2003 BMW X5 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 6%of 99 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 BMW X5, 6% of the 99 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,000 miles.
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.
“The left rear tail light continues to work intermittently. The 'check brake, check rear light' warning illuminates even after bulbs have been replaced. I have replaced the bulbs numerous times, with the most recent being a few days ago. Yet, the warning message reappeared this evening. The problem is similar to those recently investigated by NHTSA on other Bmw models such as the 3 series and is a common complaint in Bmw forums and other forums on the internet.”
NHTSA complaint #10444463, filed 2012-01, 102,000 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“Water gets inside rear lights, causing corrosion, as a result, the lights stop working and a warning light appears on the dashboard check brake lights , check rear lights .”
NHTSA complaint #10537503, filed 2013-08, 114,000 miles“My complaint is about a problem that I believe is getting seriously out of hand -- that of increasing numbers of cars and suvs on the road with extremely bright headlights. I am 52. I don't believe it's a vision problem. For fifty years or so, I generally had no problem with oncoming headlights. Then cars with these new high-intensity beams started appearing on roads. These lights are painful to my eyes. They make it difficult for me to see. I want to avert my eyes but I know I must keep my eyes on the road. …”
NHTSA complaint #10000964, filed 2003-01Related service bulletins
- 10057566Oct 1, 2014Bmw: some vehicles, with 552 option, are experiencing a malfunction of led headlight on one where it flickers on an doff during driving and the control check message is…
- 10040177Mar 1, 2013Bmw: the brake light fails and the bulb holder is deformed due to high temperatures and the composition of the holder. *rm updated on 4/25/2013.
- 10042704Sep 1, 2011Bmw: on certain vehicles, the xenon headlamp often have no trouble found when returned and tested thru warranty parts system. The root cause is not possible to be identify.
- 10037025Aug 1, 2010Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
- 10041804Mar 1, 2010Bmw: the bulb has failed on the daytime running lamp.
- 10025983Jun 1, 2008Bmw: headlamp moisture: fault diagnostics. Water or condensation in one or both headlamps. Models 5 series, 6 series, 7 series, x5, x6, 1 series, and 3 series. Model years…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 5 | 4% |
| 2019 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 11 | 5% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 4 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 5 | 8% |
| 2003 | 6 | 6% |
| 2002 | 8 | 8% |
| 2001 | 9 | 6% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
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 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 30, 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