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BrakesPart report

2003 BMW X5 Brakes Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
3%of 99 total for the year
Median mileage
100,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 BMW X5, 3% of the 99 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

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

“I was driving the vehicle in stop and go traffic, the vehicle lost all power forcing me to come to complete stop in the middle of the highway. This occurred 3 other times in the past 4 months , the other incidents were in the parking lot. The car starts up and runs perfectly before and after. I am concerned about my safety. Searching for a solution, I found that Bmw has service bulletin to address this issue. I am surprised that there is no recall on this since it is a huge safety concern.”

NHTSA complaint #10463341, filed 2012-06, 115,000 miles

“The right rear brake light bulb shorts out. Instrument warning for rear brake / tail lights activates. Problem occurs multiple times due to an apparent flaw in the brake light assembly circuit and plastic that forms the split circuit for positive (+) negative (-) connection points to bulb socket leads. To repair - the metal assembly needs to be bent outward (direction away from tail light lens) to increase tension between bulb socket electrical connections and metal plate of tail light assembly. …”

NHTSA complaint #10457023, filed 2012-05, 53,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202627%
20253048%
20249062%
202339%
202268%
202165%
202065%
2019137%
201834%
2017811%
201623%
201532%
201444%
201375%
201241%
201183%
201032%
2009107%
2008167%
20071318%
20062917%
20051518%
200423%
200333%
200266%
2001117%
2000310%

Other parts of the 2003 BMW X5

Engine cooling
24 complaints
Electrical system
17 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
16 complaints
Air bags
15 complaints
Engine
11 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Seats
7 complaints
Exterior lighting
6 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints
Vehicle speed control
5 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Latches, 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 27, 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