Is your car affected?
Check by VIN to confirm the
exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (4)
Power train: clutch assembly, pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: THE VEHICLE COULD ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE IN-TANK FUEL LINE MAY HAVE BEEN ATTACHED INCORRECTLY.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Power train: automatic transmission, control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Power train: driveline, differential unit
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE DRIVETRAIN FASTENERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 28, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Canadian recalls (6)
Show 6 Canadian recalls
Do not driveAirbag
2019-01-15 · campaign 2019-020
Issue:
2023 Update - BMW has updated this recall and issued a do not drive advisory for all vehicles that that not yet been repaired.
Some vehicles may contain a replacement sport steering wheel with a Takata driver-front air bag module. Long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function.
Safety Risk:
If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury.
Corrective Actions:
BMW advises not to drive your vehicle unless this recall repair has been completed. BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the driver-front airbag inflator. The driver-front airbag module or inflator will be replaced as necessary.
To learn if your vehicle requires repair, owners may:
• Visit https://www.bmw.ca/en/ssl/VehicleRecall.html
• Contact your preferred or local BMW Retailer
• Call BMW Customer Relations Recall Services at 1-855-217-3002
Label
2012-04-12 · campaign 2012-129
Certain vehicles fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Specifically, the compliance label does not indicate the wheel rim size, as required by the Standard. Correction: Due to the inconsequential nature of this non-compliance, no action will be taken.
Other
2004-08-12 · campaign 2004-291 · 9 vehicles
The potential defect involves the electronic programming of the digital engine management control unit with regard to throttle valve control. On certain vehicles, when moving slowly in first gear, with low but constant throttle (approximately 1,500 - 2,000 rpm), and the clutch pedal partially depressed (approximately 1 - 2 inches) and held at this position, engine speed may increase resulting in undesired vehicle acceleration. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the digital engine management control unit.
Fuel system
2004-08-05 · campaign 2004-279 · 29 vehicles
On certain vehicles, the in-tank fuel line of the suction jet fuel pump, through which fuel is transferred from the left chamber to the right chamber of the fuel tank, may have been attached incorrectly. Consequently, during vehicle operation, the in-tank fuel line could loosen. If this happened, transfer of fuel from the left chamber to the right chamber could stop. As a result, if fuel in the right chamber of the tank had been completely consumed, engine stalling would occur. Correction: Dealers will inspect the in-tank suction jet pump fuel line and, if necessary, reattach according to specifications.
Other
2004-07-15 · campaign 2004-246 · 355 vehicles
On certain vehicles, the digital engine management control unit was not produced according to specifications. As a result, engine stalling will occur after a short period of operation. The vehicle may not be able to be restarted. Also, a loss of power steering and, after repeated actuation of the brake pedal, a loss of brake power assistance will occur. If stalling were to occur, the driver would be unable to maintain vehicle speed or accelerate. Steering and braking, while possible, would be difficult. Depending on traffic conditions and the driver's reactions, this could lead to a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the digital engine management control unit.
Powertrain
2003-11-04 · campaign 2003-265 · 40 vehicles
On certain vehicles, insufficient tightening torque may have been applied to certain front drivetrain fasteners. Specifically, the affected fasteners are those involving the front differential, the right output shaft housing flange at the engine, and the right-hand engine support. Insufficient torque could lead to a loosening of a fastener. If this happens, at first, noise would be perceptible to the driver. During prolonged driving, sufficient loosening of a fastener could cause damage to a fastener's threading, as well as, to engine and transmission housings. In extreme cases, the right output shaft could become disconnected. Correction: Dealer will inspect and retighten the drivetrain fasteners to their specified values.
Owner complaints (64)
Owners filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 BMW X5 (4 crashes, 10 fires, 6 injuries reported). Among 27 model years of this model, it ranks #23 for the most complaints (median 102).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Power train | 11 | |
| Electrical system | 10 | |
| Engine | 9 | |
| Structure | 7 | |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 7 | |
| Seats | 7 | |
| Air bags | 6 | |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 BMW X5.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2004 BMW X5 4-DR. w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2004 BMW X5 version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| X5 3.0 L Manual 6-spd | 13 | 20 | 16 | $5,150 |
| X5 3.0 L Automatic (S5) | 14 | 19 | 16 | $5,150 |
| X5 4.4 L Automatic (S6) | 14 | 20 | 16 | $5,150 |
| X5 4.8IS 4.8 L Automatic (S6) | 14 | 20 | 16 | $5,150 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.