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2003 BMW X5Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 99 owner complaints about the 2003 BMW X5, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-047 the manufacturer reports only 24% of affected cars repaired.

2003 BMW X5
54
CarFlaw IndexSolid year15% below the X5 median · #15 of 25 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 24%Owner complaints9920 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage61kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 29, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 BMW X5 has problems

99 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling241
Electrical system177
Power train160
Air bags152
Engine114
Seats74
Exterior lighting60
Vehicle speed control51
Structure42
10 other systems202

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2003 BMW X5 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

24%repaired · 2018 Q2

Driver side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 17V-047 · Jan 20, 2017 · 230,117 vehicles · 55,819 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

32%repaired · 2017 Q4

Driver side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 15V-318 · May 28, 2015 · 419,235 vehicles · 133,934 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 03V-197 · May 27, 2003 · 357 vehicles

Risk. A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, INDICATED BY A WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, COULD OCCUR.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

61kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 21 engine and engine cooling complaints. 95% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
2under 30k miles20under 100k miles1100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other X5 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the X5 median. How we score

'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 BMW X5 safety ratings

2003 BMW X5 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2003 BMW X5 frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2003 BMW X5 side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What X5 owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

OIL SEPARATOR MALFUNCTIONED IN COLD TEMPERATURES. WHEN DRIVING EXPERIENCED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER. DROVE SLOWLY WITH HAZARDS TO NEAREST MECHANIC AND INCURRED $1,955 IN REPAIR CHARGE. MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS BECOMING A POPULAR DEFECT WITH THE OEM OIL SEPARATOR ON…
Complaint 10452466 · Mar 20, 2012 · 56,790 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHANGE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHANGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Complaint 10440195 · Dec 16, 2011 · 90,000 miles
WHILE TRAVELING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF TRAFFIC AT 55 MPH MY BMW X5 STARTED POURING SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN LEAVING ME HELPLESS WITH NO POWER ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. *TR
Complaint 10428389 · Oct 3, 2011 · 85,000 miles

Own a 2003 X5?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.