2003 Model Year

BMW X5

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
114
Recalls
3
Crashes
5
Severe
23

Active Recalls

Manufacturer safety recalls

17V047000 Jan 2017

Other

No consequence data available

15V318000 May 2015

Other

No consequence data available

03V197000 May 2003

Other

No consequence data available

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

Electrical System Fire
Dec 2023

The contact owns a 2003 BMW X5. The contact stated the vehicle was parked, while entering the vehicle he noticed the dashboard was melted, which was c...

Electrical System Fire
Oct 2023

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...

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER Fire
Mar 2023

My 2003 BMW X5 was parked outside of my house, turned off and not driven for hours and burst into flames consuming the whole dashboard, fire departmen...

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Oct 2022

The windows keep getting stuck. Not just one but both. We have replaced the windows 3 times. The window regulator keeps getting wound up in the gear....

Seats Fire
Jan 2022

LH - Driver side seat caught fire and melted through seat material and melted onto my coat. there are burn marks / holes through the seat due to the h...

Air Bags Crash
Jun 2021

2003 BMW X5 INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT. HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON PASSENGER SIDE. AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT INFLAT. NO ONE SITTING IN PASSENGER AR...

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Dec 2020

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...

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Aug 2020

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...

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER Fire
Mar 2020

THIS MORNING 03/13/2020 AT APROX. 2:30AM MY BMW X5 2003 WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES FOR NO REASON AND MY TWO GERMAN SHEPHERDS HEY YOU AND MY BABY DIESEL WE...

Engine Fire
Dec 2019

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 NOTIC...

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 5, 2026

Summary

The 2003 BMW X5 has 114 complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is Engine. 5 crash-related incidents have been reported.

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