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BMW X5 Reliability Concerns

61 messages,  Last post on Feb 10, 2013 at 1:50 PM

You are in the BMW X3 & X5 Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW X5, SUV

Messages Page 6 of 7

#50 of 61 Re: trans.failsafe error BMW X5 2004 4.4 [cartrouble13] by 2005_x5_44

Sep 06, 2010 (8:01 am)

Replying to: cartrouble13 (Jun 10, 2010 5:40 am)
I had the trans failsafe message appear before. Shutdown and restart cleared it. That was over a year ago. Recently it started doing it more frequently. I read a thread about the alternator/regulator causing a similar problem so I hooked up a scan guage to the OBD port that displays voltage. It read 10.9-11.4 volts while driving. That seemed low. I hooked a regular volt meter to the battery post under hood, it read 13.5 volts with engine running and 12 with engine off. That seemed right. I rechecked the guage connected to the OBD again and it now read 13.4 volts with engine running. That is a definate inconsistency which needs further investigation. Also, I've had an intermittent problem with trans initiating a shift or a disengage then re-engage( can't determine which because it doesn't complete a shift and it happens very quickly, like a hiccup). This happens around 30-40 mph when the automatic trans is in 5th gear. The last time the trans failsafe message appeared, it would not restart. It acted like a dead battery. A few minutes later it started, but the clock lost its program. The service engine light came on, but the car ran great and no more transmission hiccup. I checked code, it was P1890 trans control. I think the symtoms are related. A year ago, dealer had told me the hiccup problem was the trans valve body. They said $5500. I don't believe them. I will post results after looking into regulator and connections.

#51 of 61 Re: Battery problems [steubenville] by chansen194

Dec 12, 2010 (6:02 pm)

Replying to: steubenville (Jan 21, 2010 1:33 pm)
Hi I am having similar problems with my 04 X5 its going to the dealer on tues. Did you get your issue solved?

#53 of 61 Re: Battery problems [chansen194] by 2005_x5_44

Dec 12, 2010 (7:48 pm)

Replying to: chansen194 (Dec 12, 2010 6:02 pm)

#54 of 61 Re: Battery problems [chansen194] by cartrouble13

Dec 13, 2010 (5:33 pm)

Replying to: chansen194 (Dec 12, 2010 6:02 pm)
Yes - no recurrence in over a year since the alternator was changed

#55 of 61 Terrible Build Quality by franklin433

Dec 27, 2010 (5:08 pm)

My '07 X5 is my 5th BMW. The other 4, including my current '02 330 CI that I also bought new, were great. This X5 drives wonderfully, but the build quality is lousy. It has 64,000 miles on it, has been maintained by the dealer to schedule, but has cost me $5,600 in "unusal" expenses over the past six months. Now the radio must be replaced ($1,600). Fuel system problems, body hardware breakdowns, windshield wiper motor issues, etc. All problems I've never before had on any car. Has anyone else experienced such concerning build quality issues?

#56 of 61 Re: Ultimate piece of S...T! [ih8bmw] by franklin433

Dec 27, 2010 (6:53 pm)

Replying to: ih8bmw (Sep 04, 2010 9:33 am)
I couldn't agree with you more. BMW used to be a quality vehicle; no more. Quality sucks!

#57 of 61 Poor Engineering, Poor Planning by wasbmwthinking

Jan 01, 2011 (1:16 am)

I bought a new 2010 X5 in 2010. The All Wheel Drive system died (about 5 warning lights came on) while I was on vacation 1100 miles from home. I went to the local BMW Dealership and they stated that the problem was a fault with the computer's program. I waited at the local BMW Dealer for them to reprogram the cars computers for 5 hours and the reprogramming crashed (right at the end, of course). The Dealer Rep stated that "this happens... frequently" and said that they will try again over night. The second attempt was successful; however, during the driving test, the problem came back. Additional diagnostics shown that the computer program was not the problem, the problem was a computer module that failed. (Why did they not test the computer modules first?). When the Dealer went to order the replacement computer module.... Guess what.... that computer module is only available from Germany and it has a two-week delivery time!
 
The Dealers response was for me to drive the car home ... without ABS, Anti-Swerve Control, the Parking Break controls, and Cruse Control. I was forced to drive home 1100 miles with a faulty car because I had to return to work.
 
First, why does it take about 5 hours to reprogram the car's computer? Why does it frequently crash while reprogramming (input from the Dealer Rep and other costumers in the waiting room at the Dealer)? I can download a HD movie in about 30 to 40 minutes (about 5Gig) on line to my computer, without crashing.
 
This was the second time that I experienced delays because of Dealer programming problems. Months before, my local Dealer had to keep my car over night because of a routine computer program update that had problems (it had crashed during multiple programming attempts)!
 
Second, the replacement part is not kept in stock in the USA! It is so great to spend nearly $70,000 for a car that was built in the USA, sold in the USA, and the repair parts are kept in Germany!
 
In my opinion, an Engineer and a bean counter at BMW needs to be demoted or FIRED! Get an Engineer that knows how to expedite the reprogramming sequence, and get a fully stocked warehouse of replacement parts in the USA for USA BMW Cars!

#59 of 61 Re: How reliable is an old X5 - worth buying? [oldbee] by bmwe53drvr

Aug 10, 2011 (2:53 pm)

Replying to: oldbee (May 24, 2007 9:16 pm)
I am org owner of 2001 X5 3.0 w/180k I have all options except Nav. Mine has been great though I have had to replace a transmission at end of 10' at a cost of almost 10K. I have recently had some sensors that have been replaced to keep it running efficiently. I had some carbon deposits on spark plugs and had them replaced. Dealership recommends BG 44K http://www.bgprod.com/products/fuelair.html
 
HOPE THIS HELPS">link title

Messages Page 6 of 7

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