2004 BMW X5 problems and complaints

Owners have filed 127 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 BMW X5. The most-reported areas: Air Bags (35), Electrical System (19), Seats (18).

Key takeaways

  • 127 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 5 involve a crash, 19 a fire, 10 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Air Bags3528%
Electrical System1915%
Seats1814%
Power Train1713%
Exterior Lighting119%
Engine97%
Steering97%
Seat Belts97%
Structure86%
Latches/Locks/Linkages86%
Visibility54%
Service Brakes54%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2004 BMW X5 4-DR. w/SABNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Electrical System - filed 2025-06-26

No start no crank sos light battery drain

Power Train,unknown Or Other,engine - filed 2022-04-25

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 .

Steering - filed 2020-10-27

MY STEERING IS WAY TO TIGHT. AND ITS HARD TO MOVE THEVCAR.

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More for the 2004 BMW X5

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.