The Lemon Index

All cars · BMW X5 · 2005

2005 BMW X5. Advanced data.

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

Lemon Index–100 = average car
Complaints4NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold37,598U.S. model year
Per 100K sold11complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.0L 6-cylManual 6-spd4Wheel or AWD13 / 20 / 16Premium$4,850
3.0L 6-cylAuto (S5)4Wheel or AWD14 / 19 / 16Premium$4,850
4.4L 8-cylAuto (S6)4Wheel or AWD14 / 20 / 16Premium$4,850
4.8L 8-cylAuto (S6)4Wheel or AWD14 / 20 / 16Premium$4,850

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 61,000 and 115,000 miles. Median 88,500, from 64 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Airbags115,00074,800–135,00011
Electrical115,00067,200–139,0009
Engine86,80076,200–119,80010
Brakes110,10070,000–118,0007
Transmission & drivetrain56,00033,200–86,9008

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
Transmission & drivetrain25%
Tires25%
Lights25%
Fuel system, gasoline25%
Electrical25%

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

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
8235911

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 07E069000 Sep 2007 Equipment

    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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 05V504000 Nov 2005 Power Train / Automatic Transmission

    Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.

    Risk. 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.

  • 05V367000 Aug 2005 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

    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.

    Risk. 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.

Manufacturer communications 88

BMW filed 88 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Harsh 2-1 downshift
  • Replacement of front outer cv joint
  • Driveability complaints due to cooling fan relay failure

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2002642842,742Visibility
2003–1840,715Engine
2004–635,225Transmission & drivetrain
2005–437,598Transmission & drivetrain
2006–1226,798Airbags
2007–1035,202Transmission & drivetrain
2008–1931,858Transmission & drivetrain

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