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2005 BMW 5 Series problems

The most common problem on the 2005 BMW 5 Series is airbags, typically around 72,025 miles. It has 1.4 times the complaints of a typical 5 Series model year.

Typical year1.4x the typical complaints
Year score
59/100
Owner complaints
21
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
55
Worst area
Airbags

The worst 2005 BMW 5 Series problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    10
  • Electrical
    4
  • Brakes
    3
  • Transmission
    2
  • Locks
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    10
  • Electrical
    4
  • Brakes
    3
  • Transmission
    2
  • Locks
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 4

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cablesReported March 26, 2012 · 367,682 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Overheating could lead to a fire, even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
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.

Recall number 12V126000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuumReported October 1, 2010 · 198,352 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Power assist braking performance could be adversely affected. In extreme cases there could be a complete loss of power assist braking. An unexpected reduction or loss in power braking assist may increase the risk of a crash.
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.

Recall number 10V446000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported August 5, 2008 · 200,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
In this situation the front passenger air bags will not deploy even if a sufficiently severe accident would occur and occupant protection provided by the system would not be possible.
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.

Recall number 08V384000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported November 1, 2005 · 240 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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, this could result in a vehicle rollaway condition.
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.

Recall number 05V504000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2005 BMW 5 Series

Defect investigations

Bmw airbag light illuminationOpened January 4, 2008, closed December 31, 2008

Bmw is conducting a safety recall campaign on approximately 200,000 my04 through my06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05 to correct the front passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat. The specific vehicles included in the recall aremy04- 06/ 5-series with standard and sport seats, my04-06/ x3-series and my06/ 3-series with sport seats. In addition, bmw will extend the warranty coverage of the passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat to 10-year/unlimited mileage on approximately 120,000 remaining my04-06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05. The specific vehicles included in the extended warranty are my 06/ 6 series, my 06/ 3-series with standard seats, my04-05/ z4, my04-06/ 7 series, my 06/ x5, and my04-06/ 5-series with comfort seats.the average frequency of failures among the extended warranty groups was less than 1/7th of the recall vehicle groups.please see bmw's 08v‑384 recall notification for further detailsdepending on seat configuration and vehicle geometry, the occupant detection mat can fatigue during use depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit.specifically, over time, micro-cracks could develop in the side flanks of the mat causing a broken circuit.a brokencircuit can lead to the deactivation of the passenger air bag and the illumination of both the air bag warning light and the passenger air bag light.

EA08001

Bmw airbag light illuminationOpened September 4, 2007, closed January 4, 2008

In certain my 2005 through my 2006 bmw vehicles, the occupant classification system (ocs) for the passenger frontal airbag may malfunction and render the passenger airbag inoperative.in june 2006, bmw issued a technical service bulletin (si b 72 02 06) regarding the illumination of the airbag warning light and the passenger airbag status lamp.illumination of these lights warn that an open electrical circuit may be present within the passenger seat mat sensor.when both of the lights are illuminated, the passenger frontal air bag will not deploy in a frontal crash.certain bmw vehicles in addition to the subject vehicles contain the same seat mat sensor.these are the my 2004 5-series, 7-series and x3, the my 2004 through 2006z-4 series and my 2006 3-series, 6-series and x5 vehicles.an improved seat mat sensor was introduced in december 2005 for the mid-my 2006 production.in response to odi's information request letter, bmw provided 1,172 owner reports and 28,238 warranty claims.initial review of the data indicate that 280 non-duplicating owner reports and 13,051 non-duplicating warranty claims may be related the subject defect issue on the subject vehiclesthis preliminary evaluation is being upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea08-001).

PE07045

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 BMW 5 Series 55

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 55 bulletins for the 2005 BMW 5 Series

What 2005 BMW 5 Series owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 28, 2017 · Brakes, Electrical · 80,000 miles · CA · crash

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

Filed Jan 11, 2016 · Electrical · 177,777 miles · OH

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.

Filed Mar 25, 2015 · Airbags, Seat belts · 29,500 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Mar 19, 2015 · Airbags · 71,000 miles · GA

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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 08v384000 (air bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 71,000.

Filed Aug 26, 2014 · Transmission · VA

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.

Filed May 24, 2014 · Airbags · 106,240 miles · UT

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

Filed May 10, 2014 · Airbags, Seats · 72,025 miles · CA

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Jul 19, 2013 · Airbags, Electrical · FL

Same issue as every other 2005 530i owner has had. My battery was low and needed replaced and after a new battery was purchased and installed the fault light came on the I-drive system for the airbag. Bmw dealer refuses to do anything about it as my vehicle is not included in the recall.. I don't understand why when there are numerous complaints on a faulty system why this should not be repaired, obviously they know that the issue is there but do not want to spend the money to fix their issue. So much for the german engineered ultimate driving machine. With all of the technology comes all of the issues it would be nice to see a manufacturer stand behind their car for a change.......if I failed to make a payment they would have surely repossessed it......funny how we cannot get something from them when they fail.

Filed Sep 9, 2012 · Airbags · 65,007 miles · CA

On 12/5/2011 - when I started the car, I noticed the message on my dashboard indicating a fault on passenger restraint system. There was not any incident that I can recall that would result in the error message. After further research, I discovered that the error message was a common fault on these type of cars due to a faulty mat sensor located under the front passenger seat. I also found out that there was a recall for some bmw cars of the same model (dependent of VIN). My husband immediately called bmw of fremont (northern ca) to inquire about the recall and I was told by the service advisor that he was not aware of such recall. I use this car daily to drop off our kids to school. I honestly think the issue really poses a serious threat on my kids safety since there is a high possibility that the air bags will not deploy in case of an accident. Lastly, I also think that bmw na should fix this issue free of charge since it is becoming to be a common problem to bmw cars (especially the model series that I have). It would be greatly appreciated if you can assist me resolve the issue with bmw na.

Filed Jun 13, 2012 · Airbags · 100,000 miles · IL

While driving with my family over the weekend, I noticed the passenger air bag and seat belt light illuminate on the dash. The idrive stated there was a malfunction in the pass air bag. I took my car to the nearest dealer the next morning after finding that this is an ongoing/ common issue with the 5 series. But what I don't get is why is my vehicles VIN not included?? It's obvious this is a defect with the production of these vehicles so why should myself or any other owner be responsible for this expensive repair? Why are there only certain vehicles included? Then I find out that if I'm in a crash, my passenger will not be protected!! This is not fair to owners and bmw should be held fully responsible. Another thing I don't understand is that I have a recall on the battery cables and that's covered! I read online that certain vehicles depending on the production date (thru 11/2005) are covered under the airbag recall. Well my bmw was manufactured in 11/2004! Again, I don't understand why my VIN isn't covered. Not fair!! Please help.....

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Questions about the 2005 BMW 5 Series

Is the 2005 BMW 5 Series reliable?

Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 2005 BMW 5 Series, 1.4 times a typical 5 Series model year.

What is the 2005 BMW 5 Series year score?

The 2005 BMW 5 Series scores 59 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 5 Series: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 BMW 5 Series?

Airbags, with 10 complaints, typically around 72,025 miles. Next is electrical (4).

How many recalls does the 2005 BMW 5 Series have?

4 recalls, covering electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic and air bags.

Was there a recall on the 2005 BMW 5 Series airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 08V384000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the BMW 5 Series have bad airbags?

The BMW 5 Series model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (36 complaints), 2004 (29 complaints) and 2005 (10 complaints).

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