2005 BMW X5 problems
Owners have filed 109 complaints about the 2005 BMW X5 with NHTSA. Air bags account for 14.7% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 13.8%.
Complaints109
Crashes3
Fires7
Injuries12
Deaths3
What owners report breaking
Air bags 14.7% · 16
Electrical system 13.8% · 15
Engine 11.0% · 12
Service brakes 9.2% · 10
Power train 8.3% · 9
Seats 6.4% · 7
Exterior lighting 4.6% · 5
Structure 4.6% · 5
Severity
Of those complaints, 3 describe a crash, 7 describe a fire, 12 report an injury and 3 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 22 model years of the BMW X5 in this data, 2005 draws comparatively few complaints; 2011 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 8 in the last three years against 20 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 89,075 miles.
In owners' own words
Driving on I-95 at 65 miles per hour. Hit on passenger side, rear quarter panel from another car attempting to change lanes without seeing my auto. My car went into a high speed spin resulting in the car leaving the highway causing a head on, high impact crash into a canal. Air bag(s) did not deploy, however all windows, sunroof, and trunk automatically opened allowing easy exit. Air bags · reported at 800 miles
The contact owns a 2005 BMW X5. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated and displayed that it was deactivated when the passenger seat was occupied. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact stated that there was a manufacturer's recall for the failure but the vehicle was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000. Air bags · reported at 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph the driver and side air bags deployed without the vehicle impacting any objects. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contacts home. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,899. Air bags · reported at 101,899 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…