2005 BMW X5 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: June 20, 2025 · Filed: July 16, 2025

I purchased a used Pirelli Scorpion Strada 255/55R18 109V tire (DOT code 1UN L4W990 4221) for my SUV. When I returned home from the installation, the tire appeared normal. However, the next morning—within 24 hours of installation—I began driving for work when my car suddenly started shaking violently and pulling hard to the right while on the freeway around 3 AM. I was able to safely exit the freeway and pull over. Upon inspection, I discovered that the tire had been shredded by the road—the sidewall had catastrophically failed, and the inner structure had separated. The tire had good tread and showed no signs of damage before the incident. This was a sudden and dangerous failure that placed me at serious risk of losing control of the vehicle. It occurred under normal driving conditions at moderate freeway speed. There were no prior warning signs, dashboard messages, or visible damage. The tire was manufactured in October 2021 at Pirelli’s Rome, Georgia plant. The failure appears consistent with belt separation or internal delamination. The damaged tire has been preserved and is available for inspection. I believe this tire may be part of a defective batch and am reporting this for safety investigation. There are similar complaints online regarding Pirelli tires made in this timeframe.

Incident: November 24, 2022 · Filed: December 27, 2022

My father was sitting in his parked car in his driveway and his car caught on fire. A neighbor witnessed it she said it was engulfed in flames within seconds and my father died from smoke inhalation due to the fire. Aberdeen WA police department and fire department examined the vehicle and investigated the cause and determined it started in the vehicle engine. Also the coroner did an autopsy to determine his cause of death. From what I understand there has been numerous similar fires with this model yet it hasn’t been included in any recall. It is unknown to me whether there were any indicator lights on. He had only owned the vehicle for less than a week I believe. I am having the vehicle returned to me now that the police and fire department are finished examining it. As far as I know they are the only ones to have contact with it since the fire.

Incident: February 24, 2022 · Filed: February 25, 2022

Faulty Check valve connected to brake booster leaks oil into brake booster causing contamination and loss of power braking. Recall issued for roughly 30,000 BMW X5 vehicles produced from 2007-2010 for a similar issue but none issued for this vehicle.

Incident: March 1, 2019 · Filed: February 26, 2020

THE WIRING HARNESS INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS ARE LOOSING THE INSULATION, AND THERE ALL THE BARE WIRES ARE EXPOSED. THIS IS A HIGH FIRE HAZARD, WHAT MAY CAUSE DEATH OF THE OCCUPANTS AND OTHERS IN THE TRAFFIC. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT JUST IN MY VEHICLE, THERE ARE MANY FORUMS OVER THE INTERNET WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WHAT IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE

Incident: February 2, 2020 · Filed: February 24, 2020

CAR STARTS TO SHAKE ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN GOING AT A HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAY AND NOTICING LEAKS BUT NOT SURE FROM WHERE

Incident: June 12, 2018 · Filed: June 3, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS FRACTURED. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD AND ALMOST STRUCK A WALL. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RAY CANTENA BMW (543 TARRYTOWN RD, WHITE PLAINS, NY 10607, (914) 761-5555), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Incident: May 12, 2019 · Filed: May 13, 2019

TAKATA RECALL? DRIVING AT LOW SPEED A VERY LARGE EXPLOSION NOISE (SOUND LIKE SHOTGUN) FROM PASSENGER SIDE. DID NOT COM THROUGH DASH BUT SOUND LIKE IT TORE THROUGH THE HEATER FAN. COULD HEAR PIECES WHEN HEATER ON. EARS STILL RINGING.

Incident: January 10, 2019 · Filed: March 3, 2019

ON JANUARY 10 2019 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN SUDDENLY MY BMW DECIDES TO SHUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO WARNING. MY STEERING WHEEL STIFFENED UP AND I ALMOST CRASHED MY CAR. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT OR NOTHING BLINKING ON THE DASH TO WARN ME OF ANY PROBLEMS. I JUST PAYED OFF MY CAR AND THIS HAPPENS TO ME. ITS BEEN REALLY HARD NOT HAVING A CAR AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TAKE MY KIDS TO SCHOOL. I REACHED UT TO NAPLETON KIA AND BMW OF NORTHAMERICA AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO HELP ME.THEY BASICALLY SOLD ME AN UNSAFE CAR WHICH COULD OF KILLED MY FAMILY. MECHANIC BASICALLY SAYS THAT THE MOTOR SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING.AND IT WOULD BE 6000$ TO FIX. IF YOU LOOK ONLINE THERES HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND BMW DOES NOT WANT TO HELP.A TRUE LEMON.

Incident: October 19, 2018 · Filed: October 20, 2018

TAKATA RECALL I JUST SWITCH MY CAR ON THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I NOTICE IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM ALSO SAW PEOPLE SAYING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR IT BUT WHEN CHECKING MY VIN IT SAID 0 RECALL

Incident: January 3, 2015 · Filed: August 24, 2018

BMW X5 2005 A HOLE WAS BURNED INTO THE DRIVERS SEAT, BURNING MY LEG AND A HOLE IN MY SWEATER, WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2005 AND HAVE HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY.