2003 BMW X5 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 17%of 99 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 BMW X5, 17% of the 99 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 6 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“This morning 03/13/2020 at aprox. 2:30am my Bmw X5 2003 was engulfed in flames for no reason and my two german shepherds hey you and my baby diesel were inside,and how one made it out and the baby didnt, I busted windows cause I heard him crying ,,,,I couldnt get him I tried to I tried oh my god my poor baby , I was injured and scared for life with that. My car was off and parked in front of a friends house on a side street, all a loss. No pictures taken ,several police and fire dept. Came.”
NHTSA complaint #11317929, filed 2020-03, 199,000 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“Bmw x-5 has caused two accidents by spontanous accelleration - after first accident Bmw was contacted and engineers kept vehicle and determined that cause of accident driver error-we paid for repair of vehicle. Same acceleration happened about six months later on january 7 sending car crashing through front of building - only by miracle people weren't ingured in these accidents (the building was a a retail store). This is a leased vehicle and we don't know what to do. Lso, these incidents have caused our insurance to skyrocket.”
NHTSA complaint #10106009, filed 2005-01, 28,000 miles“October 2002 I purchased a new Bmw X5 - shortly there after I started to experience intermittent electrical problems - headlights would not shut off without re-starting the car, interior lights would not turn off, the flashers would come on, the rear latch would disconnect, the keyless entry into the car would not work, battery was being drained and ultimately the batter wouldn't even hold a charge. After 3-4 months of experiencing these intermittent problems, I insisted the dealer take the car back and let me purchase a 2003 Bmw X5. …”
NHTSA complaint #10010443, filed 2003-03, 610 miles“The car started losing power while on the road. It got slower and slower, till it finally came to a complete stop. It had to be towed the rest of the way to the house. The engine would start up, but it would not engage any of the gears.”
NHTSA complaint #11384008, filed 2020-12, 180,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10245422Nov 22, 2023Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâÂÂs equipment and settings, no acoustic or…
- 10225115Sep 1, 2022Customer is unable to power up or charge accessories through a plug adapter inserted in the front 12-volt power socket plug. Alternatively, it will only operate when constant…
- 10218384Jun 1, 2022Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column. Note…
- 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…
- 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…
- 10147861Dec 1, 2015SI B12 08 08 Engine Electrical Systems December 2015 Technical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B12 08 08 dated April 2008. The vehicle's NOx emissions may…
- 10051971Mar 1, 2013Bmw: batter discharged because of unfavorable driving profile. This is caused on short trips (less than 3 miles) or when the telephone or entertainment system is used for up to…
- 10037078Sep 1, 2010Bmw: the airbag warning lamp is illuminated due to a software error.
- 10037027Aug 1, 2010Bmw: model e70 equipped with an automatic tailgate. The rear tailgate may not operate in either direction due to wiring damage.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 36% |
| 2025 | 8 | 13% |
| 2024 | 25 | 17% |
| 2023 | 8 | 24% |
| 2022 | 16 | 22% |
| 2021 | 38 | 35% |
| 2020 | 39 | 35% |
| 2019 | 72 | 37% |
| 2018 | 15 | 21% |
| 2017 | 17 | 23% |
| 2016 | 23 | 31% |
| 2015 | 13 | 9% |
| 2014 | 15 | 15% |
| 2013 | 21 | 14% |
| 2012 | 29 | 11% |
| 2011 | 19 | 7% |
| 2010 | 23 | 19% |
| 2009 | 16 | 12% |
| 2008 | 35 | 16% |
| 2007 | 9 | 13% |
| 2006 | 20 | 12% |
| 2005 | 15 | 18% |
| 2004 | 10 | 16% |
| 2003 | 17 | 17% |
| 2002 | 16 | 16% |
| 2001 | 24 | 15% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2003 BMW X5
24 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 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 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