KnownCarProblems2003 BMW X5 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 99 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 BMW X5, most often about the engine (35% of complaints, typically around 74,000 miles). It is 15th of 27 X5 model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory2 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2003 BMW X5 problems
Engine
35 complaints · 35%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2003 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH there was smoke coming from under the hood and exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was advised that the oil separator was leaking and drained onto the exhaust pipe and engine abnormally, causing the failure.…
Drive one mile one 1 in 22 degree weather BMW 2003 X5 begin to blow thick white smoke from exhaust pipes and engine shut down. There were no indicator lights that warn there was a problem.
Electrical
17 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 108,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, alternator/generator/regulator.
The left rear tail light continues to work intermittently. The 'check brake, check rear light' warning illuminates even after bulbs have been replaced. I have replaced the bulbs numerous times, with the most recent being a few days ago. Yet, the warning message reappeared this evening. The problem is similar to those…
I was driving the vehicle in stop and go traffic, the vehicle lost all power forcing me to come to complete stop in the middle of the highway. This occurred 3 other times in the past 4 months , the other incidents were in the parking lot. The car starts up and runs perfectly before and after. I am concerned about my…
Transmission
16 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 104,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
The temperature was about 5 degrees f. After driving a short distance, there was a large amount of smoke from tailpipes and smoke from engine compartment. Engine oil warning message and ses light illuminated. The engine hesitated and misfired. After stopping, the back of the X5 was covered in oil. The engine…
While driving, I stopped at an intersection. When I started to go, there was a loud grinding noise and the car would not move. I had to get the car pushed out of the intersection. I tried restarting the car and as soon as you put it in gear, you heard the grinding noise. I had it towed to my local mechanic, upon his…
Air bags
15 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 106,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Recallcampaign no.15v-318 : driver side front air bag module for my BMW X5 I received notice that they will change driver side front air bag module in july 2015 but after till date no intimation has been received when they will replace it. Also want to point to notice that my car met with an headon accident with tree…
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The…
Seats
7 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
Driver side seat heater malfunction causing a hole to burn through leather and nearly created fire. When heater is turned on it creates an intense and concentrated heat on seat bolster too hot to touch. Replacement from dealer is over $700 and its been reported on numerous forums that this is a defect.
The contact owns a 2003 BMW X5. The contact stated that there was a abnormal burning odor. The contact then noticed that the driver's side seat heater had malfunctioned and burned a hole through the leather. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.…
Other or unspecified
7 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 130,500 miles.
I purchased a BMW X5 and the fail trans light cam on and the gears are shifting out of control. Almost got my son killed. The check engine light came on and the lights flicker on and off. My son was driving when this happened.
Within 24 hour of purchase of vehicle,itwas smoking when I contact the dealer mad him aware of the car issue now I have found atleast 6recallson 2003 X5 BMW.[VIN] [VIN] recallo3v197000.aswell engine recalls.loss of engine powerjust shut off,severe smoke from back of…
Lights
6 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
The right rear brake light bulb shorts out. Instrument warning for rear brake / tail lights activates. Problem occurs multiple times due to an apparent flaw in the brake light assembly circuit and plastic that forms the split circuit for positive (+) negative (-) connection points to bulb socket leads. To repair - the…
The left rear tail light continues to work intermittently. The 'check brake, check rear light' warning illuminates even after bulbs have been replaced. I have replaced the bulbs numerous times, with the most recent being a few days ago. Yet, the warning message reappeared this evening. The problem is similar to those…
Speed control
5 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 130,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
I purchased a BMW X5 and the fail trans light cam on and the gears are shifting out of control. Almost got my son killed. The check engine light came on and the lights flicker on and off. My son was driving when this happened.
Tl-the contact owns a 2003 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed attempting to engaged the brakes, the vehicle began to accelerate at full speed. The vehicle crashed into a tree. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 BMW X5 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began march 15, 2017. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2000-2002 bmw 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323ci, 325ci, 330ci, m3, 323it, 325it and 325xit vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, m5, 525it and 540it vehicles, and 2001-2003 x5 3.0i, x5 4.4i, and x5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began aug 2016. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: this recall supersedes recall 14v-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: on december 17, 2015 bmw removed the model year 2004 x5 3.0i and 4.4i sports activit
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi sedans, and 325xi and 325i sportswagons, 2002-2006 330ci, 325ci, and m3 convertibles and 325i, 330i, and m3 coupes, 2002-2003 m5, 540i, 525i sedan, and 530i sedans, and 540i and 525i sportswagons, and 2003 x5 3.0i and 4.4i sports activity vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and x5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: A loss of brake fluid, indicated by a warning light in the instrument panel, could occur. This will be accompanied by a reduction in front brake performance. This could lead to a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the distance between the brake line and the steering shaft joint, and if necessary, increase the distance. Owner notification began june 23, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, it is possible that the distance between the brake line and the steering shaft joint is not sufficient. If this occurs, the brake line could come into contact with the joint and eventually suffer damage and corrosion.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 BMW X5
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW X5?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (35 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles); electrical (17 complaints, typically around 108,500 miles); transmission (16 complaints, typically around 104,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 BMW X5 have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 20, 2017 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the BMW X5?
- It is 15th of 27 X5 model years by number of complaints, with 99 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.