2003 BMW X5 Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 7%of 99 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 130,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2003 BMW X5, 7% of the 99 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 130,500 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“I purchased a Bmw X5 and the fail trans light cam on and the gears are shifting out of control. Almost got my son killed. The check engine light came on and the lights flicker on and off. My son was driving when this happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11351088, filed 2020-08, 130,500 miles“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“Parked vehicle, notice smoke coming from underneath hood, turned into fire, heard 'boom,' vehicle exploded, houston fire dept responded and will have report of this incident”
NHTSA complaint #11232480, filed 2019-07, 168,000 miles“My 2003 BMW X5 was parked outside of my house, turned off and not driven for hours and burst into flames consuming the whole dashboard, fire department said that fire was due to some electrical problem with car, very scary please help could of killed my family the incident was recorded on home surveillance footage, but I cannot upload because of size”
NHTSA complaint #11500047, filed 2023-01“The windows keep getting stuck. Not just one but both. We have replaced the windows 3 times. The window regulator keeps getting wound up in the gear. The motor in the window has to keep getting replaced. This is causing the window to get stuck or tight. Which ever you choose to call it. when it gets this way it causes the window to pop the crack or break. This has happened twice. my BMW is still in good shape all but the 2 front windows. This needs to be addressed.”
NHTSA complaint #11446959, filed 2022-01Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 21% |
| 2025 | 5 | 8% |
| 2024 | 9 | 6% |
| 2023 | 8 | 24% |
| 2022 | 17 | 24% |
| 2021 | 18 | 16% |
| 2020 | 16 | 14% |
| 2019 | 31 | 16% |
| 2018 | 11 | 15% |
| 2017 | 9 | 12% |
| 2016 | 14 | 19% |
| 2015 | 19 | 13% |
| 2014 | 9 | 9% |
| 2013 | 18 | 12% |
| 2012 | 14 | 5% |
| 2011 | 20 | 8% |
| 2010 | 13 | 10% |
| 2009 | 9 | 7% |
| 2008 | 12 | 6% |
| 2007 | 4 | 6% |
| 2006 | 6 | 4% |
| 2005 | 4 | 5% |
| 2004 | 3 | 5% |
| 2003 | 7 | 7% |
| 2002 | 5 | 5% |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2003 BMW X5
24 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsAir bags
15 complaintsEngine
11 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 29, 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