2005 BMW X5 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 11%of 82 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 BMW X5, 11% of the 82 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is 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.
“Bang/clunk/kick - after giving gas from a rolling stop - feels like just got hit! What the hell is going on? This is not safe, my neck gets snapped back big time. I just purchased my 2005 X5 4.4i (88k miles) and all of a sudden every time I don't stop completely from a stop sign (rolling stop or slight incline) I hear and feel this loud bang/kick/clunk after I press the gas. Seems like it's trying to find a gear or the transfer case has something wrong or rear differential? …”
NHTSA complaint #10681710, filed 2015-02, 88,000 miles“I have had a message come up on my bmx X5 saying trans.failsafe.prog. The first time was on 7/31/09 they said nothing was wrong or came up when they drove it at the dealership. On 9/09/09 the same message popped up and my car would not change gears and felt like it was going to shut off.”
NHTSA complaint #10283581, filed 2009-09, 52,000 miles“On 1/6/14 I went outside and started up vehicle and let it warm up for a bit and then I drove about 2miles and car was acting funny as I drove it. It didn't want to go so I gave it some gas and RPM's revved up but odometer was moving up and down all crazy. I left vehicle cranked as I went into store and drove it back home. Didn't want to turn it off in case it didn't start back up. On 1/8/14 I went out and cranked car to warm up for a minute and then put car into drive and heard a loud pop. I then put car back into park. …”
NHTSA complaint #10560314, filed 2014-01, 83,500 miles“I own a 2000 Bmw X5 that cost approximately $62,000. My vehicle has only 27,593 miles and needs transmission repairs totally over $8,000. I was driving on a residential street when the vehicle broke down after stopping at a stop sign. When I stepped on the gas to drive the car made a very loud high pitched screeching sound and would no longer drive. It was towed into the same dealership where I purchased the vehicle. I was told that the transfer case was bad and this caused metal splines to enter the differential and that I would need a new transfer case, drive shaft, and front differential. …”
NHTSA complaint #10137111, filed 2005-09, 27,593 miles“Engine iced up and hydro-locked from condensate. Stalled in traffic with slippery roads, in front of a logging truck. Very narrowly escaped collision. Found many incidents of this on internet and it appears that Bmw has allowed this to continue over time and is not acknowledging issue. Repair shop I'm using has dealt with many incidents of this, too. Used for 17 mile each way daily commute so short trip-related problems should not be an issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10676300, filed 2015-01, 97,000 milesRelated recalls
- 05V504000Nov 1, 2005Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with an incorrectly manufactured automatic transmission parking pawl guide plate.Covers: BMW X5 2005–2006, 6 Series 2005–2006, 5 Series 2005–2006
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…
- 10035010Oct 1, 2010Bmw vehicle: transmission warning light is illuminated and the transmission enters failsafe mode. Fault code 4f81 (ratio monitoring, clutch a), in some cases combined with the…
- 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…
- 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 2005 BMW X5
16 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsExterior lighting
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 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