2005 BMW X5
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 17 of 82 complaints (21%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Electrical include more fire reports (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 64 in 2004 to 82 in 2005.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | vs. 2005 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,850–5,550 | 4,850 | 4,850 | 4,850 | 4,300–4,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 14–16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16–18 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 12–14 / 16–19 | 13–14 / 19–20 | 13–14 / 19–20 | 13–14 / 19–20 | 14–15 / 19–21 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 555–635 | 555 | 555 | 555 | 494–555 | |
| Complaints filed | 100 | 64 | 82 | 195 | 130 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 13 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 6 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 13 | 10 | 5 | 12 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 6 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2005 BMW X5 have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2005 BMW X5?
Engine: 17 of 82 NHTSA complaints (21%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2005 BMW X5 get?
EPA rates it 16 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2005 BMW X5?
EPA estimates $4,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 13 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (high) | 16 mpg | $4,850 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 14 mpg (high) | 19 mpg (low) | 16 mpg | $4,850 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 4.4L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 14 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | 16 mpg | $4,850 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 4.8L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 14 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | 16 mpg | $4,850 | 555 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 17 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 9 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 15 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Brakes | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 16 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 12 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
EQUIPMENT · Campaign 07E069000 · Sep 6, 2007
Defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BMW BIKE CARRIERS, P/N 82110393954, SOLD FOR USE ON MY 2005 BMW X3 AND X5 VEHICLES. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE HITCH STYLE BICYCLE RACK.
Consequence: WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH POINT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING A SEVERE INJURY TO THE USER'S FINGER OR HAND.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES TOLL-FREE AT 800-831-1117.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 05V504000 · Nov 3, 2005
Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
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.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 05V367000 · Aug 26, 2005
Defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ATTACHMENT OF THE BRAKE LINE SUPPORT BRACKET WITHIN THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WELL WAS NOT WELDED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. IT COULD LOOSEN AND OVER TIME THE BRAKE HOSE COULD RUB AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL.
Consequence: THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE HOSE COULD BECOME DAMAGED TO THE POINT WHERE A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ATTACH THE BRAKE LINE SUPPORT BRACKET TO THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WELL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.