The Lemon Index2005 BMW 5 Series.
The 2005 BMW 5 Series has too few complaints to score: 17 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 17 to 21 mpg combined. The best BMW 5 Series year is 2016.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 192 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every BMW 5 Series year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 60K to 114K miles on the car (158 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 65K–111K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 71K–137K miles
- seat belts complaints mostly came at 64K–117K miles
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems BMW told dealers about
BMW sent dealers 58 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Battery Replacements
- "N54 Engine: Diagnosis of Cold Start Rough Running with Misfire Faults
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedBmw airbag light illumination2008
- ClosedBmw airbag light illumination2007–2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3800–4700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
The tires wore out in less than 1000 miles on a new car. The company (BMW) was aware of this problem but delivered the car with the defective tires.
2005 BMW 5 Series owner · NHTSA complaint 10109962
More owner reports
Passenger air bag sensor is defective, since is costs %1500 dollars to replace sensor I cannot afford to do this. I was also told it defaults in the do not fire mode which again is stupid.
NHTSA complaint 10225280
Quick answers
Is the 2005 BMW 5 Series reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 17 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2005 BMW 5 Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (29%), tires (18%) and electrical (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 BMW 5 Series have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2005 BMW 5 Series get?
17 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 BMW 5 Series problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 60,000 and 114,200 miles. The middle report was at 87,600 miles, from 158 complaints.
Does the 2005 BMW 5 Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 BMW 5 Series cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $4700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 BMW 5 Series have?
2.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl.
What BMW 5 Series year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2016, 2015 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works