2005 BMW 5-Series BMW 5-Series 2005

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2005 BMW 5-Series repairs by problem area

Engine (43%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (12%)

Brakes and Traction Control (3%)

Suspension and Steering (14%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (23%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (4%)

Other (1%)

Chart based on 136 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2005 BMW 5-Series.

2005 BMW 5-Series repair cost distribution

$2500+ (8%)

$1000 - $2499 (16%)

$500 - $999 (13%)

$100 - $499 (33%)

< $100 (29%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 106 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2005 BMW 5-Series

Engine not specified

BMW 5-Series in Ohio, United States
Nov 2010 - Aug 2011
Feb 2011

92000 mi

US $250
crack in coolant overflow reservoir 
Apr 2011

95000 mi

US $250
Secondary air intake needs to be cleaned which requires removing head. Estimate 5 days and $5500, debating repair now 

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2005 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan

325-horsepower 4.4L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

BMW 5-Series in Ohio, United States
Jul 2008 - Jul 2010
Oct 2008

69000 mi

US $50
"Mechatronic" unit in automatic transmission 
Nov 2008

69000 mi
Continued transmission malfunction 
Dec 2008

69000 mi
Continued shifting problems even after Mechatronic unit was replaced; entire transmission was replaced this time. 
Jan 2009

70000 mi
Vacuum leak. 
Nov 2009

83000 mi
Replacement of water pump 
BMW 5-Series in Ontario, Canada
Jul 2010 - Jun 2011
Aug 2010

63860 mi

C $150
Transmission takes a second or two to shift gears while driving and getting into gear when parked. This never happened before. 
BMW 5-Series in Louisiana, United States
May 2011 - Dec 2012
Sep 2011

97000 mi

US $345
coolant system supply hose assembly leak, replaced hose. refilled coolant 
May 2012

100300 mi

US $2400
coolant tube between engine's piston banks. typical problem for 2004-05 v-8s 
BMW 5-Series in Virginia, United States
Jul 2014 - Jun 2018
Sep 2014

93000 mi

US $7000
valve stem seals leaking. oil ports clogged car communication computer failed, had sporadic outages earlier 
Mar 2018

100000 mi

US $20
Replaced windshield washer motor 
BMW 5-Series in South Carolina, United States
Sep 2014 - Mar 2015
Dec 2014

135000 mi

US $2500
replaced alternator replaced intake manifold transmission leak no heat, burr!! 
BMW 5-Series in California, United States
Jan 2009 - Apr 2012
Dec 2009

70000 mi

US $50
Replaced 2 broken transmission mounts and one broken motor mount. replaced air bag seat mat. 
Aug 2011

90000 mi

US $1015
Vacuum booster was leaking, brake pedal needed excessive pressure to stop at low speeds. Parts $633, labor $333. 
Oct 2011

91500 mi

US $585
Replaced vacuum pump. Cost: parts - $434, labor - $117, total - $585. 
Dec 2011

94000 mi

US $1308
Replaced coolant tank, thermostat, and several hoses. Cost: Parts - $330, labor - $978, total - $1,308. 
Jan 2012

94500 mi

US $1121
Replaced transmission sealing sleeve. Cost: Parts - $202, labor - $398, total 600.03. Replaced stablizer bar bushings. Cost: Parts - $184, labor - $337, total - $521. 
Apr 2012

97000 mi
AND, I have three oil leaks: 1. Valve cover, left side of engine, 2. Front cover, right side of engine, 3. Alternator. $1400 estimate to fix. Traded car. 
BMW 5-Series in Virginia, United States
Mar 2009 - Jun 2011
Jul 2010

66000 mi

US $2500
Brake booster failed 
BMW 5-Series in North Carolina, United States
Aug 2015 - Oct 2016
Nov 2015

130000 mi

US $3000
Battery, Alternator,  spark plugs, gaskets and many other things replaced. 
Aug 2016

133300 mi

US $2000
Coolant leaking everywhere. 
Sep 2016

134000 mi

US $500
Water leaks in roof. 

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2005 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan

325-horsepower 4.4L V8 6-speed manual RWD

BMW 5-Series in California, United States
Jul 2008 - Jun 2022
Feb 2009

28000 mi
Clutch chatter when warm (6 speed manual transmission). 
Dec 2011

49000 mi

US $375
Coolant leaking. Pressure tested system, replaced expansion tank and revealed problem with water pump & tensioner pulley. 
Jan 2012

49000 mi

US $167
Replaced water pump & tension pulley Upper radiator hose failure 
Oct 2012

55000 mi

US $450
Replace vehicle battery 
Nov 2013

63000 mi

US $2600
Valve cover gaskets and vacuum pump gasket leaking oil. 
Jun 2014

64000 mi

US $1600
Check Engine light came on. Auxiliary air pump, pipe and a coolant hose were replaced. 
Apr 2015

68300 mi

US $250
Thermostat replaced 
Jun 2016

74000 mi

US $2500
3 Oil leaks 
Dec 2016

78000 mi

US $90
Dynamic suspension error in iDrive. Windshield washer not working. 
Feb 2017

78000 mi

US $1500
Replace thermostat Replace alternator & battery 
Apr 2017

78000 mi

US $400
Replace cracked coolant reservoir, thermostat sensors. 
Aug 2017

78000 mi

US $100
Replace windshield washer pump. 
Jan 2018

80000 mi

US $100
Upper windshield trim replaced 
Oct 2021

88000 mi

US $5800
Active Steering computer Replace seals valve covers Cooling hose replaced 
BMW 5-Series in Virginia, United States
Sep 2010 - Jun 2012
Dec 2010

63000 mi

US $50
Another trip for loss of coolant, replaced coolant temperature sensor. 
Feb 2011

63800 mi

US $50
Radiator replaced.  
BMW 5-Series in Rhode Island, United States
Jun 2011 - Sep 2017
Feb 2015

173400 mi

US $400
Bad alternator replaced myself cost reflects no labor 
Mar 2015

175000 mi

US $28
Ignition coil on one cylinder replaced 
Apr 2017

200000 mi

US $200
Aga transfer pipe repair - 700 diy 2k dealer terriable engine design Radio no good Water pump replaced along with some hoses 

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2005 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan

325-horsepower 4.4L V8 6-speed automated manual RWD

BMW 5-Series in Idaho, United States
Jan 2014 - Dec 2014
Apr 2014

95500 mi

US $500
Water pump crapped out. Knew it was an issue when I bought the car though and planned on having it repaired. 
BMW 5-Series in Texas, United States
Mar 2011 - May 2011
May 2011

60000 mi
Needing repairs when sold: AC compressor,  oil gasket,  struts, brakes, etc. 
BMW 5-Series in California, United States
Nov 2008 - Jul 2011
Dec 2008

37000 mi
Power steering warning light - Power steering issue addressed. 
Apr 2009

41000 mi

US $170
faulty oxygen sensor led to the 'check engine' light faulty seat weight sensor to be replaced under warranty 
Oct 2010

53000 mi

US $1000
High emissions detection. Found to be sensor related. oil leak found at junction of engine and detector unit during inspection for problem #1. Leaky unit replaced. Unable to establish or reset computer driven checkup notices. Comm problem. Not solved. 
BMW 5-Series in Maryland, United States
Dec 2009 - Sep 2012
Dec 2010

68000 mi

US $1700
worn wiring harness 
Feb 2011

71000 mi

US $1200
Front left angle light failure. Positive battery cable needed to be replaced 
Apr 2011

73000 mi

US $2500
Vacuum pump replaced 
Sep 2011

79000 mi

US $400
Replace expansion tank and hose 
Jun 2012

88000 mi

US $800
Sunroof was realigned and drain tubes were cleard 
BMW 5-Series in Nevada, United States
Nov 2009 - May 2012
Mar 2010

46000 mi

US $1300
Defective fuel pump. Defective right rear passenger window motor. 
Oct 2010

50200 mi

US $250
SES light came on. Screen says "increased emissions". Mechanic replaced two crankcase ventilation valves. 
Nov 2011

57100 mi

US $700
Cooling systems hose leak. 
Mar 2012

60000 mi

US $650
Cylinder head gasket repaired. 
BMW 5-Series in Oklahoma, United States
Feb 2010 - Jun 2011
Mar 2010

64425 mi

US $817
Leaky transmission pan gasket trans pan gasket and fluid replaced Passive restraint fault light reset 

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2005 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan

225-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

BMW 5-Series in Massachusetts, United States
Jul 2008 - Dec 2018
Aug 2008

34000 mi
Battery kept dying and car wouldn't start. they replaced the radio (which is the master computer for the iDrive) and the iPod module. The invoice doesn't show the costs, but I looked up the partnumbers to find MSRP on them and it was about $3000. Same problem, battery kept dying. Replaced battery. MK: battery replacements normally aren't reportable, but this one was probably killed by the audio system. 
Feb 2009

45000 mi
Moonroof rattle. 
Mar 2011

76000 mi
Transmission drip pan leaking, gasket replaced Washer pump would stop working after engine heated up, washer pump replaced. 
Jul 2014

137200 mi
DSC, ABS, TPMS errors on check control, abs sensor wire broken, spliced & fixed, no parts needed 
Mar 2015

141000 mi

US $300
thermostat stuck open (limited heat in cabin) and replaced 
Oct 2016

158500 mi
parking brake adjustment 
Mar 2017

165000 mi
passenger restraint system light came on. cleared light with obd ii tool. 
Mar 2018

175000 mi

US $50
valve cover gasket leaking, replaced 
BMW 5-Series in California, United States
Sep 2015 - Apr 2017
Sep 2015

81000 mi

US $300
washer fluid leaking 
Dec 2016

100000 mi

US $1900
Oil pan gasket leak fixed Driveshaft output seal leak fixed New fluids 
BMW 5-Series in Massachusetts, United States
Feb 2016 - Jun 2017
Jul 2016

119000 mi

US $1
Battery safety terminal (BST) failed and lit the airbag light. I bypassed the BST and replaced it with a resistor. The BST is too sensitive to failure due to potholes. 
Jun 2017

124000 mi

US $160
Starter failed completely after parking the car in the garage. Wouldn't crank. Replaced starter and starter bolts. Had to remove intake manifold to replace starter. 
BMW 5-Series in Maryland, United States
Nov 2017 - Sep 2018
Jan 2018

95500 mi

US $200
Car would crank but not start on cold days. IE less than 20F. Replaced battery no problem on 8F morning. 
BMW 5-Series in New Mexico, United States
Jun 2016 - Apr 2017
Jul 2016

167200 mi

US $130
Hardened valve cover gasket, leaking oil. Leaking oil pan, replaced pan and fluid 
BMW 5-Series in Ohio, United States
Mar 2012 - Apr 2012
Apr 2012

90000 mi

US $150
Faulty. Reset required 
BMW 5-Series in Florida, United States
Jun 2014 - Jun 2018
Jul 2016

108343 mi

US $100
R&R Rubber trim above windshield, strictly cosmetic piece. BMW part. 
Sep 2016

112000 mi

US $65
Replaced ACU controller. ACU automatically controls cabin air recirculation when hydrocarbons are detected outside, along with bad odors, switching system to recirculate for a period of time. 
Feb 2018

117817 mi

US $50
R&R AHL Control Unit. BMW part 6934837. Used part from eBay. Adaptive headlight control unit for adaptive bi-Xenon headlights. 
BMW 5-Series in Texas, United States
Jun 2012 - Jun 2013
Nov 2012

81600 mi

US $640
CCV Valve Replacement 

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2005 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan

225-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD

BMW 5-Series in California, United States
Sep 2012 - May 2015
Apr 2013

97500 mi
Car reported malfuntioning (always open) thermostat, resulting in increased emmisions. 
Jun 2013

100000 mi

US $100
Clutch started slipping at 100K miles. 
Aug 2013

104600 mi
Thermostat replaced. Clutch replaced. 
Jun 2014

125000 mi
Passenger seat airbag mat was replaced under recall/extended warranty. 
Mar 2015

141000 mi
While driving car bogged down and began to run rough. Indie mechanic replaced an ignition coil that failed.  Also discovered that oil level sender was throwing codes. Replaced as well. 
BMW 5-Series in Florida, United States
Mar 2013 - Jan 2014
May 2013

110100 mi

US $700
Motor mounts. Radiator hose. Gasket. 

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2005 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan

225-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed automated manual RWD

BMW 5-Series in Ontario, Canada
May 2011 - Jun 2018
Oct 2011

75795 mi

C $1500
Replace leaky transmission pan and mechatronic sleeve, new transmission oil Replace front tie rod ends, L/R Perform wheel alignment Left rear taillight bulb carrier and connector burned out, Replace bulb carrier + connector/harness Left rear taillight bulb carrier and connector burned out, Replace bulb carrier + connector/harness Replace front tie rod ends, L/R Perform wheel alignment Replace leaky transmission pan and mechatronic sleeve, new transmission oil 
Jun 2012

86800 mi

C $340
Replaced squeaky AC tensioner and Alternator tensioner 
Aug 2012

89600 mi

C $200
Engine valve cover gasket seems to be leaking. Replaced VCG and took advantage to put new plugs in as well. 
Sep 2012

93000 mi

C $420
Worn lower control arm bushing. Had to replace the entire control arm assembly. 
Dec 2012

96720 mi

C $250
Inner tied rod end was found with play. Replaced. Rear control arm bushing worn. 
May 2013

101140 mi

C $550
Replaced leaky front struts. Struts were still working fine but replaced as a preventive approach 
Jul 2013

102400 mi

C $500
Replaced left and right ball joints - Minor play 
Jan 2014

99720 mi

C $250
faulty thermostat and deteriorating water pump 
Apr 2014

115400 mi

C $350
Tie rod end has play. Left front control arm worn 
Oct 2014

128300 mi

C $700
Right front lower control arm bushing is worn. Replaced component. Also replaced Left lower control arm at the same time. 
Feb 2016

163660 mi

C $2500
Had transmission fault. Diagnosis came back to be worn bushings and other parts in transmission causing gears to slip. Rebuilt and ran like a brand new car after. 
Mar 2016

166160 mi

C $550
Wheel bearing noise on one side. Decided to replace both as the other side will eventually fail. 
Apr 2016

167260 mi

C $1200
Left front strut started leaking. Decided to replace both left and right as well as strut mounts 
Sep 2016

178560 mi

C $360
Rear right spring broke and was making clunking noise when going over bumps or pot hole. Replaced both left and right springs 
Jan 2017

164760 mi

C $200
Air valve connected to secondary air pump seized and need to be replaced 
Jun 2018

217000 mi

C $200
Corroded water pump 

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2005 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan

184-horsepower 2.5L I6 6-speed manual RWD

BMW 5-Series in South Carolina, United States
Aug 2017 - Oct 2017
Apr 2017

152000 mi

US $60
Steering wheel would shake upon decent speeds while cornering towards the right. 

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2005 BMW 5-Series 4-door

turbocharged 6-cylinder diesel manual 2WD

BMW 5-Series in Ireland
Sep 2010 - Jun 2011
Oct 2010

63860 mi
I noticed oil on driveway.Took car to dealer who replaced fuel pump after diesel had leaked into it.I think they reckoned it was the inlet manifold gasket that was faulty. 

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2005 BMW 5-Series 4-door

turbocharged 6-cylinder diesel automatic 2WD

BMW 5-Series in New Zealand
Feb 2016 - May 2017
May 2017

110360 mi

$1500
Central interface not working. Turned out to be the MPM/micro power module control unit /water damage 

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2005 BMW 5-Series Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2005 BMW 5-Series problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.