2005 BMW X5: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Dec 27, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · WA · fire · 1 injury

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.

Filed Jul 11, 2018 · 160,000 miles · FL · fire

As my car sat in my driveway (with no key in the ignition), it burst into flames, spreading to nearby trees and bushes, and cracking several windows in my house. The fire department put it out before it could burn the house down and I managed to escape the home without injury.

Filed Jan 16, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 83,500 miles · TN

On 1/6/14 I went outside and started up vehicle and let it warm up for a bit and then I drove about 2miles and car was acting funny as I drove it. It didn't want to go so I gave it some gas and RPM's revved up but odometer was moving up and down all crazy. I left vehicle cranked as I went into store and drove it back home. Didn't want to turn it off in case it didn't start back up. On 1/8/14 I went out and cranked car to warm up for a minute and then put car into drive and heard a loud pop. I then put car back into park. Car acted as if it didn't want to stay started so I gave it some gas and then a bunch of smoke came out from exhaust pipes. Turned car off and let all smoke clear and tried to restart car but it wouldn't turn over. Had car towed to import specialty and 2 days later they informed me this is a common issue with make & model that the diaphragm bust and the tcc valve breaks and throws oil everywhere. Thank goodness I bought a extended warranty that covers power train but not this issue $1,725.00 on the low side to just clean oil out and then we will be able to look further into car to see if engine is salvageable or not. I am in a rental car paying for that, repairs to start are just $1.725.00 plus.... Car payment. We don't know if warranty will cover this after they find out what happened per mgr at import specialty. I have called bmw nashville for goodwill assistance because of year of car per [xxx] they can't help. This is a know issue with this car and bmw needs to reimburse consumers who have had to shell out monies to fix this issue and other repairs because of this issue. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 26, 2013 · Electrical · 131,940 miles · TN · fire

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!

Filed Aug 8, 2012 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · MA · fire

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.

Filed Dec 30, 2010 · Electrical · 45,280 miles · WI

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.

Filed Mar 6, 2010 · Seats · 54,000 miles · NY

2005 bmw x5 - passenger seat heater heated up excessively to the point of burning a hole through the back of seat. Noticed a burning smell of leather and then discovered hole burned through. Passenger also felt excessive heat on back by left shoulder. Reported this to bmw and they made no offer to fix. Cost to repair this is $1750.00. The concern I have is when I resell this car to someone else if not fixed could cause a fire in the future.