general problems of the 2005 BMW X5

14 problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 2005 BMW X5. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 BMW X5 based on all problems reported for the 2005 X5.

1 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/24/2022

My father was sitting in his parked car in his driveway and his car caught on fire. A neighbor witnessed it she said it was engulfed in flames within seconds and my father died from smoke inhalation due to the fire. Aberdeen wa police department and fire department examined the vehicle and investigated the cause and determined it started in the vehicle engine. Also the coroner did an autopsy to determine his cause of death. From what I understand there has been numerous similar fires with this model yet it hasn’t been included in any recall. It is unknown to me whether there were any indicator lights on. He had only owned the vehicle for less than a week I believe. I am having the vehicle returned to me now that the police and fire department are finished examining it. As far as I know they are the only ones to have contact with it since the fire.

2 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/01/2017

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.

3 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/16/2016

I was at a stop sign then accelerated onto a round-a-bout when the vehicle stopped it would not accelerate even though my foot was on the gas pedal and the car was still on. I tried signaling my emergency lights but the whole inside of the dashboard was going on & off not letting me signal anything. I put the vehicle in park & turned off the car. When I tried turning it back on it would just click and all lights would turn on. I waited for 20 min then tried to start it again & it did start but then sounded like it was dying out and eventually would shut off, there was more than a half tank of gas in the vehicle.

4 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/24/2016

Rear brake lights keep going out, in motion, got pulled over by police.

5 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/18/2016

While I was replacing my angel eyes I noticed that the wire insulation was gone. I could see brown and white wires all in the light housing. Now its just bare copper wire.

6 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/01/2015

Tl-the contact owns a 2005 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph with the heated seat activated, the front drivers side seat began to get hot and there was a burning odor. The contact reduced the heat for the seat but the failure recurred whenever the seat heating option was activated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000. Djr.

7 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/25/2013

I bought the vehicle in may 2013. On July 25, I had just started the car and black smoke began pouring out of the vents. No smoke under the hood. I turned off the vcar and went for help. Sparks and flames started, the drivers curtain airbag deployed, and the alarm went off. We were able to stop the fire with an extinguisher andno one was hurt. I saw another complaint of this type. My car is a total loss. All the electronics are burned out. This should not happen spontaneously!.

8 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/30/2012

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.

9 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/04/2012

Last Saturday while driving down the highway our (2005 X5) air conditioner began smoking, especially on the passenger side. We pulled over and within 10 minutes the entire cab was engulfed in flames (no flames under the hood). We were able to get out of the vehicle before the flames erupted. The vehicle is totaled, along with approximately $12,000. 00 in personal contents.

10 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/26/2011

Bought the my car about 3 months ago, I noticed water leaking from the top console, I took it back the dealer and they cant find the problem. Its been leaking off and on. A few weeks ago I noticed about an inch of water deposit in the trunk area, some fuse were wet and other electronics from the water dripping good thing it did not cause a fire. I took it to BMW and they said either I need a new sunroof cassette($5000) or new water drains(($1300) which they claimed was missing on one side, not sure if the car came out of production with one missing water drain. Who would spend that amount of money on some repairs that`s not even guarantee to fix the leak? I`m just concerned that this problem is fire hazard.

11 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/17/2011

Resistance in the electrical contacts on rear brake light is causing my brake light to intermittent stop working.

12 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/22/2010

For a period of about two weeks while driving and using the drivers seat heater my wife experienced excessive heat on the left side of the seat. On the date of the incident while driving she experienced a very painful burning sensation on her left leg and could smell something burning in the vehicle. She shutoff the seat heater and applied a scarf under her leg to stop the burning sensation. Upon notifying the dealer service department she was advised that this was caused by normal wear and tear and that he was currently dealing with another incident so he could give her a quote right away. While at work the next day she was talking with a customer and he said he experienced the same problem but didn't get it repaired because it cost to much to replace the seat. Upon taking the vehicle in for service the service employee advised that he had also seen this before and that it was from wear and tear. It should be noted that our insurance covered this except for $50 as the vehicle is a very low mileage vehicle. It has only been driven by my wife who is a small female about 130 lbs. The vehicle is in excellent condition with no wear and tear and is serviced regularly. The vehicle has never been in an accident. I have taken digital photos which I can provide that will show there is no wear or tear on the seat in the burned/melted area. We feel that this is a very dangerous situation that seems to be a reoccurring problem and is being brushed off as "wear and tear". This incident could have resulted in my wife being injured by burning or being distracted while driving and ending up in an accident.

13 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/27/2009

I have had issues with every single window. They do not roll up. I repeatedly pay to have these fixed and they continue to be an issue. There is an absolute defect in these windows. I have had an array of vehicles, none of which had half as many issues as this BMW.

14 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/06/2009

BMW x-5 2005 heated seats turn instantly burning hot to the touch. Resulting charred black seat underneath leather exterior. This can cause a fire or and individual be burned. BMW charged $200. 00 to verify there is a problem but unwilling to recall. The seat underneath the leather is burned black and lucky is did not start fire.


Other Electrical System related problems of the 2005 BMW X5

Electrical System problems
14
Wiring problems
1
Battery problems
1

Safety Ratings of X5 Cars
Fuel Economy of X5 Vehicles
X5 Service Bulletins
X5 Safety Recalls
X5 Defect Investigations