BMW X5 Complaints (2003)
100 consumer complaints on file.
- #10980857April 26, 2017AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10967325March 20, 2017POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION
AS I WAS DRIVING MY BMW X5 I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I BEGIN TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO MOVE IT DIDN'T MOVE AND IT MADE A LOUD ROWING NOISE. U WAS THEN STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HWY WITH MOVING TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSFER CASE. HE THEN SAID HE SEE ALOT OF THEM LIKE THAT BEING WORKED ON BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10956730February 24, 2017AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG; HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10914803October 7, 2016AIR 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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10899471August 30, 2016AIR 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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10870873May 25, 2016LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (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 FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. VIN TOOLS CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10865839May 19, 2016AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. 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 WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10779353October 2, 2015AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES
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.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10748486August 13, 2015AIR 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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10705895April 15, 2015ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS THE SMELL OF PLASTIC BURNING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. MOMENTS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS BURNED DOWN TO THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10691854March 3, 2015AIR BAGS
VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WITH TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE REAR SEAT AND THE REAR RIGHT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING LOCALLY WITH 35 MPH SPEED !!! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10659101November 18, 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, 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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10644872October 15, 2014VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10604531June 19, 2014POWER 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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10588282May 14, 2014POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE), POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING INTERMITTENTLY ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10563304February 6, 2014SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10561450January 25, 2014ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 5 DEGREES F. AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE, THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE FROM TAILPIPES AND SMOKE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ENGINE OIL WARNING MESSAGE AND SES LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE HESITATED AND MISFIRED. AFTER STOPPING, THE BACK OF THE X5 WAS COVERED IN OIL. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS COVERED IN OIL AND OIL COATED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE X5 HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INDICATED THE CCV WAS FROZEN AND IT WAS COMMON IN THESE CARS. WHEN THE CCV FREEZES, IT CAN SUCK THE OIL FROM THE OIL SUMP THROUGH THE CCV INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VALVE COVER GASKET USUALLY BLOWS FROM THE INCREASED PRESSURE. IF ENOUGH OIL IS SUCKED IN THROUGH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, IT CAN HYDROLOCK THE ENGINE, BREAKING PISTON RODS, ETC OR THE ENGINE CAN SEIZE FROM LACK OF OIL. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS DESIGN FLAW IN THESE CARS WHEN OPERATED IN COLD CLIMATES AND IS PROVIDING SOME RELIEF FOR SOME OF THE CARS THAT EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE. THE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS REPLACED. OIL HAD TO BE VACUUMED FROM THE SPARK PLUG WELLS. THE CCV AND ASSOCIATED HOSES WERE REPLACED WITH A NEWER INSULATED DESIGN. THE DIPSTICK TUBE WAS REPLACED. THE OIL FILTER WAS REPLACED. ANY OIL THAT MAY REMAIN IS DRAINED AND NEW OIL WAS ADDED. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS DEGREASED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10559247January 9, 2014SEATS
THE SEAT HEATER WAS TURNED ON TO THE HIGHEST SETTING. WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 4-YEAR OLD SON IN THE BACK, I SMELLED SMOKE, THEN SHORTLY AFTER, MY LEFT BUTT CHEEK FELT BURNING. I LOOKED DOWN AND SURE ENOUGH SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF A AN AMBER GLOWING HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT. LUCKILY I DIDN'T PANIC... SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE HEATER. I DON'T USE THE HEATER ANYMORE BECAUSE EVEN AT THE LOWEST SETTING IT STARTS SMOKING AGAIN. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10552069November 13, 2013LATCHES/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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10537503August 27, 2013STRUCTURE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0