WATER GETS INSIDE REAR LIGHTS, CAUSING CORROSION, AS A RESULT, THE LIGHTS STOP WORKING AND A WARNING LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD "CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS", "CHECK REAR LIGHTS". *TR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all X5 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Exterior Lighting complaints
6 reportsTHE 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 ME…
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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 METAL ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE BENT OUTWARD (DIRECTION AWAY FROM TAIL LIGHT LENS) TO INCREASE TENSION BETWEEN BULB SOCKET ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AND METAL PLATE OF TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE CAUSED BY WEAKENED PLASTIC THAT CAUSES THE METAL PLATE IN TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLE TO LOOSEN CREATING INADEQUATE BACK SPRING TENSION BETWEEN THE PLATE AND SOCKET CONNECTORS. RECALL ON BMW 3 SERIES FOR: NO. 11V-438: LAMPS IN REAR QUARTER PANEL 2002-2005 3 SERIES IS DESCRIBED AS THE EXACT PROBLEM. *JS
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 RECENTLY…
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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 RECENTLY INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA ON OTHER BMW MODELS SUCH AS THE 3 SERIES AND IS A COMMON COMPLAINT IN BMW FORUMS AND OTHER FORUMS ON THE INTERNET.
I OWN A 2003 BMW X5 3,0. THE VEHICLE IS LESS THEN TWO MONTH OLD. THE CARS MAIN AND ALL OTHER HEADLIGHTS WILL COMPLETELY GO DARK IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. I TRIED PANICALLY TO PLAY WITH THE SWITCH BUT TO NO AVAIL. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND IS A REAL SERIOUS & DANGEROUS ISSUE. THE LIGHTSD WILL THEN SOMETIME LATER WILL RESTORE AND …
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I OWN A 2003 BMW X5 3,0. THE VEHICLE IS LESS THEN TWO MONTH OLD. THE CARS MAIN AND ALL OTHER HEADLIGHTS WILL COMPLETELY GO DARK IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. I TRIED PANICALLY TO PLAY WITH THE SWITCH BUT TO NO AVAIL. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND IS A REAL SERIOUS & DANGEROUS ISSUE. THE LIGHTSD WILL THEN SOMETIME LATER WILL RESTORE AND SOMETIES WILL FUNCTION WELL FOR 24 HOURS OR SO. SOME TIMES ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT WILL COME ON, ETC. I BEEN ON THE ROADFLY.COM- A CHAT ROOM WHICH IS THE MOSY IMPORTANT BMW CHAT LINE AND THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL. IT IS MAYBE THE MOST SERIOUS HAZARDOUS PROBLEM ONE CAN HAVE WITH A CAR--IMAGINE THE LIGHTS GO DARK IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. THE DEALER CANT SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH ADMITS THAT THERE IS ONE. REAL SCARY STUFF AND NEEDS IMMIDATE INTERVENTION!!!! SCARY!!! PLEASE TAKE ACTION ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED!!!.
I OWN A 2003 BMW X5 3,0. THE VEHICLE IS LESS THEN TWO MONTH OLD. THE CARS MAIN AND ALL OTHER HEADLIGHTS WILL COMPLETELY GO DARK IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. I TRIED PANICALLY TO PLAY WITH THE SWITCH BUT TO NO AVAIL. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND IS A REAL SERIOUS & DANGEROUS ISSUE. THE LIGHTSD WILL THEN SOMETIME LATER WILL RESTORE AND …
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I OWN A 2003 BMW X5 3,0. THE VEHICLE IS LESS THEN TWO MONTH OLD. THE CARS MAIN AND ALL OTHER HEADLIGHTS WILL COMPLETELY GO DARK IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. I TRIED PANICALLY TO PLAY WITH THE SWITCH BUT TO NO AVAIL. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND IS A REAL SERIOUS & DANGEROUS ISSUE. THE LIGHTSD WILL THEN SOMETIME LATER WILL RESTORE AND SOMETIES WILL FUNCTION WELL FOR 24 HOURS OR SO. SOME TIMES ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT WILL COME ON, ETC. I BEEN ON THE ROADFLY.COM- A CHAT ROOM WHICH IS THE MOSY IMPORTANT BMW CHAT LINE AND THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL. IT IS MAYBE THE MOST SERIOUS HAZARDOUS PROBLEM ONE CAN HAVE WITH A CAR--IMAGINE THE LIGHTS GO DARK IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. THE DEALER CANT SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH ADMITS THAT THERE IS ONE. REAL SCARY STUFF AND NEEDS IMMIDATE INTERVENTION!!!! SCARY!!! PLEASE TAKE ACTION ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED!!!.
MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT A PROBLEM THAT I BELIEVE IS GETTING SERIOUSLY OUT OF HAND -- THAT OF INCREASING NUMBERS OF CARS AND SUVS ON THE ROAD WITH EXTREMELY BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS.*JB I AM 52. I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S A VISION PROBLEM. FOR FIFTY YEARS OR SO, I GENERALLY HAD NO PROBLEM WITH ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS. THEN CARS WITH THESE NEW…
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MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT A PROBLEM THAT I BELIEVE IS GETTING SERIOUSLY OUT OF HAND -- THAT OF INCREASING NUMBERS OF CARS AND SUVS ON THE ROAD WITH EXTREMELY BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS.*JB I AM 52. I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S A VISION PROBLEM. FOR FIFTY YEARS OR SO, I GENERALLY HAD NO PROBLEM WITH ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS. THEN CARS WITH THESE NEW HIGH-INTENSITY BEAMS STARTED APPEARING ON ROADS. THESE LIGHTS ARE PAINFUL TO MY EYES. THEY MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SEE. I WANT TO AVERT MY EYES BUT I KNOW I MUST KEEP MY EYES ON THE ROAD. AT FIRST I HOPED THEY WOULD JUST GO AWAY OR BE OUTLAWED, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE AS MORE NEW VEHICLES WITH THESE LIGHTS ENTER THE ROAD. COMBINE HIGH-INTENSITY LIGHTS WITH AN SUV AND IT IS A PAINFUL AND BLINDING EXPERIENCE TO HAVE ONE OF THESE VEHICLES COMING HEAD-ON OR FROM BEHIND, WITH THE LIGHTS REFLECTING IN MY REARVIEW MIRRORS. I SEE NO SENSE IN MAKING IT EASIER FOR THOSE WITH THESE OFFENSIVE LIGHTS TO SEE BETTER WHEN IT BLINDS EVERYONE ELSE. BUT SOON EVERYONE WILL BE BLINDED WHEN ALL CARS HAVE THEM -- UNLESS IT IS STOPPED NOW. PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN TO GET THESE BRIGHT LIGHTS OFF THE ROAD AND LET PEOPLE GO BACK TO THE TYPE OF HEADLIGHTS THAT WORKED JUST FINE FOR 100 YEARS. THANK YOU, WES COGAN
Official recalls
317V047000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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