2003
BMW X5
EPA MPG:
18 mpg
Owner Reported MPG:
EPA MPG:
18 mpg
Owner Reported MPG:
RECALL ALERT:
There are 4 recalls on this vehicle.
Learn More.
There are 4 recalls on this vehicle.
Learn More.
RECALL ALERT:
There are 4 recalls on this vehicle.
Learn More.
There are 4 recalls on this vehicle.
Learn More.
Reliability
Overall Reliability
We expect the 2025 X5 will be more reliable than the average new car. This prediction is based on data from 2022, 2023, and 2024 models.
The 2003 BMW X5 has been recalled 4 times by NHTSA.
View Recalls
The 2003 BMW X5 has been recalled 4 times by NHTSA.
View Recalls
2003 SUVs Reliability
No Data Available
BMW vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability
Reliability History
*
Redesign year
Overall Reliability Verdict
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Engine Major
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Engine Minor
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Engine Cooling
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Engine Electrical
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Transmission Major
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Transmission Minor
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Drive System
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Fuel System/Emissions
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Exhaust
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Suspension/Steering
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Brakes
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Climate System
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Electrical Accessories
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Body Hardware
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Paint/Trim
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Noises/Leaks
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
In-car Electronics
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Overall Reliability Verdict
Potential Trouble Spots
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Powertrain
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Engine Major
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Engine Minor
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Engine Cooling
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Engine Electrical
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Transmission Major
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Transmission Minor
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Drive System
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Fuel System/Emissions
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Exhaust
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Show all Powertrain Trouble Spots
Suspension/Steering
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Brakes
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Climate System
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Build Quality
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Electrical Accessories
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Body Hardware
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Paint/Trim
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Noises/Leaks
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Show all Build Quality Trouble Spots
In-car Electronics
2000*
NA
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007*
NA
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
NA
2013
NA
2014*
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting
how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive
reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest
subscriber survey for over 300,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give
you a rundown on how 2000 through 2024 vehicles are holding up in 20
potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and
brakes to power equipment and the electrical accessories.
NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide
data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
Recalls
PROVIDED BY
AIR BAGS
Jan 14, 2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Summary:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
What should you do:
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:
19V015000
Potential Number of Units Affected:
157549
AIR BAGS
Jan 20, 2017
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.
Summary:
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 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, temperature and temperature cycling.
What should you do:
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.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:
17V047000
Potential Number of Units Affected:
230117
AIR BAGS
May 28, 2015
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.
Summary:
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 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.
What should you do:
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 bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:
15V318000
Potential Number of Units Affected:
419235
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
May 27, 2003
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.
Summary:
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.
What should you do:
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.
For more information:
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:
03V197000
Potential Number of Units Affected:
357
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