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2004 Bmw X5 Lights Problems

7 owner-reported lights complaints from NHTSA data

7
Complaints
1
Fires
Jan 2008Oct 2011
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (7)

criticalEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Apr 2017

The protective insulation covering wires in your lighting system has deteriorated and is flaking off, exposing bare copper wires that are short-circuiting and causing your headlights to stop working. This deterioration affects 5 separate lighting components and creates a potential fire hazard since bare wires can overheat. The fix will likely involve replacing the damaged wiring harness and possibly the affected lighting components.

NHTSA #: 10971460
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Oct 2011

THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES (BRAKE LIGHTS AND RUNNING LIGHTS) HAS FAILED ON THIS VEHICLE THREE TIMES( THE LEFT ASSEMBLY AND ONCE ON THE RIGHT). ALL FAILURES WERE DUE TO CORROSION (VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT). THE LEFT ASSEMBLY FAILED IN NOVEMBER 2006 (AT APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MILES) AND AGAIN IN MARCH 2011 (AT APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MILES). THE RIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED IN FEBRUARY 2009 (AT APPROXIMATELY 68,000 MILES). THESE FAILURES ARE NOT LIGHT BULBS THAT BURNT OUT BUT COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE HOUSING THAT HOLDS THE LIGHT BULBS. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. WHEN THE DASHBOARD MESSAGE INDICATES "CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS" OR "CHECK REAR LIGHTS" AND I DO THE LIGHTS APPEAR TO WORK FINE (ALL LIGHTS ON WHEN SWITCHED ON OR WHEN BRAKES APPLIED). MESSAGE GOES OFF AND MAY STAY OFF FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND THEN RETURNS AND LIGHTS UP WITH EVERY APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. THERE ARE SEVERAL SIMILAR CARS IN USE AND ALL OF THEM HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10433716
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Sep 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA #: 10425743
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Sep 2011

THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE INTERMITTENTLY INOPERABLE. CHANGED BULBS WITH SAME RESULTS. APPEARS TO BE CORRODED AND/OR BURNED CONTACTS ON THE LAMP ASSEMBLY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10424025
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
FireFiled: Jan 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. SHE STATED THAT THE PASSENGER TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT BURNED CONNECTORS CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATELY TWO DAYS LATER THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT. AS OF JANUARY 29, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA #: 10216437
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Oct 2004

MY WIFE STARTED THE CAR AND THE HEADLIGHTS AND HAZARD LIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING AND TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK. SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR MULTIPLE TIMES WITH SAME EFFECT. DROVE CAR TO BMW DEALER. DEALER TECHNICIAN SAW SAME RESULTS. HE DISCONNECTED BATTERY, RESTARTED CAR, REBOOTING THE I-DRIVE COMPUTER, AND COULD NOT RECREATE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA #: 10095682
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Apr 2004

I WANT YOU TO KNOW I STRONGLY OBJECT TO THE NEW HIGH INTENSITY HEADLIGHTS AND TO VEHICLES WITH FOUR HEADLIGHTS. IT'S HARD ENOUGH TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITHOUT ALL THE ADDITIONAL LIGHT POLUTION! *AK

NHTSA #: 10065860

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