2003 BMW X5 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 24%of 99 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 BMW X5, 24% of the 99 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have had several problems with my vehicle including failure of suspension system but of concern is when about 2 years ago I was making a u turn at a traffic light, completed the u turn and my engine died. Car came to a stop. I turned off the key and restarted the ignition and engine turned on again. This has never happened again but I am concerned that it might in light of recent articles that Bmw has been having similar problem with newer cars.”
NHTSA complaint #10344973, filed 2010-07, 53,000 miles“1. The weather outside was -10 degrees celsius. 2. I own a 2003 Bmw X5, 4.4 litre engine, v8. The crank case valve froze shut, causing oil to spill into the engine. This problem has occurred twice - once last winter (2010) and this winter (2011). It has cost me a total of $1,600 this year and $3,000 last year to repair. 3. Spark plugs needed to be replaced, engine needs to be cleaned, and a new heater blanket was installed last year, but failed to keep the valve from freezing shut again this year!”
NHTSA complaint #10375523, filed 2011-01, 100,000 miles“Bmw 2003 X5 stalled 3x. Abs, engine failed safe turned on. Irvine Bmw repaired the problem. Last monday oct. 19, 2009 I picked up my vehicle after driving in the freeway for about 10 miles it stalled again for the 3rd time.”
NHTSA complaint #10289363, filed 2009-10, 70,000 miles“While traveling in the middle lane of traffic at 55 MPH my Bmw X5 started pouring smoke from the exhaust and completely shut down leaving me helpless with no power on a major highway.”
NHTSA complaint #10428389, filed 2011-10, 85,000 miles“On 01/15/2009, the extremely chilly day, my wife drove the X5 on route 2 east bound around exit 58 in arlington, ma, the exhaust system suddenly emitted heavy white smoke, but the oil warning light did not turned on at all. My wife pulled over the car and turned off the engine immediately. 15 minutes later, she found the engine was disabled when she tried to restart it. After the car was towed to Bmw service center ,I was informed the car needs the following replacements 'crank case vent valve 'valve cover gaskets and spark plugs 'transfer case the total cost is $1360+$3125= $4485.”
NHTSA complaint #10257184, filed 2009-02, 68,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10247567Dec 20, 2023Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the…
- 10225107Sep 1, 2022Coolant is leaking from under the car which is equipped with the S63 engine. A low coolant warning might also be displayed (CC Message ID166).
- 10053585Sep 1, 2013Bmw: oil leaks from the air hose on turbocharger. This is designated for e70, and e90 models with m57y diesel engines. Service engine soon lamp may be illuminated.
- 10040852Jul 1, 2011Bmw: the service engine soon light is on. There are trouble codes stored for the crankshaft sensor. No driveability issues.
- 10037010Jul 1, 2010Bmw: six different models equipped with the m54 engine could have valve covers break in cold weather and ruin the engine. This is due to moisture accumulation.
- 10036985Jun 1, 2010Bmw: a service engine soon light comes on. The engine will only operate to 1500 rpms and lacks power. There is a software application error.
- 10036982Jun 1, 2010Bmw: there is a rough engine idle and "service engine soon light" when driving downhill in high altitudes during cold weather. There may be six different fault codes.
- 10036981Jun 1, 2010Bmw: warning message on about low diesel exhaust fuel level and that the engine will not restart within 999 miles. The light comes on a few thousand miles earlier than a…
- 10032642Oct 1, 2009Bmw vehicles: diagnosis for low pressure fuel supply faults. The service engine soon lamp is illuminated (a fuel pump malfuction message is displayed in the cc), and a…
- 10029025Mar 1, 2009Bmw: small number of vehicles experience problems ranging from leaking oil filler caps, leaking or broken valve covers, to complete engine failure in extremely cold climate…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 3 | 4% |
| 2021 | 7 | 6% |
| 2020 | 15 | 13% |
| 2019 | 12 | 6% |
| 2018 | 9 | 12% |
| 2017 | 4 | 5% |
| 2016 | 7 | 9% |
| 2015 | 9 | 6% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 6 | 4% |
| 2012 | 12 | 4% |
| 2011 | 10 | 4% |
| 2010 | 13 | 10% |
| 2009 | 6 | 4% |
| 2008 | 16 | 7% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 2 | 3% |
| 2003 | 24 | 24% |
| 2002 | 21 | 21% |
| 2001 | 31 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2003 BMW X5
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 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