2004 BMW X5 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 17%of 64 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,580miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 BMW X5, 17% of the 64 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,580 miles. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
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.
“Have accident.because my Bmw X5 2004 when start the engine..the car jump. And problems with trasmission not work good when l star driving the car jump the speeds not work good the gears 2 months ago l hit .the front car .because my car jump .in have to pay .the owner the other cars .have to many accidents with Bmw X5 2004..please you can help me ..thank you very much.”
NHTSA complaint #11014998, filed 2017-08, 50 miles“1. Did a 3 point turn and then pulled onto a 45 MPH road way 2. Front tires locked up and I skidded to a stop, even after I depressed the clutch. 3. Front differential failure, was replace to correct the problem 4. Fortunately the person following me was not tailgating so no accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10407054, filed 2011-06, 85,000 miles“My bmx 5 (2004) stalls occasionally at low speeds. This has occurred 4 times in the last three months. The service center has been unable to duplicate the problem or determine the cause. I'm usually exiting a parking lot or school when it occurs and estimated speed is between 5 and 10 MPH. There are no sensors or warning indicators before or after the incident and a diagnostic check at the Bmw service center revealed no sensors or indicators activated. There were two recalls for Bmw x 5 2004 models that were related to stalling but have not been associated with my particular vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10358983, filed 2010-10, 99,000 miles“Dear sir or madam- please see the email below which I sent to Bmw of north america regarding recurring transmission issues with our X5. This is a major safety issue and I am asking for your help to get Bmw to resolve this issue. ___________________ dear sir or madam- please let this email serve as a formal complaint for the transmission of our 2004 X5 4.4. I have lost both my patience and confidence in our X5 and feel that the safety of our children (2 1/2 and 16 months) is at risk as this is the primary vehicle they are transported in. …”
NHTSA complaint #10136355, filed 2005-09, 14,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Bmw X5. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed. The vehicle's gear did not illuminate to display which gear the vehicle was shifted into. The vehicle went into limp mode as a result. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the gear circuit range failed and the computer needed to be reprogrammed. The failure and current mileages were 74,160.”
NHTSA complaint #10465593, filed 2012-07, 74,160 milesRelated recalls
- 04V409000Aug 18, 2004On 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…Covers: BMW X5 2004
- 04V344000Jul 14, 2004On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 8 and 12 cylinder engines, the digital engine management control (emc) units were not produced according to…Covers: BMW X5 2004, 5 Series 2004, 7 Series 2004 +1 more
- 03V475000Nov 14, 2003On 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…Covers: BMW X5 2004
Related service bulletins
- 10147008Aug 1, 2016"REPAIRING TRANSFER CASE ACTUATOR (VTG SERVO-MOTOR). The Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), Brakes and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) warnings are on and there may also be a ""Drivetrain…
- 10031624Sep 1, 2009Bmw: replacement of front outer cv joint. Complaints of clicking or grinding noises coming from the front axle area when making a turn. The front outer constant velocity joint…
- 10025583Apr 1, 2008E53 with m54 and gm5 - reprogram dme. E53 (x5) with m54 engine and gm5 transmission produced 9/3003 - 10/2004.
- 10025582Apr 1, 2008Service action on my 2005 and 2006 e53 (x5) with m54 engine and gm5 transmission produced 09/2004-10/2006 - reprogram dme.
- 10014893Jan 1, 2006Harsh 2-1 downshift. *eh bmw e35. *sc x5 from 10/03 up to 04/05.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 14% |
| 2025 | 7 | 11% |
| 2024 | 16 | 11% |
| 2023 | 9 | 26% |
| 2022 | 25 | 35% |
| 2021 | 31 | 28% |
| 2020 | 17 | 15% |
| 2019 | 20 | 10% |
| 2018 | 10 | 14% |
| 2017 | 10 | 13% |
| 2016 | 13 | 18% |
| 2015 | 14 | 9% |
| 2014 | 12 | 12% |
| 2013 | 36 | 24% |
| 2012 | 53 | 20% |
| 2011 | 58 | 22% |
| 2010 | 6 | 5% |
| 2009 | 10 | 7% |
| 2008 | 16 | 7% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 | 9 | 11% |
| 2004 | 11 | 17% |
| 2003 | 16 | 16% |
| 2002 | 6 | 6% |
| 2001 | 15 | 9% |
| 2000 | 7 | 24% |
Other parts of the 2004 BMW X5
10 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 30, 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