2005 BMW X5 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 6%of 82 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,729miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2005 BMW X5, 6% of the 82 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,729 miles.
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.
“Takata recall my brake light comes on telling me that they do not work. But some times they are still working and some times there are not! When checking the light removed right side bulb (good) put light bulb back in works fine for a week or so. Then it's starts all over again.”
NHTSA complaint #10918545, filed 2016-10, 30,000 miles“Both taillight housing circuit boards shorts out. Burns between housing and adapter . Thus causes a break in the circuit and you don't have any taillights. This is a safety concern and is illegal to go with no taillights.”
NHTSA complaint #11048199, filed 2017-11, 115,000 miles“My breaks went out the lights goes on and off the wioers dont work the outside lights goes on and off at night I have a outrageous ciolant leak and mire I have drove the car in about 5 months or longer and still making payments now the car is completely dead I don't know what to do me and the kids gers soaked because I h a ve walk them to and from school everyday it sucks so im making payments for something I can use ive had coils replaced everything it vibrates really bad when I come to a stop light ibhave had no accident or anything just problems”
NHTSA complaint #10545231, filed 2013-09“The contact owns a 2005 Bmw X5. The contact stated that the rear brake lights did not work. The dealer stated that the lamp shorted and the wires were burned. The lamp was replaced at an estimated cost of $600. Shortly after the repair, the rear passenger side lamp failed. The failure mileage was 68,383 and current mileage was 72,550. Updated 12/30/08 updated 12/30/08”
NHTSA complaint #10249679, filed 2008-11, 68,383 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10057566Oct 1, 2014Bmw: some vehicles, with 552 option, are experiencing a malfunction of led headlight on one where it flickers on an doff during driving and the control check message is…
- 10040177Mar 1, 2013Bmw: the brake light fails and the bulb holder is deformed due to high temperatures and the composition of the holder. *rm updated on 4/25/2013.
- 10042704Sep 1, 2011Bmw: on certain vehicles, the xenon headlamp often have no trouble found when returned and tested thru warranty parts system. The root cause is not possible to be identify.
- 10037025Aug 1, 2010Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
- 10041804Mar 1, 2010Bmw: the bulb has failed on the daytime running lamp.
- 10025983Jun 1, 2008Bmw: headlamp moisture: fault diagnostics. Water or condensation in one or both headlamps. Models 5 series, 6 series, 7 series, x5, x6, 1 series, and 3 series. Model years…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 5 | 4% |
| 2019 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 11 | 5% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 4 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 5 | 8% |
| 2003 | 6 | 6% |
| 2002 | 8 | 8% |
| 2001 | 9 | 6% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2005 BMW X5
16 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsTires
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 BMW X5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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