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2003 BMW X5

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 BMW X5 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 100.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

77 reports with mileage · 22 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports13 fire reports3 injury reports

Engine complaints

11 reports
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180,000 miles · Dec 18, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

THE CAR STARTED LOSING POWER WHILE ON THE ROAD. IT GOT SLOWER AND SLOWER, TILL IT FINALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT HAD TO BE TOWED THE REST OF THE WAY TO THE HOUSE. THE ENGINE WOULD START UP, BUT IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE ANY OF THE GEARS.

NHTSA ODI #11384008

130,500 miles · Aug 25, 2020
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

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.

NHTSA ODI #11351088

180,000 miles · Dec 26, 2019
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN HE OPENED THE HOOD, HE NOTICED FLAMES AROUND THE MOTOR. THE CONTACT QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF DALLAS (6200 LEMMON AVE, DALLAS, TX 7…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN HE OPENED THE HOOD, HE NOTICED FLAMES AROUND THE MOTOR. THE CONTACT QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF DALLAS (6200 LEMMON AVE, DALLAS, TX 75209, (972) 763-5528) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #11291245

130,222 miles · Apr 11, 2018
Air BagsEngineUnknown Or Other

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.RECALL15V318000 RECALL17V047000 RECALLO3V197000.ASWELL ENGINE RECALLS.LOSS OF ENGINE POWERJUST SHUT OFF,SEVERE SMOKE FROM BACK OF VEHICLE.(FILE:///C:/USERS/OWNER/PICTURES/BM…

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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.RECALL15V318000 RECALL17V047000 RECALLO3V197000.ASWELL ENGINE RECALLS.LOSS OF ENGINE POWERJUST SHUT OFF,SEVERE SMOKE FROM BACK OF VEHICLE.(FILE:///C:/USERS/OWNER/PICTURES/BMW_NEW.PDF) .CAME TO COMPLETE STOP,WHENI FIRST BROUGHT CONCERN TO THE DEALER FROM THE CAR PLACE.IT WAS WITHIN 24 HOURS,THE SELLER CONTACTED ME AND SAID HE HAD A RELIABLE CAR AND I END UP WITH 2003 BMW WITH AT LEAST 8 RECALLS (HTTP://UKCAR.REVIEWS/BMW-X5-E53-LCI-2003-PROBLEMS-RECALLS/).I PURCHASE THE CAR 1-4-18..I CALL THE DEALER ABOUT MY CONCERNS,1-5-18.THE CAR WAS PURCHASE FROM MONETARY CALIFORNIA,I SENT SOME TO PICK THE CAR UP AND THE LOCATION WAS AT MONETARY VALLEY FORD. HIS PHONE NUMBER IS 9519658614. ALSO I PAID 3600 DOLLARS CASH FOR THE CAR AND THE DEALER PUT 2500 ON A DOCUMENT HE GAVE ME .I NOTICE IT AFTER I REGISTER THE BMW.AS WELL THIS DEALER IS IN VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW CODE

NHTSA ODI #11084493

95,000 miles · Sep 7, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemStructureFire

DRIVING SLOWLY DOWN STREET, SAW SMOKE COMING FROM FRONT RIGHT UNDER HOOD, PULED OVER TO SIDE, FLAMES VISIBLE COMING FROM HOOD, WITHIN 15 MINUTES, ENTIRE FRONT ON FIRE, FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME WITHIN 5-10 MINUTES, MAJOR FIRE, TOTAL LOSS. ALL THIS TOOK ABOUT 30 MINUTES. FORTUNATELY, NO INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI #11022057

100,000 miles · Apr 15, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS THE SMELL OF PLASTIC BURNING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. MOMENTS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS THE SMELL OF PLASTIC BURNING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. MOMENTS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS BURNED DOWN TO THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10705895

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED, I HAVE HAD IT FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS (STEERING COLUMN, WINDOW REGULATORS, ENGINE, AND COOLANT LEAKAGE). I SEE WHERE THESE ISSUES SEEM TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT AM HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING THE RECALL WORK DONE. I CAN'S AFFORD TO SPEND A LOT ON THIS CAR, …

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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED, I HAVE HAD IT FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS (STEERING COLUMN, WINDOW REGULATORS, ENGINE, AND COOLANT LEAKAGE). I SEE WHERE THESE ISSUES SEEM TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT AM HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING THE RECALL WORK DONE. I CAN'S AFFORD TO SPEND A LOT ON THIS CAR, BUT I FEEL LIKE I MAY HAVE MORE THAN I BARGAINED FOR. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY IS NOT PAYING FOR MUCH !!! HELP *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659101

101,680 miles · Jan 25, 2014
EnginePower Train

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 COMPARTMENT WAS COV…

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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 COMPARTMENT WAS COVERED IN OIL AND OIL COATED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE X5 HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INDICATED THE CCV WAS FROZEN AND IT WAS COMMON IN THESE CARS. WHEN THE CCV FREEZES, IT CAN SUCK THE OIL FROM THE OIL SUMP THROUGH THE CCV INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VALVE COVER GASKET USUALLY BLOWS FROM THE INCREASED PRESSURE. IF ENOUGH OIL IS SUCKED IN THROUGH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, IT CAN HYDROLOCK THE ENGINE, BREAKING PISTON RODS, ETC OR THE ENGINE CAN SEIZE FROM LACK OF OIL. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS DESIGN FLAW IN THESE CARS WHEN OPERATED IN COLD CLIMATES AND IS PROVIDING SOME RELIEF FOR SOME OF THE CARS THAT EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE. THE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS REPLACED. OIL HAD TO BE VACUUMED FROM THE SPARK PLUG WELLS. THE CCV AND ASSOCIATED HOSES WERE REPLACED WITH A NEWER INSULATED DESIGN. THE DIPSTICK TUBE WAS REPLACED. THE OIL FILTER WAS REPLACED. ANY OIL THAT MAY REMAIN IS DRAINED AND NEW OIL WAS ADDED. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS DEGREASED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561450

60,000 miles · Mar 3, 2013
EnginePower Train

OIL SEPARATOR FROZE CAUSING HIGH PRESSURE AND BLOWN SEALS. INITIAL COST ABOUT $1100 TO REPAIR. DEALER STATES THIS "HAPPENS ALL THE TIME" TO X5'S IN COLD WEATHER. TEMP WAS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS. IN JANUARY 2013 OIL SEPARATOR FROZE TWO MORE TIMES;HOWEVER, THIS TIME DAMAGING THE ENGINE - COST OVER $5000 TO REPAIR - BASICALLY TOTAL…

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OIL SEPARATOR FROZE CAUSING HIGH PRESSURE AND BLOWN SEALS. INITIAL COST ABOUT $1100 TO REPAIR. DEALER STATES THIS "HAPPENS ALL THE TIME" TO X5'S IN COLD WEATHER. TEMP WAS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS. IN JANUARY 2013 OIL SEPARATOR FROZE TWO MORE TIMES;HOWEVER, THIS TIME DAMAGING THE ENGINE - COST OVER $5000 TO REPAIR - BASICALLY TOTALING THE CAR. WITH ABOUT 15 MINUTES OF RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON AND KNOWN ISSUE ON BMW X5 3.0, 4.4 AND 4.8 ENGINES FROM 2001 TO 2008... LOOKS LIKE THE PARTS WERE REDESIGNED IN 2009. LOOKS LIKE A SIMPLE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE ROUTINE AND INSULATED OIL LINES WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE "CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE" AND DANGEROUS CONDITION OF TAILPIPE FIRE, OR BEING STRANDED IN ZERO DEGREE WEATHER (WHICH SEEMS TO BE A CONDITION REQUIRED FOR THE FAILURE). OWNER OF CAR IS THE ORIGINAL OWNER, WITH ALL MAINTENANCE BEING DONE AT LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIPS INCLUDING MAJOR SERVICES AT 60K AND 90K SO THERE APPEARS THERE IS NO "PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE" INCLUDED IN EITHER OF THESE MAJOR SERVICE MILESTONES FOR THE KNOWN OIL SEPARATOR DEFECT. A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT TO INSTALL THE SMALL AMOUNT OF PARTS TO PREVENT "CATASTROPHIC ENGINES FAILURE" AND DANGEROUS CONDITIONS "BEING STRANDED IN SINGLE DIGIT WEATHER" SEEMS LIKE A LOGICAL CHOICE... OR AT LEAST CHANGING MAJOR SERVICE MILESTONES TO ADD PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE SO THE PROBABILITY OF THE FAILURE CAN BE REDUCED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10501123

150,000 miles · Nov 8, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. THE MANUFACTURER INVESTIGATED THE FAILURE AND CONCLUDED THAT CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DUE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. THE MANUFACTURER INVESTIGATED THE FAILURE AND CONCLUDED THAT CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DUE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED TWICE AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 2/15/13 *CN THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. UPDATED 02/02/513

NHTSA ODI #10483690

Official recalls

3

17V047000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 20, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

15V318000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

May 28, 2015

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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 Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.

03V197000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

May 27, 2003

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.