2003 BMW X5: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 BMW X5: 3 recalls, 99 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #03V197000 · 2003 · 357 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V318000 · 2015 · 419,235 vehicles
What's wrong: 0i and 4.4i sports activity vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and x5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #17V047000 · 2017 · 230,117 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that May rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity,…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 13 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (24): the most common themes are fire / smoke (9), stalls / loses power (7), warning light on (4).
- Electrical (17): the most common themes are electrical failure (6), fire / smoke (6), stalls / loses power (4).
- Transmission & drivetrain (16): the most common themes are noise or vibration (4), stalls / loses power (3).
- Airbags (15): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2003 BMW X5 has 99 owner complaints, ranking #15 of 28 X5 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 113). Complaints peaked in 2009 (12 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 74,200 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (102 complaints, 3 recalls), 2004 (64 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Premium |
| 4.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 BMW X5.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 BMW X5 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2003 BMW X5. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 BMW X5 problems?
Owners have filed 99 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (24), electrical (17), transmission & drivetrain (16).
What gas mileage does the 2003 BMW X5 get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 BMW X5 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.