Noisy Tailgate (and other problems)!
 

I have an '07 3.0si with 19K miles on it now. I had the tailgate latch problem and the dealer replaced the latch. The noise is slightly less but defininatly still there! This car is making me crazy! I'm trying so hard to like it and feel good about my purchase. Unlike many of you, I drive a car for much longer than average. My last car, a 2000 528i, I drove almost 8 years! The only time that car saw a dealer was for oil service and brakes! My son drives it now, it looks and runs like brand new!
This X5 on the other hand, has been to the dealer more times in the first 6 months than the 528 has ever been in 8 years!

Besides the tailgate noise, the rear entertainment DVD was replaced because it was "sticking", now the speakers buzz if you play DVD sound through them! Suspension parts replaced for excessive noise and banging sounds, the plastic on the steering wheel is starting to peel. The door panels have been removed and "realigned". Just a bunch of things. All the while, I REALLY want to like this car!!

My apologies for the rant! The question I intended to ask is if anyone knows a fix for the noisy tailgate. If your sitting in the backseat it sounds like the tailgate is not closed all the way, just squeaks and rattles!! Should I take it back to the dealer or is there a DIY fix?
Thanks so much!

i have the rattle as well. will have to bring it to the dealer so they can fix it.

I wasn't sure where in the tailgate it's coming from but I'll go take a look at the latch and see if that's the problem.

I think a lot of us experience the tailgate rattle. it's really a shame for a BMW

I have a rattle back there also. Still haven't figured out exactly what it is, been there since day 1. Strange rattle because it happens more on turns then on bumps. Sounds like the tailgate, but still trying to figure it out.

Sounds like 1st-model-year problems unfortunately. Parts don't fit quite right and electronics acting up a bit. I've kept from openly saying this but I warn of anyone buying 07s used unless thoroughly tested.

So are you saying that the '08's have no issues ?

^ am I saying the 06's don't either?

Of course not. I'm saying what should be apparent - and why people tend to stay away from first-year-runs. And 08s have been a lot less problematic because the company learns from issues/mistakes... they adjust factory settings, parts re-done, firmware released, etc.

But this doesn't solve the OP's issues which is why I don't just blurt this out in every single '07 thread. People need to consider these things though.

Yes, I too thought about the first-year-run. But... the car had been driven by the dealer GM, 5K miles on it and every conceivable option except rear heated seats! Given the lack of problems for 8 years on a previous BMW, I just sort of assumed.... It was too good a deal to pass...or was it??!!

i don't mind having the 07 but if i had a choice, maybe i would've opted for an 08 without these relatively unimportant yet annoying problems. If the 08's have the same rattling problems, etc then I definitely would still go with the 07 and have the car a year earlier.

I have the 08 X5. I'm also having a little sound coming from the back, especially when I'm turning in low speed, and sometimes when going over bumps. I thought it was coming from the suspension, but didn't think it was coming from the tailgate. I don't have an automatic tailgate though. I was also observing the problem so I could report it to the dealer. You've gotta be really quiet to hear it though.

My 07' was a total lemon (literally!). While the 08' is better, it is still the most problematic car (besides an 06' Range Rover) that I have ever owned in my 20+ new cars. I always hear people saying that my old 5er, or old 3er was the most problem free car ever, while I never hear that my 07' or 08' E70 is totally problem free. :dunno:

My '08 E70 is totally problem free. :D Not one rattle, weird computer bug, or faulty mechanics, knock on wood. And I've driven it over 16,000 miles in the last 7 months.

Luckily, I haven't had any real mechanical or computer problems, just the quality and fit. I drove MBZ for years as did most of my family and we all loved them. Built like a tank and ran forever, that is until a certain 1993 S class I bought new with numerous mechanical problems and when you would shut the doors the wood trim with the window switches in it would fall off and hang by the wires and a 1998 ML320 that I had on a 4 year lease! At the end of that lease I totaled up all the receipts for non-covered repairs and got a total of $6,200.00, for 4 years?!! The MBZ quality was gone and that was the last one for me. Now I fear BMW is going the same way if the X5 is any indication! Honestly, I'm not a difficult person, I just want the darn doors to shut properly and the materials to last more than a year!

Well knock on wood....7000 miles and no problems. Haven't needed to take it back to the dealer which is good as I am 240 miles away. Had the same good fortune with a 2001 e53 4.4 and a 2004 e53 4.4. I swore I would not buy a 70 because of the electronics, idrive, run flats etc. Well I did and can't say I like all the electronics, but I did get a dip stick, and was saved by the run flats already, :D . No complaints here.

;) That's really good to hear. I wish there were posts with 2 pages of members saying they have Never! had a problem with their E70.

My 2005 M3 and all 3 2004 X5s were flawless!!

so far, my X5 has been problem free. But, only 3,500 miles to date.

12 months on... no issues with my car .. touch wood... I have resolved some squeaks and rattles myself via trim removal and padding.. even replaced lower tailgate trim from beige to black (!)...Had it in once to get a software update (to get dual camera and PDC screen !!) .. and an oil change at 1000km that i asked for... about to book it in for 12 months service (not due yet) for a minor checkup and also to report two reboots of idrive system for no apparent reason !!!:thumbup:

I have 20000 miles on my 07 with only one complaint - wind noise.

Expecting my 08 to be just as good.

Hope BMW won't become just another American made car.

2 reboots of idrive for no reason, and having to remove trim to fix squeaks and rattles on a very, expensive luxury car is not "No issues". Sorry.

I mean really "No issues". My 2005 M3, all our 2004 X5s and I even had a 1999 C280 MBZ, that had not one issue...literally never saw the service Dept. besides from a maintenance schedule. Never a "while the car is being serviced, can you..... Never!

Lucky you. Mine has to go in to have the front wheel bearing pack replaced, and it is an 08 with 9000 miles on it.
It has been quite disappoinging really.

I am afraid that is what it seems to be turning into.

same here as of last week with 5200kms on it , but till now i thought it was the rear privacy cover that was making the noise :confused: Other than that no problems (yet?)

I have had so many problems with rattles, noises and various of the electronic systems failing (steering column position memory, auto wipers going mad in light rain, gear lever failure etc) that I wish New Zealand had a “Lemon Law” like the US. I have final given up and am trading the E70 for a 650iSE, this X5 is the first US built BMW that I have owned (I have had 12 German built) I think there is a vast difference in build quality and QA.

I also had the tailgate noise issue. It sounded like the tailgate was not properly latch when going over even a minor bump, after several visits to the dealer they eventually found that a large retaining clip for the internal harness (in top of tailgate) had not been clipped in place and rather than holding the harness in place was adding to the problem by banging against the internal metal structure of the tailgate.

Good luck with remaining E70 owners…….I hope not to be one soon !

Mine did the same thing when I picked it up. Dealer is supposedly ordering a replacement. We'll see if that fixes it.

Three parking brake failures (now fixed with new software), replaced windshield fluid tank, and now steering wheel makes a groan when telescoping and the driver's headrest will go up, but not down. Also the rattle in the rear area, which is especially noisy on cold mornings. I had a Honda Pilot I traded for the X5 and it didn't have a squeak in four years. I love the X5, but jeeze, the problems don't seem to end.

Oh, the "American made" remark, in my opinion, is just pompous talk. The Pilot was made in the U.S. as well as my previous Subaru. Both excellent. I think it's more poor design work in Germany (aluminium hood and plastic fenders to reduce weight, parking brake "oh shit" tool in the trunk anticipating failure, as well as the tool to retract the sunroof in the event of failure).

My 08 X5 is problem free so far. The mileage is 1200. :p:

Rufusdedog, I had not intended my remark about "American made" to sound pompous, it was based on the FACT that most of the current issues with BMW models with regard to QA issues are related to those X & Z models produced in North Carolina, it was not intended a slur on the US but just the way I see it. I am from New Zealand and we do not make any vehicles so I have no axe to grind, I have owned 14 BMW's over the last 20+ years and this is the first with basic QA issues. I also agree that the design is at fault with a good deal of the issues but that does not excuse the vehicle leaving the factory with its parts NOT correctly installed, that is a QA issue ! Regardless of whos fault it is this E70 is a DOG and at a cost here in NZ of US$136K it should not happen....

It is a crying shame that my faith in BMW has been so tarnished as I have had a great relationship in the past with the marque. This is the ONLY vehicle that I have regretted purchasing and despite my patients over the last 16 months and all the efforts of my local dealer I am still putting up with a vehicle that is in my humble opinion NOT FIT TO BARE THE BMW ROUNDEL.

:( :( :( :bawling: :bawling: :bawling:

Tony what year is your E70?

The thing that kills me about the tailgate is BMW screwed it up in the E53, you would have thought they would have fixed it in the E70.

My 08 has some random tailgate clunks, nothing serious, but still silly. I'll get it looked at when I get my oil changed.

It is a crying shame that my faith in BMW has been so tarnished as I have had a great relationship in the past with the marque.

I feel for you, but if you check other BMW forums for other vehicles, you'll hear the same lament. It's not where it's built. This is a "world car", i.e. parts from Mexico, U.S., Germany - heck, the vaunted engine that gets complaints because of ticking comes from Austria. Boeing and Airbus are having the same problems with their "world" aircraft - If you saw the Discovery Channel special regarding the A380 where the German wings wouldn't fit the French fuselage, I'm sure you'd get the idea. I'm not defending U.S. manufacturing, although I've been to the BMW factory 3 times, most recently in September for Roadsterfest with my Z3. I'm just pointing out that globalization in the industry is bringing parts from China, Mexico, heck, my OEM mats are made in Yugoslavia, to a factory for assembly and things don't fit. This is the manufacturer making a bigger profit by buying parts from the lowest bidder in the far corners of the world. Guess what? It's only going to get worse.

It was purchased June 07 and was one of the first batch into NZ so I guess that it must have been amongst the first right hand drive. Perhaps that is the problem, DO NOT BUY a new model until they have resolved the BUGS, my mistake...live and learn.

I think your comments are valid but having looked at and driven the new one series coupe (newest model in NZ) it does appear to be put together way better than my X5, but given that others on the forum have cars without problem it may be that this time round I was just unlucky ! Anyway the E70 will soon be gone (I hope) I just need to confirm what to get next, I have always liked the 7 (have owned 9) but the current Bangle Butt is just way UGLY, same problem but less in the 650, the new 7 is due later this year but that would have the issue of buying a new UNTESTED model again, I have learned by that mistake.... maybe I will change to Merc and buy the new CL500 but I am having problems with shaking the love affair with BMW despite not "loving" any of the current range. I am in the camp that thinks Chris Bangle did us BMW lovers great harm.

Good luck to all that still have problematic E70's.......:(

I had the same problem with my 2006 x5. After 3-5 trips to the stealear and multiple parts replacement including the latch itself which after it was replaced it became so hard to latch and makes a grinding nois when latching. The stealer found out the nois is coming from the spare tier area. The spare's lock down nut was loos a bit and evrything was rattling in the trunk.... Check every part in your trunk before touching the latch. Good luck.

I had a problem with the tailgate the day I was picking up the e70, the tailgate was not properly latching, turned out to be that the keys had to be reprogrammed. The tailgate is also soft close, so I try to let the automatic latching mechanism do its work, I drop the gate softly onto the latch. I think when you bang it hard you have the issue of breaking the soft close mechanism as well as the gate bounces back. Just my 2cents

Yes, it's the one complaint that I have (and will have service department look at when I take car in for its first oil change). I agree that it happens more on turns. If I had to guess, it seems like the tailgate frame is not rigid enough (if that makes sense) and the tailgate is twisting and creaking ever so slightly. :dunno:

Unfortunately, I am not optimistic that this is a problem that the service department will be able to solve :(

noisy tailgate--my solution
 

i went months trying to troubleshoot this knocking (especially when making slow turns) in the UK where i purchased my 2003 model and when i brought it home to the US.

i finally got it solved at a local dealer. after driving a mechanic around the neighborhood near the dealer, he zeroed right in on the problem. i had to adjust the two rubber stoppers (feet?) that attached to the body and cushion the closing of the upper portion of the rear hatch. they "mate" against rubber cushions that are attached to the upper hatch and cushion (or in this case interfere) with the closing of the upper hatch to the body.

if you are standing at the rear of the vehicle with the upper hatch raised and tailgate up, look along the outside edge of the hatch opening just above the tailgate's top edge, you'll see a rubber stopper. i think there's a torx bolt in the middle of the rubber stopper. i put a mark at the 12 o'clock position on the rubber part, backed the torx bolt out, turned the rubber stopper one way or the other, did the same on the other side, and checked for the knock on slow turns. i think i had to make a few attempts to find the right adjustment, but the slow turn knock/clunking sound has gone away.

DMO Didn't you go to trade it for a Lexus? What happened? I've decided to buy another BMW because my former 2004 325i never had any issues for 4 and half years. My X5 is 4 months old now and it is free of issues and actually feels more solid than the 325i. Each car is different and like RH71 said the first year of production is certainly the one with the largest amount of issues. If I were you, I would bring it back to the dealer and demand them to fix it. If they do not fix it, call BMW and/or hire a lawyer. Good luck.

Hi,

this is my first message in the forum. (from Aus)
got my 08, Aug E70 (4.8).
Heard a strange noise coming from the back like autoque said, i thought it must have been from the suspension. tried almost everything, finally opened the tailgate slightly, put some foam (where the upper tailgate meets the latch), and the noise is gone. so the upper tailgate is touching something, cannot figure out what. If I adjust the striker post all the way out, the noise is reduced verymuch, but not eliminated. I adjusted the striker post as an experiment only. if I put foams on the rubber stoppers the noise still exists.
taking it to the dealer on tueday.

Hi Grey, welcome to the forum, I hope you don't have as many issues as I have had. Please keep us updated with your progress.

take a look at my post:

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e70-forum/...oying+tailgate

Thanks y5choi, actually i read your solution and tried that too.
still exists. its a "knock" "knock" sound rather than squeeks. I will let you guys know what the dealer says tommorow.

Mine is not really squeaks either. I actually had the dealer take a took at this two weeks ago. They claim that they "... found tailgate rattling slightly over bumps while making a turn." "Adjusted striker for upper tailgate and noise went away." Only problem is that I think the noise is still there :(

Dealer said, when I have time, that I can go and work with the shop foreman to resolve this. This is going to be tough one to solve... :banghead:

Hi again,
i took it to the dealer this morning as per schedule. he nailed it on the spot (i was lucky i guess). originally it took me half a tank of fuel and many weeks to narrow down where the noise came from.
They had to adjust the lower tailgate hinges more inward. There was a play on the left hinge.
see imagehttp://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/970a30b821.jpg