPDATED 04/21/11
FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT TWO WEEKS WHILE DRIVING AND USING THE DRIVERS SEAT HEATER MY WIFE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE HEAT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT. ON THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT WHILE DRIVING SHE EXPERIENCED A VERY PAINFUL BURNING SENSATION ON HER LEFT LEG AND COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING IN THE VEHICLE. SHE SHUTOFF THE SEAT HEATER …
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FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT TWO WEEKS WHILE DRIVING AND USING THE DRIVERS SEAT HEATER MY WIFE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE HEAT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT. ON THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT WHILE DRIVING SHE EXPERIENCED A VERY PAINFUL BURNING SENSATION ON HER LEFT LEG AND COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING IN THE VEHICLE. SHE SHUTOFF THE SEAT HEATER AND APPLIED A SCARF UNDER HER LEG TO STOP THE BURNING SENSATION. UPON NOTIFYING THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND THAT HE WAS CURRENTLY DEALING WITH ANOTHER INCIDENT SO HE COULD GIVE HER A QUOTE RIGHT AWAY. WHILE AT WORK THE NEXT DAY SHE WAS TALKING WITH A CUSTOMER AND HE SAID HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM BUT DIDN'T GET IT REPAIRED BECAUSE IT COST TO MUCH TO REPLACE THE SEAT. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE THE SERVICE EMPLOYEE ADVISED THAT HE HAD ALSO SEEN THIS BEFORE AND THAT IT WAS FROM WEAR AND TEAR. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT OUR INSURANCE COVERED THIS EXCEPT FOR $50 AS THE VEHICLE IS A VERY LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE. IT HAS ONLY BEEN DRIVEN BY MY WIFE WHO IS A SMALL FEMALE ABOUT 130 LBS. THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH NO WEAR AND TEAR AND IS SERVICED REGULARLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN DIGITAL PHOTOS WHICH I CAN PROVIDE THAT WILL SHOW THERE IS NO WEAR OR TEAR ON THE SEAT IN THE BURNED/MELTED AREA. WE FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT SEEMS TO BE A REOCCURRING PROBLEM AND IS BEING BRUSHED OFF AS "WEAR AND TEAR". THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN MY WIFE BEING INJURED BY BURNING OR BEING DISTRACTED WHILE DRIVING AND ENDING UP IN AN ACCIDENT.
Official recalls
205V504000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Nov 1, 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE PARKING LOCK SYSTEM NOT TO ENGAGE, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED IN THE PARK ("P") POSITION. IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED, THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ROLLAWAY CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR AND REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GUIDE PLATE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-332-4269.
05V367000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Aug 26, 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ATTACHMENT OF THE BRAKE LINE SUPPORT BRACKET WITHIN THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WELL WAS NOT WELDED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. IT COULD LOOSEN AND OVER TIME THE BRAKE HOSE COULD RUB AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE HOSE COULD BECOME DAMAGED TO THE POINT WHERE A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ATTACH THE BRAKE LINE SUPPORT BRACKET TO THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WELL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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