2004 BMW X5: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 BMW X5: 4 recalls, 64 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #03V475000 · 2003 · 350 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and retighten the drivetrain fasteners. Owner notification began November 28, 2003. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #04V344000 · 2004 · 4,102 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 8 and 12 cylinder engines, the digital engine management control (emc) units were not produced according to specifications.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #04V402000 · 2004 · 297 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain sport utility vehicles, the in-tank fuel line May have been attached incorrectly.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #04V409000 · 2004 · 358 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The vehicle could accelerate unexpectedly, which could result in a crash.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 10 mention a fire, 6 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (11): the most common themes are warning light on (3), hard / delayed shifting (3), stalls / loses power (2).
- Electrical (10): the most common themes are electrical failure (5), noise or vibration (2), fire / smoke (2).
- Engine (9): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3), leaks (2), warning light on (2).
- Body & structure (7): the most common themes are door / lock issues (4), noise or vibration (2).
The 2004 BMW X5 has 64 owner complaints, ranking #23 of 28 X5 model years for complaints (well below the 113 average). Complaints peaked in 2010 (14 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 88,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (99 complaints, 3 recalls), 2005 (82 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 20 | 16 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Premium |
| 4.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 BMW X5.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 BMW X5 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2004 BMW X5. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2004 BMW X5 problems?
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (11), electrical (10), engine (9).
What gas mileage does the 2004 BMW X5 get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (3.0 L, Manual 6-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 BMW X5 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.