10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
113,500 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 BMW X5 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 BMW X5:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 BMW X5 Owner Comments

problem #4

Aug 222020

X5

  • 130,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Galloway, NJ, USA

problem #3

Apr 022017

X5

  • 150,000 miles
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

- Laurinburg, NC, USA

problem #2

Oct 142014

X5

  • 140,000 miles
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

- Marrietta, GA, USA

problem #1

Jul 202012

X5

  • 33,500 miles
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.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

Not what you are looking for?