Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 BMW X5, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 20 | 19% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 8% |
| Power train | 7 | 7% |
| Seats | 6 | 6% |
| Engine | 5 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 5% |
| Tires | 4 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 4% |
| Structure | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I purchased a used Pirelli Scorpion Strada 255/55R18 109V tire (DOT code 1UN L4W990 4221) for my SUV. When I returned home from the installation, the tire appeared normal. However, the next morning—within 24 hours of ins
NHTSA complaint: Tires
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. Aber
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Faulty Check valve connected to brake booster leaks oil into brake booster causing contamination and loss of power braking. Recall issued for roughly 30,000 BMW X5 vehicles produced from 2007-2010 for a similar issue but
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THE WIRING HARNESS INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS ARE LOOSING THE INSULATION, AND THERE ALL THE BARE WIRES ARE EXPOSED. THIS IS A HIGH FIRE HAZARD, WHAT MAY CAUSE DEATH OF THE OCCUPANTS AND OTHERS IN THE TRAFFIC. THIS PROBLEM IS
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
CAR STARTS TO SHAKE ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN GOING AT A HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAY AND NOTICING LEAKS BUT NOT SURE FROM WHERE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS FRACTURED. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD AND ALMOST STRUC
NHTSA complaint: Parking brake
TAKATA RECALL? DRIVING AT LOW SPEED A VERY LARGE EXPLOSION NOISE (SOUND LIKE SHOTGUN) FROM PASSENGER SIDE. DID NOT COM THROUGH DASH BUT SOUND LIKE IT TORE THROUGH THE HEATER FAN. COULD HEAR PIECES WHEN HEATER ON. EARS S
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
ON JANUARY 10 2019 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN SUDDENLY MY BMW DECIDES TO SHUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO WARNING. MY STEERING WHEEL STIFFENED UP AND I ALMOST CRASHED MY CAR. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT OR NOTHING BLINKING
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 BMW X5. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ATTACHMENT OF THE BRAKE LINE SUPPORT BRACKET WITHIN THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WELL WAS NOT WELDED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. IT COULD LOOSEN AND OVER TIME THE BRAKE HOSE COULD RUB AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL.
Risk: THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE HOSE COULD BECOME DAMAGED TO THE POINT WHERE A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL RE-ATTACH THE BRAKE LINE SUPPORT BRACKET TO THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WELL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE PARKING LOCK SYSTEM NOT TO ENGAGE, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED IN THE PARK ("P") POSITION. IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED, TH
Fix: 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.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BMW BIKE CARRIERS, P/N 82110393954, SOLD FOR USE ON MY 2005 BMW X3 AND X5 VEHICLES. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE HITCH STYLE BICYCLE RACK.
Risk: WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH POINT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING A SEVERE INJURY TO THE USER'S FINGER OR HAND.
Fix: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES TOLL-FRE
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 41 | below average |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 73 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 20 of them (19%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 61/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.