2004 BMW X5 problems
NHTSA has received 93 complaints about the 2004 BMW X5, and 12% of them involve engine. Next are electrical system (11%) and drivetrain & axles (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 93 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 12% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 4 and 13
- Injuries and deaths
- 8 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 87,000 miles 74 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 10 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 6 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 12 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 7 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 13 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 12 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 4 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 74 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 86,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 4 complaints mention a crash; 13 complaints mention a fire; 8 injuries reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 88% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2004 ranks 22nd most-complained-about out of 27 model years of the BMW X5 with enough data (36 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
The vehicle started smoking from under the hood while driving in town to the post office. Upon parking the vehicle at the post office, it caught fire under the hood and the fire dept. Had to be called to force open the hood to put out the fire. The entire front of the vehicle was damaged in front of the fire wall. The usps moved employees/customers to the rear of the building for precaution of explosion and smoke inhalation of the burning plastic, rubber and related parts.
Our 2004, BMW x-5 door jammed on the front passenger side. I have contacted BMW, but they denied any problems concerning doors jamming. However, I conducted an internet search and found numerous postings discussing the door jamming. I advised BMW that I feel like my families safety is at risk due to the door failure. I asked them to please note that this was a safety risk and could put my family at risk.
Recently purchased this vehicle used, the external driver door latch not working, have to climb over from passenger side of vehicle, this is ridiculous, this is one of several issues I am having with this vehicle. I have done some research and see this is common problem and it should be addressed by BMW. I have had 2 other used vehicles which both have lasted me 10 years from the dates I purchased them (and they were already 8 and 10 years old.