Recalls
5campaigns
3 power train · 1 air bag · 1 fuel pump
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
64filed
Owner reports, 2000–2009 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Fuel economy
16mpg combined
$4,082/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
3 L 6-cyl· 6-speed manual
4 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (5)
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2004 BMW X5. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2004 BMW X5. Not checked against your VIN.
NHTSA: Do not drive. NHTSA says owners should not drive these vehicles until the recall repair is done. What a Do Not Drive recall means
Inflators In Sports Steering Wheels May Explode
Air bags · frontal · driver side · inflator module
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Consequence
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
23.2% repairedof 157,549 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V015000
Listed for 2004 BMW X5. Not checked against your VIN.
BMW/THROTTLE VALVE CONTROL
Power train · clutch assembly · pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH 3.0 L ENGINES AND MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, IF THE VEHICLE IS IN FIRST GEAR, AND MOVING SLOWLY, WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HELD IN A CONSTANT POSITION OF LOW ENGINE SPEED AND WITH THE CLUTCH PEDAL HELD IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, ENGINE SPEED MAY INCREASE.
- Consequence
- THE VEHICLE COULD ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL UNIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Repair progress not yet reported358 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 04V409000
Listed for 2004 BMW X5. Not checked against your VIN.
BMW/FUEL IN-LINE SUCTION JET PUMP
Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · fuel pump
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE IN-TANK FUEL LINE MAY HAVE BEEN ATTACHED INCORRECTLY.
- Consequence
- ENGINE STALLING COULD OCCUR, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE'S FUEL GAUGE INDICATES THAT FUEL IS PRESENT IN THE TANK. DEPENDING UPON TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITIONS, THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE IN-TANK SUCTION JET PUMP FUEL LINE AND IF NECESSARY, REATTACH ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. THIS RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Repair progress not yet reported297 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 04V402000
Listed for 2004 BMW X5. Not checked against your VIN.
BMW/ENGINE CONTROL MODULE/ENGINE STALLING
Power train · automatic transmission · control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.
- Consequence
- AS A RESULT, ENGINE STALLING WILL OCCUR AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF OPERATION. THE VEHICLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART. ALSO, A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND, AFTER REPEATED ACTUATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, A LOSS OF BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL OCCUR. THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL UNIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Repair progress not yet reported4,102 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 04V344000
Listed for 2004 BMW X5. Not checked against your VIN.
BMW/FRONT DRIVETRAIN FASTENERS
Power train · driveline · differential unit
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL, THE RIGHT OUTPUT SHAFT HOUSING FLANGE AT THE ENGINE, AND THE RIGHT-HAND ENGINE SUPPORT MAY BE INSUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED.
- Consequence
- WITH PROLONGED DRIVING, THESE BOLTS COULD BECOME LOOSE, CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HOUSINGS. THE RIGHT OUTPUT SHAFT COULD BECOME DISCONNECTED, AFFECTING THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE DRIVETRAIN FASTENERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 28, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Repair progress not yet reported350 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 03V475000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (64)
64 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.
4involved a crash
10involved a fire
6injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 64 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 11 | 17.2% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 15.6% |
| Engine | 9 | 14.1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 7 | 10.9% |
| Seats | 7 | 10.9% |
| Structure | 7 | 10.9% |
| Air bags | 6 | 9.4% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 7.8% |
| Steering | 4 | 6.3% |
| Visibility | 4 | 6.3% |
How 2004 compares with other X5 years
Best and worst X5 years →200029
2001160
2002102
2003100
200464
200582
2006195
2007130
2008235
2009157
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 29 | 7 |
| 2001 | 160 | 13 |
| 2002 | 102 | 4 |
| 2003 | 100 | 4 |
| 2004 | 64 | 5 |
| 2005 | 82 | 2 |
| 2006 | 195 | 2 |
| 2007 | 130 | 13 |
| 2008 | 235 | 13 |
| 2009 | 157 | 16 |
This year (2004)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 16 mpg combined
16
mpg combined
13
city
20
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $5,150
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 555 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
$4,082per year
$340per month
938gallons a year
Miles ÷ 16 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 20 / 16 | $5,150 | 555 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | $5,150 | 555 |
| 4.4 L 8-cyl · 6-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | $5,150 | 555 |
| 4.8 L 8-cyl · 6-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | $5,150 | 555 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2004 X5 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2004 BMW X5 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2004 BMW X5 have?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 19V015000 (air bag), 04V409000 (power train), 04V402000 (fuel pump), 04V344000 (power train), 03V475000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2004 BMW X5 problems?
Owners filed 64 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (11), Electrical system (10), Engine (9) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2004 BMW X5 get?
EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual version at 13 city, 20 highway and 16 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2004 X5 compare with other years?
Among the 2000–2009 BMW X5 model years at least five years old, the 2000 drew the fewest complaints (29) and the 2008 the most (235). The 2004 drew 64. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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