2003 BMW X5 BMW X5 2003

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

2003 BMW X5 repairs by problem area

Engine (39%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (13%)

Brakes and Traction Control (5%)

Suspension and Steering (12%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (20%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)

Other (8%)

Chart based on 95 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2003 BMW X5.

2003 BMW X5 repair cost distribution

$2500+ (5%)

$1000 - $2499 (25%)

$500 - $999 (23%)

$100 - $499 (28%)

< $100 (20%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 65 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2003 BMW X5

Engine not specified

BMW X5 in Georgia, United States
Aug 2014 - Sep 2014
Sep 2014

124000 mi

US $1600
Check engine service light is on, Break light not working Several issues with electrical system including brakes were fixed 
BMW X5 in Colorado, United States
Dec 2013 - Dec 2013
Dec 2013

135000 mi

US $100
replaced a $5 spark plug. 
BMW X5 in Minnesota, United States
Dec 2009 - Jun 2011
Jun 2010

71000 mi

US $350
Service engine soon light on - lean idle mixture, replaced both breather tubes attached to the back of the engine. 

Return to top

2003 BMW X5 4dr SUV

340-horsepower 4.6L V8 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

BMW X5 in Massachusetts, United States
Sep 2012 - Dec 2013
Sep 2012

116000 mi

US $1000
transmission service, coolant tank 
Dec 2013

145000 mi
transmission issues, too expensive to repair, throwing engine failsafe and transmission failsafe 
BMW X5 in Vermont, United States
Aug 2014 - May 2015
Apr 2015

75300 mi

US $2000
Sloppy, humming when warm 
BMW X5 in California, United States
Oct 2011 - Dec 2011
Nov 2011

101000 mi
accessory belt tensioner failed; water pump and thermostat also replaced 
Dec 2011

102000 mi
Brake master cylinder 
BMW X5 in Oregon, United States
Sep 2013 - Jun 2014
Sep 2013

77000 mi

US $2000
Drive belts, brake fluid flush, trans flush, oil change, valve cover gaskets,  ignition coil, rear hatch adjustment 
Nov 2013

78000 mi

US $1100
compressor potentially was been bad due to compressor-like noise. Compressor was repaired, noise is still there. Questions regarding whether the repair should have been done at all. belt tensioner was bad, causing premature wear of both belts; also found cracked overflow tank, replaced coolant carrier bearings were well worn - potentially due to lack of use by previous driver (2k in 2 years). Replaced "gebo" at same time. Steering wheel has squeaky noise. Plastic bearings are bad; located in lower half of the steering column. Requires removal of airbag. 
Dec 2013

79000 mi
Steering wheel has squeaky noise. Plastic bearings are bad; located in lower half of the steering column. Requires removal of airbag. Mechanic replaced bearings, minor noise left, but not like before. 
BMW X5 in Georgia, United States
Nov 2010 - Sep 2014
Jan 2011

97000 mi
Original waterpump failed after 98k miles. replaced waterpump, thermostat, transmission cooler thermostat. flush coolant system Water pump, thermostat, transmission cooler sensor all replaced. These were original parts from when the x5 was new. 
Sep 2014

121000 mi

US $100
Ignition coil went bad 

Return to top

2003 BMW X5 4dr SUV

282-horsepower 4.4L V8 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

BMW X5 in Alberta, Canada
Mar 2012 - Sep 2012
Apr 2012

111600 mi

C $600
Air suspension-airbag and compressor 
BMW X5 in District of Columbia, United States
Jun 2012 - Jul 2012
Jul 2012

60000 mi

US $8000
Transmission Replaced 
BMW X5 in New Mexico, United States
Nov 2010 - Mar 2012
Apr 2011

110000 mi

US $600
Front passenger power window motor died 
BMW X5 in Georgia, United States
Apr 2010 - Jun 2011
Sep 2010

80000 mi

US $500
Replaced fan 
BMW X5 in Saskatchewan, Canada
May 2011 - Nov 2011
Aug 2011

119260 mi

C $1884
Water pump and thermostat leaking, 1004.30 Left rear tail lamp had corrosion causing bad connection, 367.64. Drivers window won't roll all the way up, needed a new regulator, 512.00. 
BMW X5 in Utah, United States
Jul 2015 - Apr 2016
Aug 2015

138000 mi

US $771
Right rear wheel speed sensor needed to be replaced. Replaced right-rear wheel speed sensor. Transmission flush to address very hard and rough downshifting. 
Oct 2015

139800 mi

US $6500
Transmission gears were stripped and required replacement transmission. 
Dec 2015

144000 mi

US $80
Engine inlet to water valve hose failed and needed replacement. 
Feb 2016

144000 mi

US $2000
CCV froze, blew engine seals. Replaced seals, timing chain, and all cooling/heating parts. All except Valve Cover gaskets done successfully. Replaced valve cover gaskets, timing chain tensioner gasket. Replaced lower control arms. 
Apr 2016

144000 mi
ABS Controller was failing, typical of this vehicle, causing the ABS/Brake/TC light trifecta. Also, believe this caused a transmission failure warning. 
BMW X5 in Alberta, Canada
Apr 2009 - Feb 2011
Nov 2009

70060 mi

C $700
Starter 
May 2010

76260 mi

C $800
Had new CV boots and axle put on. Had new CV boots and axel put on. 
Sep 2010

81840 mi

C $700
Had head gaskets replaced 
Nov 2010

83080 mi

C $3605
Steering rod, rear upper control arm, front thrust rid steer. Throttle body. The interior light in the back of the truck fell out, and when I tried to push it back in place it blew the circuit for a ton of stuff in the truck. 
Feb 2011

83080 mi
When sold, water leaking in through sunroof,  there was a small electrical issue with the driver side airbag, and there was a 1500 dollar repair that needed to be done to the wheels (I don't know what it was). I spent an average of $1,100 a month on repairs during the 16 months I owned it. 

Return to top

2003 BMW X5 4dr SUV

225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

BMW X5 in Colorado, United States
Apr 2016 - Jun 2018
Jul 2017

194000 mi

US $220
Passenger side CV boot was torn. Disassemble the wheel axle and steering components. Replaced the torn rubber boot. Coolant reservoir leaks. Need to replace the tank and level sensor. $100. Fan clutch is wobbling. Need a replacement. $100. Valve gasket leaks oil. Need a new replacement part. $20. 
Sep 2017

198000 mi

US $30
Engine leaks oil around valve cover area. Replace the valve cover gasket. 
Mar 2018

201000 mi

US $50
Oil filter housing gasket 
May 2018

202000 mi

US $10
A/C was not cold and compressor ran and then stopped when ambient temperature is ~70-80 degrees. I recharged the A/C unit with some small portion to avoid overcharging the system. 
Jun 2018

202000 mi

US $40
Condenser fan was stuck and resulted in ineffective A/C cooling. 
BMW X5 in California, United States
Dec 2011 - Mar 2013
Sep 2012

106000 mi

US $800
replaced alternator 
Mar 2013

108000 mi

US $1200
Fix oil leaks. The factory HID headlight lenses were cloudy and could not be buffed out with standard restoration methods. Replace headlight assemblies. It was going to need a new water pump, valve cover gaskets and had another small oil leak. The AM on the radio barely worked. The driver's side door latch was acting up even though I had it replaced last year - unknown how long it will keep working. 
BMW X5 in British Columbia, Canada
Mar 2010 - Jun 2015
Jun 2011

79360 mi

C $300
CV boot leaked again 10,000 kms after being replaced last (Dec 2009) 
Oct 2013

95360 mi

C $1700
control arms replace valve cover gasket 
Aug 2014

102920 mi

C $30
Window regulator clip on front driver side 
Nov 2014

103740 mi

C $600
PCV Hoses, Oil Separater 
BMW X5 in California, United States
Feb 2008 - Jun 2011
Mar 2008

50000 mi

US $1000
recharge ac, replace left front boot seal 
Mar 2010

28000 mi

US $1500
evaporator repair 
BMW X5 in Kentucky, United States
Dec 2009 - Mar 2012
Jan 2010

91000 mi

US $800
crank case vent valve failure. cold weather kit ordered and being installed front right side axle shaft failure. new part ordered and being installed thermostat failure, ordered part and being installed 
Mar 2010

93000 mi

US $350
front drivers side brake caliper locked up, would not release. Required new caliper and replaced pads. 
Jan 2011

111000 mi

US $250
cold weather crank case vent valve malfunction causing crank case gasket to blow out. replaced gasket. drivers side door handle malfunction due to freezing rain. replaced door handle 
Nov 2011

119400 mi

US $650
ball joint-steering arm on passengers side 
Mar 2012

123000 mi
transmission slippage - oil loss - cause unknown 
BMW X5 in New Jersey, United States
May 2011 - Apr 2013
Apr 2013

120000 mi

US $400
Replace tension and idle pulleys Replace rear wiper plastic cover, front wiper blades, plastic cover for the headlight washer, plastic insert for changes, oil and filter change, air filter replace with K&N filter. Needed to replace the high pressure hose 
BMW X5 in Illinois, United States
Aug 2012 - Oct 2012
Sep 2012

61000 mi

US $100
Wiring issue with rear lights and brake lights 
BMW X5 in Pennsylvania, United States
Dec 2009 - Feb 2013
Jan 2010

61000 mi

US $1000
CCV valve and hoses frozen and clogged 
Mar 2011

73000 mi

US $800
CV boot needed to be replaced 
Jan 2012

85000 mi

US $1700
Crankcase control valve Wheel bearing 
May 2012

89300 mi

US $125
Final Stage Unit for climate control failed. It was replaced with new part. 
Sep 2012

91000 mi

US $325
Leak from fuel sender under rear seat. Gas leaking after fill up. 
Dec 2012

94000 mi

US $400
water pump and belt replacement 
BMW X5 in Texas, United States
Jul 2012 - Aug 2012
Aug 2012

67000 mi
Wiring harness to AC compressor was broken causing air to blow hot. 

Return to top

2003 BMW X5 4dr SUV

225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed manual AWD

BMW X5 in Ontario, Canada
Feb 2010 - Jun 2012
Jan 2010

70 mi

C $200
replace battery, inconsistant voltage, some modules displaying inaccurate warning messages (engine failsafe, braking...etc) 
Mar 2010

73780 mi

C $1100
air intake sensor malfunctioning, causing poor fuel mix and severe hesitation 
Aug 2010

76260 mi

C $900
fan and compressor needed repplaced 
Aug 2011

88040 mi

C $1100
tie rod, ball joint 
Jun 2012

99820 mi

C $400
power window failed, cable broke 

Return to top

2003 BMW X5 4-door

6-cylinder automatic AWD

BMW X5 in Connecticut, United States
Jan 2013 - Sep 2015
Jul 2013

135200 mi

US $1740
overflow tank exploded causing loss of coolant and fluids. overflow tank replace and fan behind front grill of car replaced. interior driver's side door handle and exterior drivers door would not open. Dealer replaced internal casing. 
Apr 2014

145300 mi

US $250
passenger side brake light not working. 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs
See TrueDelta's information for all BMW models.

2003 BMW X5 Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2003 BMW X5 problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.