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2005 BMW 7 Series: common problems and reliability
· E65One of the weaker 7 Series years.
49 owner complaints, most about air bags. 1 recall.
Should I buy a 2005 7 Series?The 2005 BMW 7 Series has 49 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and electrical system. Owners most often flag electrical problems.
Safety record for the 2005 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2005 BMW 7 Series vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other 7 Series years only. How we score it
Is 2005 a good year for the 7 Series?
Across the 30 7 Series model years we track, complaint volume runs from 4 (2022) to 317 (2006). With 49 complaints, the 2005 7 Series sits above the model's median of 35.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2005 7 Series
service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Campaign 10V446000BMW 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.
What owners report on the E65 7 Series
Owner sentiment for the 2001-2008 E65 7 Series is overwhelmingly negative, with the dominant theme being that these cars are financially ruinous to own.
- Very frequentElectrical problems
- Very frequentEngine problems (general)
- RecurrentCooling system issues
- RecurrentOil leaks
- RecurrentValve stem seal failure
Owner insights for the E65 7 Series. Read the full E65 owner report.
Other 7 Series model years
Compare every 7 Series year side by side to see how 2005 ranks against the rest.
Compare the 7 Series against its rivals
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