2005 BMW 5 Series: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 21 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2012
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“There are 3 recalls reported for my year make and model of a car I just purchased that at giving me problems and I'm receiving warning messages on my navigation but my VIN is not registering with dealership for being eligible for resolution please reply back with steps to repair”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2017
“Bmw I-drive cuts out while driving, and blinks or reboots. While driving home it cut out, and would not stop blinking. This distraction and malfunction is dangerous.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2016
“On the morning of 3/18/2015 at 8 am. I started the car and received a passenger restraint system warning on the display. The car was parked in the garage. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 2005 bmw 5-series. The contact stated that the air bag and seat belt warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the front passenger seat sensor mat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08v384000 (air bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 71,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2015
“2005 bmw 525i. Passenger seat air bag malfunction light illuminated. Took vehicle to independent mechanic for diagnosis. Conclusion from mechanic was that passenger air bag seat mat was broken per NHTSA action number ea08001. Took vehicle to irvine bmw for repair under extended seat mat warranty. Irvine bmw said that passenger seat mat did not cause malfunction. Repairs would cost $1,075. Repairs were declined because independent mechanic would charge $400. Irvine bmw charged a $170 diagnosis fee. *tr”Owner report · Seats · May 2014
“Hello, I've got an airbag light on the dashboard about two months ago on my bmw e60 530i 2005. The board computer it says: "passenger restraint system" malfunction. I went to the dealer in vegas and he took the light off, after one week it came out again. I'm wondering about myself safety and my passengers as well. I'm asking you to help me to fix that problem as sooner as possible. Thank you *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2014
“Transmission jerks as if you are missing a spark or it is trying to find a higher or lower gear while cruising in traffic between 32-40 mph. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw 5 series. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the sensor pressure mat on the passenger side seat was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 34,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw 545. The contact stated when driving 10 mph, the vehicle began exhibiting braking issue with an increase in stopping distance and time. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing which diagnosed the failure as a faulty brake vacuum pump. The contact then took the vehicle to a certified mechanic to have the vacuum pump replaced but did not remedy the failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer for further diagnosis. The failure mileage was 91,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 2005 bmw 5 series. The contact received recall notice NHTSA campaign id number 10v446000 - (service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum). He had the repairs specified on the letter done on the vehicle but it did not remedy the problem. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where they diagnosed that the vacuum pump itself was leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the manufacturer was only providing a temporary fix to the problem. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 70,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR AND REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GUIDE PLATE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-332-4269.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
Remedy: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REWORK THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT SO THAT EXTERNAL FORCE APPLICATION TO THE SEAT DOES NOT CAUSE A CRACK TO THE MAT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2008. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
How other years compare
Check your exact 5 Series by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 BMW 5 Series reliable?
NHTSA has 21 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 BMW 5 Series. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2005 BMW 5 Series have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.