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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2004 BMW X5 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2004 BMW X5 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 64 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 2004 BMW X5, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2004 BMW X5 owner complaints

Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 BMW X5, describing incidents dated December 2, 2003 to June 21, 2022.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 11 complaints
  • Power Train 11 complaints
  • Electrical System 10 complaints
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages 7 complaints
  • Seats 7 complaints
  • Structure 7 complaints

Of the 64 complaints on file, 4 report a crash and 10 a fire; across all 64 complaints, owners report 6 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11669369 · Filed

    No start no crank sos light battery drain

  • ODI #11462118 · Filed

    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 .

  • ODI #11366639 · Filed

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

Read all 64 complaints

BMW/THROTTLE VALVE CONTROL

NHTSA #04V409000 · Power Train — Clutch Assembly — Pedal/Hand Lever(MOTORCYCLE) · NHTSA notice

Reported August 18, 2004 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Potentially affected: 358 vehicles

Owners notified September 8, 2004 · Vehicles built August 25, 2003 – April 15, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THE VEHICLE COULD ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BMW/FUEL IN-LINE SUCTION JET PUMP

NHTSA #04V402000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported August 13, 2004 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Potentially affected: 297 vehicles

Owners notified September 9, 2004 · Vehicles built April 5, 2004 – April 24, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE IN-TANK FUEL LINE MAY HAVE BEEN ATTACHED INCORRECTLY.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BMW/ENGINE CONTROL MODULE/ENGINE STALLING

NHTSA #04V344000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Control Module (TCM/PCM/TECM) · NHTSA notice

Reported July 14, 2004 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 4,102 vehicles

Owners notified July 16, 2004 · Vehicles built May 12, 2004 – July 6, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BMW/FRONT DRIVETRAIN FASTENERS

NHTSA #03V475000 · Power Train — Driveline — Differential Unit · NHTSA notice

Reported November 14, 2003 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 350 vehicles

Owners notified November 10, 2003 · Vehicles built September 16, 2003 – October 9, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE DRIVETRAIN FASTENERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 28, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other BMW X5 model years

Check your 2004 BMW X5 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW X5 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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