2003 BMW X5 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 15%of 99 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 106,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 BMW X5, 15% of the 99 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10779353, filed 2015-10, 100,000 miles“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 area thank god or would have been injured. Happened on city street”
NHTSA complaint #11399509, filed 2021-03, 62,000 miles“2003 Bmw X5 recall for service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings 2003 Bmw X5 recall for air bags, frontal, driver side inflator module 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. The speedometer/odometer stops working while driving and doesnt go into first gear also shows car overheating but it hasnt overheated. …”
NHTSA complaint #10990584, filed 2017-05, 150,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10865839, filed 2016-05, 112,000 miles“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 !!!”
NHTSA complaint #10691854, filed 2015-03, 98,000 milesRelated recalls
- 17V047000Jan 20, 2017DO NOT DRIVEBMW 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…Covers: BMW X5 2001–2003, 320 2000–2002, 325 2000–2002 +7 more
- 15V318000May 28, 2015DO NOT DRIVEBMW 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…Covers: BMW X5 2003, M3 2002–2006, 330CI 2002–2006 +9 more
Related service bulletins
- 10218382Jun 1, 2022A check control message for the restraint system appears. In the Instrument cluster, the red air bag warning light lights up permanently. One of the following fault codes stored…
- 10160287Apr 1, 2019TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10160244Apr 1, 2019TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10153726Jan 1, 2019Takata class action settlement. Customer support program. Front driver side airbag modules.
- 10149557Oct 1, 2018For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata…
- 10154816Feb 1, 2018In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support…
- 10057707Feb 1, 2015Bmw:some bmw models may or may not display airbag warning light.
- 10029605Aug 1, 2011Bmw service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. The airbag warning lamp (awl) is illuminated, together with the passenger airbag status lamp (pol). The problem…
- 10037078Sep 1, 2010Bmw: the airbag warning lamp is illuminated due to a software error.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 3% |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 7 | 6% |
| 2020 | 6 | 5% |
| 2019 | 12 | 6% |
| 2018 | 4 | 5% |
| 2017 | 5 | 7% |
| 2016 | 5 | 7% |
| 2015 | 14 | 9% |
| 2014 | 6 | 6% |
| 2013 | 47 | 32% |
| 2012 | 83 | 31% |
| 2011 | 67 | 25% |
| 2010 | 35 | 28% |
| 2009 | 41 | 30% |
| 2008 | 65 | 30% |
| 2007 | 39 | 55% |
| 2006 | 83 | 49% |
| 2005 | 16 | 20% |
| 2004 | 6 | 9% |
| 2003 | 15 | 15% |
| 2002 | 19 | 19% |
| 2001 | 16 | 10% |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2003 BMW X5
24 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 BMW X5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology