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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

Structure complaints

4 reports
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199,000 miles · Mar 13, 2020
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or OtherFireInjury

THIS MORNING 03/13/2020 AT APROX. 2:30AM MY BMW X5 2003 WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES FOR NO REASON AND MY TWO GERMAN SHEPHERDS HEY YOU AND MY BABY DIESEL WERE INSIDE,AND HOW ONE MADE IT OUT AND THE BABY DIDNT, I BUSTED WINDOWS CAUSE I HEARD HIM CRYING ,,,,I COULDNT GET HIM I TRIED TO I TRIED OH MY GOD MY POOR BABY , I WAS INJURED AND …

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THIS MORNING 03/13/2020 AT APROX. 2:30AM MY BMW X5 2003 WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES FOR NO REASON AND MY TWO GERMAN SHEPHERDS HEY YOU AND MY BABY DIESEL WERE INSIDE,AND HOW ONE MADE IT OUT AND THE BABY DIDNT, I BUSTED WINDOWS CAUSE I HEARD HIM CRYING ,,,,I COULDNT GET HIM I TRIED TO I TRIED OH MY GOD MY POOR BABY , I WAS INJURED AND SCARED FOR LIFE WITH THAT. MY CAR WAS OFF AND PARKED IN FRONT OF A FRIENDS HOUSE ON A SIDE STREET, ALL A LOSS. NO PICTURES TAKEN ,SEVERAL POLICE AND FIRE DEPT. CAME.

NHTSA ODI #11317929

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

75,000 miles · May 25, 2016
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR TH…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. VIN TOOLS CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10870873

114,000 miles · Aug 27, 2013
Exterior LightingStructure

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

NHTSA ODI #10537503

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.