2003 BMW X5

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/27/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CRANKCASE VENT VALVE FROZE & BLEW OFF OIL CAP. OIL ALL OVER ENGINE. REPLACED CRANKCASE VENT VALUE, W/ NON ORIGINAL, & ALL HOSES. REMOVED & CLEANED OUT DIPSTICK TUBE, DISTRIBUTION PIECE. REMOVED LOWER ENGINE SPLASH PAN & STIFFENING PLATE. DE-GREASED TOP & BOTTOM OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS PROPENSITY FOR THE CRANKCASE TO FREEZE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN COLD WEATHER STATES. THE AUTO IS SOLD IN THE COLD WEATHER STATES REGARDLESS. *TR

• 12/26/2019· ENGINEFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN HE OPENED THE HOOD, HE NOTICED FLAMES AROUND THE MOTOR. THE CONTACT QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF DALLAS (6200 LEMMON AVE, DALLAS, TX 75209, (972) 763-5528) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

• 12/22/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  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

• 12/18/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  THE CAR STARTED LOSING POWER WHILE ON THE ROAD. IT GOT SLOWER AND SLOWER, TILL IT FINALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT HAD TO BE TOWED THE REST OF THE WAY TO THE HOUSE. THE ENGINE WOULD START UP, BUT IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE ANY OF THE GEARS.

• 12/17/2004· POWER TRAIN

  DRIVING BMW X5 AT 50 MPH, FRONT DIFFERENTIAL LOCKS UP TAKING VEHICLE FROM 50 MPH TO APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN ABOUT 1 SECOND THEN DIFFERENTIAL FAILS. GEAR OIL SPRAYED ON HOT EXHAUST AND ENGINE, CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD, PASSENGER (MY WIFE) JUMPS OUT WHEN WE STOPPED THINKING CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE (SMOKE AND STRONG BURNING SMELL FROM OIL). DEALER HAD CAR TOWED TO SHOP, HAD TO REPLACE FORWARD DRIVE TRAIN. CAR WAS IN SHOP 4 DAYS. MY WIFE WILL NOT RIDE IN CAR AGAIN, SHE ALMOST IMPACTED THE DASH WHEN AXEL LOCKED UP, HAD ROAD BEEN WET OR ICY, WE COULD HAVE VERY EASILY LOST CONTROL. HAD A VEHICLE BEEN BEHIND US, VERY LIKELY THEY WOULD HAVE RUN INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR IT STOPPED SO FAST AND UNEXPECTEDLY. FELT LIKE WE RAN OVER A LARGE TREE IN THE ROAD BUT THE ROAD WAS PERFECTLY CLEAR. IMMEDIATELY TRADED THE CAR AND BOUGHT ANOTHER VEHICLE, BELIEVE NTSB NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SEE IF IT HAPPENS ELSEWHERE, VERY SCARY TO HAVE CAR WHEELS LOCK UP ON THE HIGHWAY AT ANY SPEED. *JB

• 12/16/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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.

• 12/15/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE RAISED ALL THE WAY TO THE RED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THERE WASN'T ANY SMOKE OR ANY OTHER INDICATORS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. SHE CONTACTED HER DEALER, AND WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

• 12/15/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH AND VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, AND DROVE ROUGHLY. A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON THEN OFF. CONSUMER DROVE IT TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TWO IGNITION COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. *AK

• 12/08/2009· AIR BAGS

  PASSENGER-AIRBAG-DISABLED WARNING LAMP COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT. PROBLEM FIRST NOTED IN 2007, BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. DEALER CHECKED AND FOUND DEFECTIVE SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR, BUT REPLACEMENT QUOTED AT $800 NOTE - THIS IS A BMW MODEL X3 BUT YOUR WEB FORM DID NOT LIST X3 SO I SELECTED X5. *TR

• 12/07/2010· TIRES

  INSTALLED TWO NEW BRIDGESTONE POTENZA POLE POSITION RE 960AS IN JULY 2010(PURCHASED FROM THETIRE RACK),ON MY 2003 BMW 540I(AT BRIDGESTONE TIRE DEALER).REAR,275R1835.TWO MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING 40MPH ON A VERY WELL MAINTAINED ROAD(LAKE SHORE DRIVE,IN CHICAGO),LOUD BANG WAS HERD FROM THE BACK AND GOT FLAT WITHOUT RUNNING OVER ANY DEBRIS ON THE ROAD.CLAIMED THROUGH THE SELLER(THE TIRERACK),THE TIRE WAS SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR INSPECTION(SINCE THE CUT AND THE DISINTEGRATION SEEMED CONSISTENT WITH MATERIAL DETECT) BUT RECEIVED A COLD SHOULDER FROM THEM CITING THAT THE BLOWN TIRE DID NOT HAVE A DEFECT. THE SELLER REFUSED TO HONOR MY WARRANTY(THE TIRE WAS REGISTERED FOR THAT). WHAT TO DO? *TR

• 12/07/2009· SEAT BELTS

  SEAT BELT LATCH BROKEN. *TR

• 11/30/2004· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESCrash

  MY 2003 BMW 5 SERIES CAR WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND REAR-ENDED. THE COLLISION PUSHED THE CONTENTS OF THE TRUNK INTO THE BACK SEAT AREA BY BREAKING THE LATCHES THAT HOLD THE FOLD-DOWN SEATS. ANYONE IN THE BACK SEAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PUSHED FORWARD BY THE SEAT BACKS, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY HELD IN PLACE BY THE SEATBELTS.*AK

• 11/18/2014· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED, I HAVE HAD IT FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS (STEERING COLUMN, WINDOW REGULATORS, ENGINE, AND COOLANT LEAKAGE). I SEE WHERE THESE ISSUES SEEM TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT AM HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING THE RECALL WORK DONE. I CAN'S AFFORD TO SPEND A LOT ON THIS CAR, BUT I FEEL LIKE I MAY HAVE MORE THAN I BARGAINED FOR. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY IS NOT PAYING FOR MUCH !!! HELP *TR

• 11/13/2013· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS UNLOCKED MANUALLY WITH A SPARE KEY AND THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE DOOR LATCH WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,600.

• 11/08/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINEFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. THE MANUFACTURER INVESTIGATED THE FAILURE AND CONCLUDED THAT CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DUE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED TWICE AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 2/15/13 *CN THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. UPDATED 02/02/513

• 11/03/2010· STEERING

  THE 2003 BMW 540I POWER STEERING PUMP SPOOL VALVE WAS FOUND (DISASSEMBLED AND JUDGED BY BMW TECHNICIAN) TO JAM AT LOWER RPM THUS CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, ESPECIALLY IN REDUCED RPM TURNS OFF HIGHWAYS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I NEARLY CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN-WALL BECAUSE OF IT. I SENT A LETTER TO BMW BUT ALL THEY TOLD ME IS THAT IT WOULD BE FORWARDED BUT THAT I WOULD NEVER HEAR BACK FROM THEM AGAIN. I CONSIDER THIS A MATERIAL/PART FLAW THAT BMW HAS TO CONSIDER AS SERIOUS AND OFFER SOME FORM OF REPAIR/REPLACE PLAN OR CUSTOMER-DIRECTED ACTION AS IT CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS CRASHES DURING TURNING MANEUVERS! *TR

• 11/03/2008· AIR BAGS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 540. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AIR BAG AND REAR DOOR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, INJURING HER LEFT ARM AND LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A BMW DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000.

• 10/29/2023· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  Wiring dash fire. Heavy smoke from dash and vehicle completely in flame in minute. My son sent me a recording while it was happening, he did no know what to do or what was happening.

• 10/27/2016· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL. MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, I RECEIVED INFORMATION IN THE FORM OF A WARNING THAT MY CAR HAD AIRBAGS THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED. I CONTACTED THE BMW CENTER ON S.DIXIE HIGHWAY NEAR 160 STREET IN MIAMI AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WILL GET BACK TO ME. AFTER A LONG ENOUGH WAIT, I CALLED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. AFTER ANOTHER PERIOD OF TIME, I TOOK MY CAR TO THEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE AIRBAG HAD BEEN ORDERED AND THAT I WILL BE NOTIFIED AS SOON AS IT COMES IN. AFTER ANOTHER LONG WAIT, I CALLED AND LATER WENT BACK WITH MY CAR BUT STILL GOT THE SAME RUN-AROUND. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 2 YEARS SINCE I CONTACTED BMW. I AM LUCKY THAT NOTHING BAD HAS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DRIVING MY CAR. WHAT ELSE AM I SUPPOSED TO DO IN ORDER TO GET THE SERVICE THAT I NEED? THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

• 10/22/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  BMW 2003 X5 STALLED 3X. ABS, ENGINE FAILED SAFE TURNED ON. IRVINE BMW REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. LAST MONDAY OCT. 19, 2009 I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY FOR ABOUT 10 MILES IT STALLED AGAIN FOR THE 3RD TIME. *TR

• 10/19/2005· SUSPENSION

  PREMATURE WEAR OF REAR TIRES: THE FACTORY SET ANGLE OF CAMBER LEADS TO SEVERE CUPPING OF THE REAR TIRES ON A 2003 BMW X5 4.4 AFTER 30000 MILES, CORD IS SHOWING ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. (BRIDGESTONE TURANZA ER30(TZ) 285-45R19 107V). DEALER SAID THIS IS NORMAL WEAR. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER SAID THE VEHICLE IS SETUP WITH HIGH NEGATIVE CAMBER BECAUSE IT IS MEANT TO BE DRIVEN AT 100 MPH. THE REST OF THE TREAD IS NORMAL, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN CONSERVATIVELY, AND THE TIRE PRESSURE IS CHECKED OFTEN. REPAIR INCLUDES REPLACING THE REAR TIRES AND A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT. ($800). *NM

• 10/15/2014· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  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

• 10/07/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

• 10/03/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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

• 10/02/2015· AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  RECALLCAMPAIGN NO.15V-318 : DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG MODULE FOR MY BMW X5 I RECEIVED NOTICE THAT THEY WILL CHANGE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG MODULE IN JULY 2015 BUT AFTER TILL DATE NO INTIMATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED WHEN THEY WILL REPLACE IT. ALSO WANT TO POINT TO NOTICE THAT MY CAR MET WITH AN HEADON ACCIDENT WITH TREE IN 2012 (I THINK) BUT THAT TIME NO AIRBAGS GOT OPENED DESPITE SUCH STRONG HEAD ON COLLISION WITH BIG TREE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY CAR AND MY SAFETY WHILE I DRIVE THIS CAR.

• 09/30/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE DRAIN VALVE IN 2003 BMW X5 DISINTEGRATES DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT, IT IS INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE AND IS A SOURCE OF LEAKS AND IF NOT REPLACED WOULD CASE THE RADIATOR TO DRAIN OUT, CAUSING OVERHEATING AND RUINING THE ENGINE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED ON BMW OWNER WEBSITES. HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=154553 HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=287894. *TR

• 09/29/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  INTERMITTENT ENGINE SHUT-DOWN. ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT ANY SPEED. "ENGINE FAILSAFE" WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. VEHICLE MUST BE STOPPED, KEY TURNED OFF AND RE-STARTED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT BMW IS AWARE OF AND HAS ISSUED A RELATED TSB. $2000 PLUS REPAIR BILL FOR A NEW "ENGINE WIRING HARNESS". BMW SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE VEHICLES. *TR

• 09/27/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE IN MOTION. PURCHASED AN X5 IN DECEMBER 2002. PRIOR TO REACHING 400 TOTAL MILES, THE CAR STALLED TWICE WHILE IN MOTION, THUS CAUSING ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS TO FAIL. THE DEALER REPORTED THE PROBLEM SOLVED. LAST WEEK, WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH THROUGH THE EZ PASS LANES ON THE PA TURNPIKE, THE CAR STALLED, ONCE AGAIN LOSING POWER WHILE IN MOTION. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME AS THEY WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY REAR ENDED MY VEHICLE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT ANOTHER CUSTOMER HAD THIS PROBLEM. I DROPPED THE CAR OFF ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2004, THE DEALER HAS YET TO DIAGNOSE THIS RECURRING PROBLEM.*AK

• 09/13/2010· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE A 2003 BMW X5 4.4. WHICH SEEMS TO VIBRATE/JERK BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH. THE FIRST TIME (2009) I WENT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY TIRE WHICH I DID. THIS DID NOT HELP. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND NOW THEY TELL ME I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE, I AM LEARNING MANY OTHER BMW OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. I AM CURIOUS TO KNOW IF THIS IS A DEFECT. *TR

• 09/07/2017· STRUCTURE,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMFire

  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.

• 09/06/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS) AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE SERVICE APPOINTMENT AT 55 MPH, THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE BMW STORE (6131 STEWART RD SUITE 1, CINCINNATI, OH 45227, (513) 271-8700) AND WAS INFORMED THAT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER CAUSED THE FAILURE DUE TO NOT DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND WAS PROVIDED COMPLAINT ID NUMBER: 3787246. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

• 08/30/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V318000 (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 ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

• 08/29/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE PIXELS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE RADIO DISPLAY ARE FADED OUT WHICH MAKES THE VISIBILITY ON THESE ITEMS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO BMWUSA'S ATTENTION AND DISCUSSED ON MANY BMW FORUMS, YET THE MANUFACTURER AND ITS SUPPLIER (SIEMANS VDO) REFUSE TO FIX. *TR

• 08/27/2013· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE

  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

• 08/25/2020· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

  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.

• 08/25/2016· AIR BAGS

  I'M GETTING THE RUN AROUND ABOUT REPLACING THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG IN MY CAR. I RECEIVED THE INITIAL NOTICE OVER 6 MONTHS AGO AND WAS TOLD THE AIR BAGS WERE RELEASED OVER A MONTH AGO BUT I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN A SECOND NOTICE. THE BMW DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE ISN'T AN ISSUE WITH THE BMW IT'S JUST PRECAUTIONARY BUT THEY STILL DON'T HAVE THE AIRBAGS IN.

• 08/21/2012· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  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

• 08/17/2012· POWER TRAIN

  I OWN A 2003 BMW X5 4.6IS MY TRANSMISSION HAS GONE COMPLETELY OUT WITH ONLY 70000 MILES . I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ IN FORUMS THAT OTHER 2002-2003 4.6IS OWNERS HAD TRANSMISSION TRANS FAILURES. I BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE IS NO REASON THAT A 75K VEHICLES TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT LAST UNDER 100K MILES. *TR

• 08/15/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MODEL X5 RPM'S INCREASED RAPIDLY WITH NO PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR.*MR *TS *JB

• 08/13/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

• 07/29/2008· POWER TRAIN

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH HE NOTICED A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE THE RPM'S WOULD RISE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE BEFOREHAND AND WAS NOT IN A CRASH DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE DIFFERENTIAL FAILED. THE VIN IS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 48000.

• 07/23/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE INCLUDING FAILURE OF SUSPENSION SYSTEM BUT OF CONCERN IS WHEN ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO I WAS MAKING A U TURN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, COMPLETED THE U TURN AND MY ENGINE DIED. CAR CAME TO A STOP. I TURNED OFF THE KEY AND RESTARTED THE IGNITION AND ENGINE TURNED ON AGAIN. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT IT MIGHT IN LIGHT OF RECENT ARTICLES THAT BMW HAS BEEN HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH NEWER CARS. *TR

• 07/18/2011· POWER TRAIN

  2003 BMW X5 4.4I TRANSFER CASE/FRONT DRIVE SHAFT FAILED LEAVING CAR STRANDED ON A RAILROAD CROSSING WITH NO POWER. RR LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLASH BUT MANAGED TO PUSH CAR OFF TRACKS IN TIME ONCE WE FOUND HELP (TOO HEAVY TO PUSH ALONE). SAME FAILURE AT 90K MILES HAD STRANDED CAR ON A LOCAL STREET ABOUT 2.5 YEARS EARLIER. BMW REPLACED TRANSFER CASE AND FRONT DRIVE SHAFT UNDER CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED WARRANTY. CURRENT FAILURE OCCURRED ON TRANSFER CASE/DRIVE SHAFT LESS THAN 40K MILES / 2.5 YEARS OLD. SAME FAILURE IS WELL DOCUMENTED WITH NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS ON VARIOUS INTERNET MESSAGE BOARDS. RESEARCH SUGGESTS THE FAILURE IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW INVOLVING INSUFFICIENT SPLINE ENGAGEMENT AND POOR PLACEMENT OF A/C CONDENSATE DRAIN DIRECTLY ABOVE TRANSFER CASE / SHAFT CONNECTION CAUSING ACCELERATED RUSTING OF DRIVE SHAFT SPLINES WHICH EVENTUALLY WEAKEN AND STRIP OUT. ATTEMPTED TO GET BMW TO COVER REPAIR OUT-OF-WARRANTY DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES OF EARLY FAILURE OF A DRIVETRAIN PART. MULTIPLE CALLS (MESSAGES FOR SERVICE MANAGERS) TO TWO LOCAL DEALERSHIPS WENT UNRETURNED. CALL TO BMWNA WAS UNHELPFUL - WOULD NOT TAKE ANY ACTION UNTIL CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AT MY EXPENSE AND WOULD (AT BEST) BE REPAIRED WITH SAME PARTS OF POOR DESIGN. *TR *KB

• 07/16/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHERFire

  PARKED VEHICLE, NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD, TURNED INTO FIRE, HEARD 'BOOM,' VEHICLE EXPLODED, HOUSTON FIRE DEPT RESPONDED AND WILL HAVE REPORT OF THIS INCIDENT

• 07/03/2019· AIR BAGS

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS) AS OF JANUARY 20, 2017. THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER (FIELDS BMW WINTER PARK, LOCATED AT 963 WYMORE RD, WINTER PARK, FL 32789, (407) 628-2100) INITIALLY INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG RECALL WAS SERVICED, BUT LATER RECANTED THE STATEMENT AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

• 06/30/2018· STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  WE HAVE REPLACED 7 WINDOW REGULATORS KEEP BREAKING. ALL BMW PARTS. DEFECTIVE DESIGN. ALSO NOW THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR HAS WENT OUT AND CAUSING ISSUES WITH BRAKES ETC. BITH OF THESE ISSUES CAUSE THE AUTO TO FAIL SAFETY INSPECTION. THE DRIVERS SIDE REGULATOR SCRAPED ALL THE TINTING OFF THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOW AS WELL. THE REGULATORS WERE ALL REPLACED 4 YEARS AGO WITH BMW PARTS AND THEY ARE BROKEN AGAIN AND BEING REPLACED AGAIN. REASEARCHING IF THERE IS AFTER MARKET TO FIX PROBLEM WITH THAT DOWEST HAVE THE DEFECT BMW'S REGULATORS HAVE. THE FIX IS ALMOST $2000.00 EACH TIME. THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR HAS BEEN MALFUNCTIONING AND WAS JUST DIAGNOSED AND ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON..

• 06/27/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

  I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER FORCING ME TO COME TO COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS OCCURRED 3 OTHER TIMES IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS , THE OTHER INCIDENTS WERE IN THE PARKING LOT. THE CAR STARTS UP AND RUNS PERFECTLY BEFORE AND AFTER. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY. SEARCHING FOR A SOLUTION, I FOUND THAT BMW HAS SERVICE BULLETIN TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. I AM SURPRISED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS SINCE IT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

• 06/19/2014· POWER TRAIN

  STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AND WHEN RESUMED DRIVING AT GREEN LIGHT, SUDDENLY HEARD LOUD GRINDING NOISE IN DRIVE MODE (D). STOPPED CAR IMMEDIATELY. TUNED OFF ENGINE AND STARTED AGAIN AFTER FEW MINUTES AND SAME GRINDING NOISE IN DRIVE MODE AS WELL AS REVERSE MODE. NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR WHEN ACCELERATE. TOWED THE CAR TO MY LOCAL BMW MECHANIC (HE HAS HIS OWN SERVICE CENTER NOT A DEALER OWNED). DURING PHONE CONVERSATION, HE SUSPECTED ITS SOMETHING TO DO WITH TRANSFERCASE/FRONT DRIVE SHAFT AND UPON PHYSICAL INSPECTION HE CONFIRMED ITS THOSE TWO PARTS. THE SPLINE CONNECTION BETWEEN DRIVE SHAFT AND TRANSFER CASE WENT BAD. THE MECHANIC KNEW OF THIS ISSUE HAPPENING IN SEVERAL X5S BUT NOT AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE (51K ONLY). ENDED UP REPLACING THE BAD PARTS THROUGH HIM AS I HAD NO HOPES DEALER WILL FIX THIS ISSUE AT THEIR EXPENSE BASED ON SEVERAL READINGS ONLINE AND FEEDBACK FROM OTHER CAR OWNERS. TOTAL REPAIR COST $4000 OEM PARTS PLUS LABOR. READ IN SEVERAL BMW FORUMS (BIMMERFORUM, BIMMERFEST ETC,) THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM. EXPERTS BELIEVE IT IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN FRONT DRIVE SHAFT AND TRANSFER CASE (DRIVE SHAFT BEING AN INCH SHORT).THERE ARE CUSTOM FRONT DRIVE SHAFT AVAILABLE THAT ARE ABOUT 1INCH LONGER THAN THE OEM PART. ANOTHER FACTOR THAT MAY BE DRIVING THIS ISSUE COULD BE RELATED TO AC CONDENSATE PIPE LOCATION RIGHT ABOVE WHERE THE DRIVE SHAFT AND TRANSFER CASE CONNECTS. I READ THIS IN ANOTHER COMPLAIN BUT UNABLE TO CONFIRM AS I'M NOT THE MECHANIC. BASED ON THE SAME ISSUE REPORTED SO FAR (AND MANY THAT ARE NOT REPORTED JUST BECAUSE NOT EVERYONE IS INTERNET SAVVY TO REPORT), IT IS HIGH TIME BMW NEEDS TO BE PUSHED FOR REPAIRING THIS ISSUE IN FUTURE AND REFUND REPAIR COST FOR THOSE WHO ALREADY FIXED IT ON THEIR OWN. *TR

• 06/12/2012· POWER TRAIN

  DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, FELT AS IF SOMETHING FELL OFF OR CAME LOOSE AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN IN MIDDLE ON TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS PUSHED, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED ANYONE TO CRASH THE BACK OF ME. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER AND STOP. VERY TRAGIC, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL BUT MY VEHICLE CAME FROM THE WRONG MANUFACTURER. VERY UNFAIR :-( *TR

• 06/08/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A SLOW LEFT HAND TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, BUT RESTARTED EACH TIME. THE DEALERSHIP REPROGRAMMED THE DME WITH VERSION 43 AND SET THE MINIMUM IDLE TO 750, THIS HAS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 06/27/06 *JB THE CONSUMERS WIFE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM.