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.
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.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
5 reports2003 BMW X5 RECALL FOR SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, FOUNDATION COMPONENTS, HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS 2003 BMW X5 RECALL FOR AIR BAGS, FRONTAL, DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A DUAL-STAGE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG THAT MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO MOISTURE INTRUSION WHICH, OVER TIME, COULD CA…
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2003 BMW X5 RECALL FOR SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, FOUNDATION COMPONENTS, HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS 2003 BMW X5 RECALL FOR AIR BAGS, FRONTAL, DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE 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. THE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING AND DOESNT GO INTO FIRST GEAR ALSO SHOWS CAR OVERHEATING BUT IT HASNT OVERHEATED. WHEN TURNING IT GOES BACK TO NORMAL THEN RIGHT BACK TO PROBLEM, ALSO THESE TWO ERROR CODES HAVE APPEARED P0600 SERIAL COMMUNICATION LINK AND P1747 CAN-BUS MONITORING
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 140,000. PAM…
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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 140,000. PAM
WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY AT ABOUT 80 MILES PER HOUR, WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, IT WAS NECESSARY TO DIS-ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR A SLOWER VEHICLE. WHEN I THEN APPLIED MY FOOT TO THE GAS PEDAL, IT SUDDENLY FELT UNSTABLE AND WOBBLY. I FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN STEADY PRESSURE ON IT AND MAINTAIN MY SPEED IN HEAVY FREE…
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WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY AT ABOUT 80 MILES PER HOUR, WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, IT WAS NECESSARY TO DIS-ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR A SLOWER VEHICLE. WHEN I THEN APPLIED MY FOOT TO THE GAS PEDAL, IT SUDDENLY FELT UNSTABLE AND WOBBLY. I FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN STEADY PRESSURE ON IT AND MAINTAIN MY SPEED IN HEAVY FREEWAY TRAFFIC. I WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE SITUATION. FORTUNATELY I WAS JUST 20 MILES FROM MY DESTINATION, AND I WAS ABLE TO VERY CAREFULLY AND REPEATEDLY RE-POSITION MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL TO MAINTAIN SPEED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. UPON ARRIVING AT MY DESTINATION, I EXAMINED THE GAS PEDAL, ONLY TO FIND MOST OF IT HAD DETACHED FROM THE FLOORBOARD - A THIN, FLIMSY WEB OF PLASTIC THAT HELD THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD HAD SPLIT AT THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING THE PROBLEM. ONLY ABOUT 15 OR 20% OF THE ATTACHMENT REMAINED. HAD 100% OF THE ATTACHMENT FAILED, I WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE LOST ALL ACCELERATOR CONTROL IN TRAFFIC AND AT HIGH SPEED, A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SCENARIO. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE DESIGN OF THIS GAS PEDAL IS DEFECTIVE, WHICH LED TO THE PROBLEM AT ONLY 33500 MILES! I COMPLAINED TO BMW U.S.A WITH NO SATISFACTION. I CLAIMED THAT THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN, WHICH CONSTITUTES LIFETIME RESPONSIBILITY OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THEY DID NOT AGREE. I ALSO FEEL THE EXTREME HEAT CONDITIONS PRESENT IN THE DESERT SOUTHWEST WHERE I LIVE MAY HAVE ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. I AM REPORTING THIS INCIDENT IN THE HOPE IT MAY PREVENT A SIMILAR, POSSIBLY MORE SERIOUS FAILURE FOR SOMEONE ELSE OWNING A BMW. I HAVE RETAINED THE FAILED GAS PEDAL AND CAN PROVIDE PICTURES TO YOU IF YOU LIKE. *TR
2003 BMW X5 THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVES BELOW THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN A EMERGENCY STOP CAUSING THE CAR TO ACCELERATE UNTILL THE FOOT IS MOVED MORE CENTERAL TO THE BRAKE. *AK
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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