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Vehicle speed controlPart report

2003 BMW X5 Vehicle speed control Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
5%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 5 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2003 BMW X5, 5% of the 99 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 130,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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

“While driving on a freeway at about 80 miles per hour, with the cruise control on, it was necessary to dis-engage the cruise control for a slower vehicle. When I then applied my foot to the gas pedal, it suddenly felt unstable and wobbly. I found it difficult to maintain steady pressure on it and maintain my speed in heavy freeway traffic. I was very uncomfortable with the situation. Fortunately I was just 20 miles from my destination, and I was able to very carefully and repeatedly re-position my foot on the gas pedal to maintain speed in heavy traffic. …”

NHTSA complaint #10471730, filed 2012-08, 33,500 miles

“Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Bmw X5. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed attempting to engaged the brakes, the vehicle began to accelerate at full speed. The vehicle crashed into a tree. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. Pam”

NHTSA complaint #10644872, filed 2014-10, 140,000 miles

“2003 Bmw X5 recall for service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings 2003 Bmw X5 recall for air bags, frontal, driver side inflator module the affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture. The speedometer/odometer stops working while driving and doesnt go into first gear also shows car overheating but it hasnt overheated. …”

NHTSA complaint #10990584, filed 2017-05, 150,000 miles

“2003 Bmw X5 the brake pedal moves below the accelerator pedal in a emergency stop causing the car to accelerate untill the foot is moved more centeral to the brake.”

NHTSA complaint #10050912, filed 2003-12, 3,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Vehicle speed control: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026414%
202558%
202453%
2022710%
202144%
202022%
201942%
201811%
201711%
201634%
201511%
201444%
201311%
201210%
201173%
201022%
200911%
200884%
200734%
200632%
200511%
200423%
200355%
200222%
200132%
200013%

Other parts of the 2003 BMW X5

Engine cooling
24 complaints
Electrical system
17 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
16 complaints
Air bags
15 complaints
Engine
11 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Seats
7 complaints
Exterior lighting
6 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints
Latches, 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