The Used Car Index

2003 BMW X5 problems

NHTSA lists 99 complaints for the 2003 BMW X5, 4 of them mention a crash and 13 mention a fire. 3 complaints mention an injury, with 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-09.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as BMW X5.

At a glance

Complaints
99
With crash
4
With fire
13
With injury (complaints)
3
Injuries
3
Deaths
0
Recalls
3
Do not drive recalls
2
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
419,235
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
71

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2424.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1717.2%
POWER TRAIN1616.2%
AIR BAGS1515.2%
ENGINE1111.1%
SEATS77.1%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER77.1%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING66.1%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL55.1%
STRUCTURE44.0%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE8
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCOOLING SYSTEM3
STRUCTUREBODY3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGEXHAUST SYSTEM2
POWER TRAINDRIVELINE2
SEATSFRONT ASSEMBLY2
AIR BAGSFRONTAL1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMIGNITION1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

3 recalls.

17V047000

Date: 2017-01-20. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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 (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

15V318000

Date: 2015-05-28. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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 a (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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 (excerpt)

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

03V197000

Date: 2003-05-27. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Defect: 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: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

71 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM21
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING14
AIR BAGS9
EQUIPMENT9
EXTERIOR LIGHTING6
VISIBILITY6
POWER TRAIN5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE4

10249437

Date: 2024-01-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY.

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

10247567

Date: 2023-12-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low CDA594 - Message (- 0x33E) missing, rec

10245422

Date: 2023-11-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT.

Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleA A?A A A A s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm L

10244258

Date: 2023-10-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SEATS.

Second seat row blocking access to third seat row, program seat modules. Visible stitching on first row sport seat. Third seat row backrest Bowden cable routing and length change.

10244242

Date: 2023-10-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, LANE DEPARTURE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

Various functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (ADCAM system) can lead to customer complaints.

10244239

Date: 2023-10-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE, VISIBILITY.

This situation can result in two customer complaints: 1. Wind noise 2. Excess water entry

10225107

Date: 2022-09-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Coolant is leaking from under the car which is equipped with the S63 engine. A low coolant warning might also be displayed (CC Message ID166).

10225110

Date: 2022-09-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SEATS.

The driver's side (left rear) of the 60/40 split 2nd row seat may intermittently not fully latch into position on one side (inner rail).

10225115

Date: 2022-09-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Customer is unable to power up or charge accessories through a plug adapter inserted in the front 12-volt power socket plug. Alternatively, it will only operate when constant downward hand pressure is maintained.

10225126

Date: 2022-09-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
X599

Same model, other years

All model years | All BMW models

Other BMW models, 2003

Sources

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