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Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)Part report

2003 BMW X5 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems

Complaints
1about this part
Share
1%of 99 total for the year
Median mileage
51,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the visibility of the 2003 BMW X5, 1% of the 99 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,000 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.

“I was driving to work when I got a foul burning smell in the car. I had the heat and defoggers cranking so I lowered the fan speed thinking it was coming in from outside when I noticed smoke forming on the floor of by the passenger seat. At that time I came to a stop light and the car shut off. I was on a busy road and it was very cold out. I tried to crank it and nothing. The second attempt sounded as if someone threw something into a fan. I was towed and advised by the mechanic that the oil separator went causing the spark plugs to fill with oil causing the motor to shut down. …”

NHTSA complaint #10260726, filed 2009-03, 51,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202546%
202453%
202326%
202211%
202133%
202022%
201942%
201834%
201711%
201657%
201521%
201433%
201321%
201231%
201131%
201032%
200921%
200852%
200621%
200458%
200311%
20021414%
2001149%
2000724%

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
Vehicle speed control
5 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 BMW X5

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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