The Lemon Index

All cars · BMW 5 Series · 2005

2005 BMW 5 Series. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index–100 = average car
Complaints17NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold52,722U.S. model year
Per 100K sold32complaints

Engines and drivetrains 6

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.5L 6-cylManual 6-spdRWD17 / 26 / 20Premium$3,850
2.5L 6-cylAuto (S6)RWD17 / 26 / 20Premium$3,850
3.0L 6-cylManual 6-spdRWD18 / 27 / 21Premium$3,700
3.0L 6-cylAuto (S6)RWD18 / 27 / 21Premium$3,700
4.4L 8-cylAuto (S6)RWD16 / 24 / 19Premium$4,050
4.4L 8-cylManual 6-spdRWD15 / 23 / 18Premium$4,300

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 60,000 and 114,200 miles. Median 87,600, from 158 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Airbags89,80065,100–111,50088
Electrical112,00071,300–137,50025
Seat belts87,50064,300–117,50024
Transmission & drivetrain74,50055,000–108,00021
Brakes76,50055,800–91,80010

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Airbags29%
Tires18%
Electrical18%
Visibility18%
Steering12%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
19277402

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedBmw airbag light illumination20082008
ClosedBmw airbag light illumination20072008

Manufacturer communications 58

BMW filed 58 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Battery Replacements
  • "N54 Engine: Diagnosis of Cold Start Rough Running with Misfire Faults

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2002552340,842Transmission & drivetrain
2003–1746,964Speed control
2004913645,584Airbags
2005–1752,722Airbags
2006732956,756Electrical
2007623054,142Electrical
20082149745,915Fuel system, gasoline

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data