Representative 2005 model. Photo: Vitae at de.wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 de

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2004 BMW X5 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2004 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 5
Park-it warnings: 1
Complaints: 127
Latest campaign: Jan 14, 2019

Recall summary by component5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Park‑it	Latest	Campaign IDs
Power train	3	–	Aug 18, 2004	04V409000 04V344000 03V475000
Air bags	1	1	Jan 14, 2019	19V015000
Fuel system, gasoline	1	–	Aug 13, 2004	04V402000

Safety recalls5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

1Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jan 14, 2019Latest campaign


Jan 14, 201919V015000	Air bags: frontal driver side An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 19V015000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. Risk An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Remedy Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under X5 Sav Campaign NHTSA 19V015000 · Jan 14, 2019
Aug 18, 200404V409000	Power train: clutch assembly pedal/hand lever(motorcycle) THE VEHICLE COULD ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 04V409000 What's wrong 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. Risk THE VEHICLE COULD ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. 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. Filed under X5 Campaign NHTSA 04V409000 · Aug 18, 2004
Aug 13, 200404V402000	Fuel system, gasoline: delivery fuel pump ENGINE STALLING COULD OCCUR, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE'S FUEL GAUGE INDICATES THAT FUEL IS PRESENT IN THE TANK. DetailsHide details for campaign 04V402000 What's wrong ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE IN-TANK FUEL LINE MAY HAVE BEEN ATTACHED INCORRECTLY. Risk 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. 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. Filed under X5 Campaign NHTSA 04V402000 · Aug 13, 2004
Jul 14, 200404V344000	Power train: automatic transmission control module (tcm/PCM/tecm) AS A RESULT, ENGINE STALLING WILL OCCUR AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF OPERATION. DetailsHide details for campaign 04V344000 What's wrong ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. Risk 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. 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. Filed under X5 Campaign NHTSA 04V344000 · Jul 14, 2004
Nov 14, 200303V475000	Power train: driveline differential unit WITH PROLONGED DRIVING, THESE BOLTS COULD BECOME LOOSE, CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HOUSINGS. DetailsHide details for campaign 03V475000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Remedy DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE DRIVETRAIN FASTENERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 28, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117. Filed under X5 Campaign NHTSA 03V475000 · Nov 14, 2003

Merged from NHTSA model names: X5 Sav, X5. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component127

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

127Complaints filed

5Involving a crash

19Involving a fire

10Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Air bags	35	28	4	1	5
Electrical system	19	15	0	5	1
Seats	18	14	0	10	2
Power train	17	13	0	1	0
Exterior lighting	11	9	0	1	0
Engine	9	7	0	2	1
Steering	9	7	0	0	0
Seat belts	9	7	0	1	1
Structure	8	6	0	1	1
Latches/locks/linkages	8	6	1	0	2
Visibility	5	4	0	0	0
Service brakes	5	4	0	0	0
Hydraulic	4	3	0	0	0
Engine and engine cooling	4	3	0	0	0
Unknown or other	3	2	0	1	0

10 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Electrical system
“No start no crank sos light battery drain”
Filed 06/26/2025 · ODI 11669369
Power train
“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 .”
Filed 04/25/2022 · ODI 11462118
Steering
“My steering is way to tight. And its hard to move thevcar.”
Filed 10/27/2020 · ODI 11366639

Other BMW X5 model years

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2004 BMW X5 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2004 BMW X5 have?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 2004 BMW X5. The most recent, 19V015000 (reported January 14, 2019), concerns air bags. 1 campaign carries a park-it or park-outside warning. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2004 BMW X5 recalls for?

The largest group is power train, with 3 campaigns. Others: air bags (1), fuel system, gasoline (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2004 BMW X5?

Air bags is the most-reported component, named in 35 complaints out of 127 filed with NHTSA (28%). Across all complaints, owners reported 5 crashs and 19 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2004 BMW X5?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised BMW dealer.

Check a specific BMW by VIN

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