2004 BMW X5 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 16%of 64 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 102,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 BMW X5, 16% of the 64 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 102,500 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was came back from work to have lunch. Car was parked in drive way. After 30 mins of lunch when I came out of the house, I saw smoke coming from the front of the car. Car was not running. Keys were in my pocket. I opened the hood and saw fire in the cooling fan. I pulled my water hose to stop the fire. Waiting for towing truck to come and take it to Bmw service. I am surprised to see how a non-running car can catch fire. There is something wrong with bmws.”
NHTSA complaint #10511936, filed 2013-05, 151,846 miles“Brake lights keep failing due to metal used for connections or computer allowing too much electrical juice to connection. This happens every few months when the metal connection turns black. It now has melted & damaged the tail lite unit and the entire tail lite assembly must be replaced to fix it. The unit is very expensive. I have not replaced it. I have been scraping the black off the metal connector for probably 4 years. Now the mechanic says the entire tail lite assembly needs to be replaced. I have not replaced it. I ask if there was a recall and they said no.”
NHTSA complaint #10322228, filed 2010-03, 35,000 miles“Vehicle started smoking from under the car and air vents while car was in motion air conditioning was running and the owner pulled over and the fire department put out the fire and broke 3 windows unnecessarily in the process. Car ended up being totaled and resides at owners property. Could be based on other reports and a possible recall on blower motor on 2001-2003 recalls were checked and are current on this vehicle checked by dealer and NHTSA website”
NHTSA complaint #11102874, filed 2018-06, 105,000 miles“Water damage. The vehicle has taken water in the rear trunk area. When looked at, there is a puddle of standing water covering the electronic components such as the radio amplifier and other electronics. Vehicle was stationary and not moving. Water seems to occur only when raining. Radio and speakers do not work and give off a ruffling sound even when key is out of the ignition. We have disconnected the battery from the car to prevent any further damages.”
NHTSA complaint #10958279, filed 2017-03, 119,000 miles“The consumer experienced sudden acceleration. There were random problems when the vehicle was accelerated from stop. The electronic system would fail 3-5 times per week. The problem was unable to be solved.”
NHTSA complaint #10105248, filed 2005-01, 5,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery…
- 10245422Nov 22, 2023Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâÂÂs equipment and settings, no acoustic or…
- 10225115Sep 1, 2022Customer is unable to power up or charge accessories through a plug adapter inserted in the front 12-volt power socket plug. Alternatively, it will only operate when constant…
- 10218384Jun 1, 2022Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column. Note…
- 10218382Jun 1, 2022A check control message for the restraint system appears. In the Instrument cluster, the red air bag warning light lights up permanently. One of the following fault codes stored…
- 10182619Oct 1, 2020Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has…
- 10149557Oct 1, 2018For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata…
- 10147861Dec 1, 2015SI B12 08 08 Engine Electrical Systems December 2015 Technical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B12 08 08 dated April 2008. The vehicle's NOx emissions may…
- 10052012Mar 1, 2013Bmw: battery has an increased demand due to developemental process of the electrical system. This is causing the batter to need to undergo an energy diagnosis.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 36% |
| 2025 | 8 | 13% |
| 2024 | 25 | 17% |
| 2023 | 8 | 24% |
| 2022 | 16 | 22% |
| 2021 | 38 | 35% |
| 2020 | 39 | 35% |
| 2019 | 72 | 37% |
| 2018 | 15 | 21% |
| 2017 | 17 | 23% |
| 2016 | 23 | 31% |
| 2015 | 13 | 9% |
| 2014 | 15 | 15% |
| 2013 | 21 | 14% |
| 2012 | 29 | 11% |
| 2011 | 19 | 7% |
| 2010 | 23 | 19% |
| 2009 | 16 | 12% |
| 2008 | 35 | 16% |
| 2007 | 9 | 13% |
| 2006 | 20 | 12% |
| 2005 | 15 | 18% |
| 2004 | 10 | 16% |
| 2003 | 17 | 17% |
| 2002 | 16 | 16% |
| 2001 | 24 | 15% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2004 BMW X5
11 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
7 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 BMW X5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology