2003 BMW X5
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 35 of 100 complaints (35%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 102 in 2002 to 100 in 2003.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,850–5,550 | 4,850–5,950 | 4,850–5,550 | 4,850 | 4,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 14–16 | 13–16 | 14–16 | 16 | 16 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 12–14 / 16–19 | 11–14 / 16–19 | 12–14 / 16–19 | 13–14 / 19–20 | 13–14 / 19–20 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 555–635 | 555–684 | 555–635 | 555 | 555 | |
| Complaints filed | 160 | 102 | 100 | 64 | 82 | |
| Recalls issued | 13 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 16 | 7 | 13 | 10 | 5 | |
| Injuries reported | 11 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 10 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2003 BMW X5 have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2003 BMW X5?
Engine: 35 of 100 NHTSA complaints (35%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 BMW X5 get?
EPA rates it 14–16 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 BMW X5?
EPA estimates $4,850–$5,550 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 14 mpg (high) | 19 mpg (high) | 16 mpg (high) | $4,850 (low) | 555 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 14 mpg (high) | 19 mpg (high) | 16 mpg (high) | $4,850 (low) | 555 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 4.4L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 13 mpg | 17 mpg | 14 mpg (low) | $5,550 (high) | 635 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 4.6L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 12 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | $5,550 (high) | 635 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 35 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 17 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 13 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 19V015000 · Jan 31, 2019
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 17V047000 · Jan 26, 2017
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT vehicles, and 2001-2003 X5 3.0i, X5 4.4i, and X5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 15V318000 · May 28, 2015
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. 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.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 03V197000 · Jun 3, 2003
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE STEERING SHAFT JOINT IS NOT SUFFICIENT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BRAKE LINE COULD COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE JOINT AND EVENTUALLY SUFFER DAMAGE AND CORROSION.
Consequence: A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, INDICATED BY A WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, COULD OCCUR. THIS WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY A REDUCTION IN FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE. THIS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE STEERING SHAFT JOINT, AND IF NECESSARY, INCREASE THE DISTANCE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.