NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 BMW 5 Series Recalls & Complaints

The 2005 BMW 5 Series has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 21 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 BMW 5 Series. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2005 BMW 5 Series owner complaints

Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 BMW 5 Series, describing incidents dated December 1, 2005 to January 1, 2017.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 10 complaints
Electrical System 4 complaints
Service Brakes 3 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages 1 complaint
Seat Belts 1 complaint

Of the 21 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 1 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10981311 · Filed April 28, 2017
THERE ARE 3 RECALLS REPORTED FOR MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF A CAR I JUST PURCHASED THAT AT GIVING ME PROBLEMS AND I'M RECEIVING WARNING MESSAGES ON MY NAVIGATION BUT MY VIN IS NOT REGISTERING WITH DEALERSHIP FOR BEING ELIGIBLE FOR RESOLUTION PLEASE REPLY BACK WITH STEPS TO REPAIR
ODI #10819539 · Filed January 11, 2016
BMW I-DRIVE CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING, AND BLINKS OR REBOOTS. WHILE DRIVING HOME IT CUT OUT, AND WOULD NOT STOP BLINKING. THIS DISTRACTION AND MALFUNCTION IS DANGEROUS.
ODI #10701763 · Filed March 25, 2015
ON THE MORNING OF 3/18/2015 AT 8 AM. I STARTED THE CAR AND RECEIVED A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING ON THE DISPLAY. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. *TR

Read all 21 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2005 BMW 5 Series in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA08-001: BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
Closed December 31, 2008
- Recall 08V-384
Preliminary Evaluation PE07-045: BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
Closed January 4, 2008

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Engine Cooling Fan Assemblies/Service Parts

NHTSA #12E029000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Fan · NHTSA notice

Reported August 10, 2012 · Valeo

Potentially affected: 585 vehicles

Repair completion: 33.1% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified August 22, 2012

Defect description

This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.

Safety consequence

This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.

Manufacturer remedy

Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

BATTERY CABLE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR

NHTSA #12V126000 · Electrical System — 12V/24V/48V Battery — Cables · NHTSA notice

Reported March 26, 2012 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Potentially affected: 367,682 vehicles

Owners notified April 30, 2012 · Vehicles built June 1, 2003 – December 31, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.

Safety consequence

OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

BRAKE VACUUM PUMP

NHTSA #10V446000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Power Assist — Vacuum · NHTSA notice

Reported October 1, 2010 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Potentially affected: 198,352 vehicles

Owners notified November 24, 2010

Defect description

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Safety consequence

POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT

NHTSA #08V384000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported August 5, 2008 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Potentially affected: 200,000 vehicles

Owners notified November 6, 2008 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED.

Safety consequence

IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REWORK THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT SO THAT EXTERNAL FORCE APPLICATION TO THE SEAT DOES NOT CAUSE A CRACK TO THE MAT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2008. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

BMW IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT TO THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES:MY 2006 6-SERIES, 3-SERIES (STANDARD SEAT), MY 2004-2005 Z4, MY 2004-2006 7-SERIES, MY 2006 X5, AND MY 2004-2006 5-SERIES (COMFORT SEAT).UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT IN A VEHICLE THAT EXPERIENCES THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

PARK PAWL GUIDE PLATE

NHTSA #05V504000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported November 1, 2005 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Potentially affected: 240 vehicles

Owners notified November 30, 2005 · Vehicles built August 1, 2005 – September 30, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2005 BMW 5 Series 4-DR w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

2 investigations

21 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 BMW 5 Series.

Power Train; Electrical System; Service Brakes

ODI #10981311

Crash

Incident: January 1, 2017 · Filed: April 28, 2017

THERE ARE 3 RECALLS REPORTED FOR MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF A CAR I JUST PURCHASED THAT AT GIVING ME PROBLEMS AND I'M RECEIVING WARNING MESSAGES ON MY NAVIGATION BUT MY VIN IS NOT REGISTERING WITH DEALERSHIP FOR BEING ELIGIBLE FOR RESOLUTION PLEASE REPLY BACK WITH STEPS TO REPAIR

Electrical System

ODI #10819539

Incident: January 10, 2016 · Filed: January 11, 2016

BMW I-DRIVE CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING, AND BLINKS OR REBOOTS. WHILE DRIVING HOME IT CUT OUT, AND WOULD NOT STOP BLINKING. THIS DISTRACTION AND MALFUNCTION IS DANGEROUS.

Air Bags; Seat Belts

ODI #10701763

Incident: March 18, 2015 · Filed: March 25, 2015

ON THE MORNING OF 3/18/2015 AT 8 AM. I STARTED THE CAR AND RECEIVED A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING ON THE DISPLAY. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10695334

Incident: March 16, 2015 · Filed: March 19, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 5-SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

Power Train

ODI #10628590

Incident: August 1, 2012 · Filed: August 26, 2014

TRANSMISSION JERKS AS IF YOU ARE MISSING A SPARK OR IT IS TRYING TO FIND A HIGHER OR LOWER GEAR WHILE CRUISING IN TRAFFIC BETWEEN 32-40 MPH. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10593897

Incident: March 14, 2014 · Filed: May 24, 2014

HELLO, I'VE GOT AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO ON MY BMW E60 530I 2005. THE BOARD COMPUTER IT SAYS: "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM" MALFUNCTION. I WENT TO THE DEALER IN VEGAS AND HE TOOK THE LIGHT OFF, AFTER ONE WEEK IT CAME OUT AGAIN. I'M WONDERING ABOUT MYSELF SAFETY AND MY PASSENGERS AS WELL. I'M ASKING YOU TO HELP ME TO FIX THAT PROBLEM AS SOONER AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU *TR

Air Bags; Seats

ODI #10587630

Incident: May 2, 2014 · Filed: May 10, 2014

2005 BMW 525I. PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. CONCLUSION FROM MECHANIC WAS THAT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT MAT WAS BROKEN PER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA08001. TOOK VEHICLE TO IRVINE BMW FOR REPAIR UNDER EXTENDED SEAT MAT WARRANTY. IRVINE BMW SAID THAT PASSENGER SEAT MAT DID NOT CAUSE MALFUNCTION. REPAIRS WOULD COST $1,075. REPAIRS WERE DECLINED BECAUSE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WOULD CHARGE $400. IRVINE BMW CHARGED A $170 DIAGNOSIS FEE. *TR

Electrical System; Air Bags

ODI #10525709

Incident: July 1, 2013 · Filed: July 19, 2013

SAME ISSUE AS EVERY OTHER 2005 530I OWNER HAS HAD. MY BATTERY WAS LOW AND NEEDED REPLACED AND AFTER A NEW BATTERY WAS PURCHASED AND INSTALLED THE FAULT LIGHT CAME ON THE I-DRIVE SYSTEM FOR THE AIRBAG. BMW DEALER REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AS MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WHEN THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON A FAULTY SYSTEM WHY THIS SHOULD NOT BE REPAIRED, OBVIOUSLY THEY KNOW THAT THE ISSUE IS THERE BUT DO NOT WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY TO FIX THEIR ISSUE. SO MUCH FOR THE GERMAN ENGINEERED ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE. WITH ALL OF THE TECHNOLOGY COMES ALL OF THE ISSUES IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE A MANUFACTURER STAND BEHIND THEIR CAR FOR A CHANGE.......IF I FAILED TO MAKE A PAYMENT THEY WOULD HAVE SURELY REPOSSESSED IT......FUNNY HOW WE CANNOT GET SOMETHING FROM THEM WHEN THEY FAIL. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10474410

Incident: December 5, 2011 · Filed: September 9, 2012

ON 12/5/2011 - WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, I NOTICED THE MESSAGE ON MY DASHBOARD INDICATING A FAULT ON PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. THERE WAS NOT ANY INCIDENT THAT I CAN RECALL THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE ERROR MESSAGE. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT THE ERROR MESSAGE WAS A COMMON FAULT ON THESE TYPE OF CARS DUE TO A FAULTY MAT SENSOR LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR SOME BMW CARS OF THE SAME MODEL (DEPENDENT OF VIN). MY HUSBAND IMMEDIATELY CALLED BMW OF FREMONT (NORTHERN CA) TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE RECALL AND I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT HE WAS NOT AWARE OF SUCH RECALL. I USE THIS CAR DAILY TO DROP OFF OUR KIDS TO SCHOOL. I HONESTLY THINK THE ISSUE REALLY POSES A SERIOUS THREAT ON MY KIDS SAFETY SINCE THERE IS A HIGH POSSIBILITY THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. LASTLY, I ALSO THINK THAT BMW NA SHOULD FIX THIS ISSUE FREE OF CHARGE SINCE IT IS BECOMING TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM TO BMW CARS (ESPECIALLY THE MODEL SERIES THAT I HAVE). IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED IF YOU CAN ASSIST ME RESOLVE THE ISSUE WITH BMW NA. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10461414

Incident: June 8, 2012 · Filed: June 13, 2012

WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY OVER THE WEEKEND, I NOTICED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASH. THE IDRIVE STATED THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION IN THE PASS AIR BAG. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALER THE NEXT MORNING AFTER FINDING THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING/ COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 5 SERIES. BUT WHAT I DON'T GET IS WHY IS MY VEHICLES VIN NOT INCLUDED?? IT'S OBVIOUS THIS IS A DEFECT WITH THE PRODUCTION OF THESE VEHICLES SO WHY SHOULD MYSELF OR ANY OTHER OWNER BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR? WHY ARE THERE ONLY CERTAIN VEHICLES INCLUDED? THEN I FIND OUT THAT IF I'M IN A CRASH, MY PASSENGER WILL NOT BE PROTECTED!! THIS IS NOT FAIR TO OWNERS AND BMW SHOULD BE HELD FULLY RESPONSIBLE. ANOTHER THING I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS THAT I HAVE A RECALL ON THE BATTERY CABLES AND THAT'S COVERED! I READ ONLINE THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES DEPENDING ON THE PRODUCTION DATE (THRU 11/2005) ARE COVERED UNDER THE AIRBAG RECALL. WELL MY BMW WAS MANUFACTURED IN 11/2004! AGAIN, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY MY VIN ISN'T COVERED. NOT FAIR!! PLEASE HELP..... *TR

Other BMW 5 Series model years

Check your 2005 BMW 5 Series VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 5 Series at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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