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 milesRelated recalls
- 03V197000May 27, 2003On 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…Covers: BMW X5 2003
Related service bulletins
- 10147008Aug 1, 2016"REPAIRING TRANSFER CASE ACTUATOR (VTG SERVO-MOTOR). The Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), Brakes and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) warnings are on and there may also be a ""Drivetrain…
- 10025586Apr 1, 2008The parking brake warning is illuminated and fault code 6032 is stored. For model e70 (x5).
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 7% |
| 2025 | 30 | 48% |
| 2024 | 90 | 62% |
| 2023 | 3 | 9% |
| 2022 | 6 | 8% |
| 2021 | 6 | 5% |
| 2020 | 6 | 5% |
| 2019 | 13 | 7% |
| 2018 | 3 | 4% |
| 2017 | 8 | 11% |
| 2016 | 2 | 3% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 4 | 4% |
| 2013 | 7 | 5% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 8 | 3% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 10 | 7% |
| 2008 | 16 | 7% |
| 2007 | 13 | 18% |
| 2006 | 29 | 17% |
| 2005 | 15 | 18% |
| 2004 | 2 | 3% |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% |
| 2002 | 6 | 6% |
| 2001 | 11 | 7% |
| 2000 | 3 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2003 BMW X5
24 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsAir bags
15 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 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 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