2003 BMW X5 complaints

THE LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT CONTINUES TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE 'CHECK BRAKE, CHECK REAR LIGHT' WARNING ILLUMINATES EVEN AFTER BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS NUMEROUS TIMES, WITH THE MOST RECENT BEING A FEW DAYS AGO. YET, THE WARNING MESSAGE REAPPEARED THIS EVENING. THE PROBLEM IS SIMILAR TO THOSE RECENTLY INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA ON OTHER BMW MODELS SUCH AS THE 3 SERIES AND IS A COMMON COMPLAINT IN BMW FORUMS AND OTHER FORUMS ON THE INTERNET.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHANGE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHANGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

WHILE TRAVELING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF TRAFFIC AT 55 MPH MY BMW X5 STARTED POURING SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN LEAVING ME HELPLESS WITH NO POWER ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. *TR

2003 BMW X5 4.4I TRANSFER CASE/FRONT DRIVE SHAFT FAILED LEAVING CAR STRANDED ON A RAILROAD CROSSING WITH NO POWER. RR LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLASH BUT MANAGED TO PUSH CAR OFF TRACKS IN TIME ONCE WE FOUND HELP (TOO HEAVY TO PUSH ALONE). SAME FAILURE AT 90K MILES HAD STRANDED CAR ON A LOCAL STREET ABOUT 2.5 YEARS EARLIER. BMW REPLACED TRANSFER CASE AND FRONT DRIVE SHAFT UNDER CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED WARRANTY. CURRENT FAILURE OCCURRED ON TRANSFER CASE/DRIVE SHAFT LESS THAN 40K MILES / 2.5 YEARS OLD. SAME FAILURE IS WELL DOCUMENTED WITH NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS ON VARIOUS INTERNET MESSAGE BOARDS. RESEARCH SUGGESTS THE FAILURE IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW INVOLVING INSUFFICIENT SPLINE ENGAGEMENT AND POOR PLACEMENT OF A/C CONDENSATE DRAIN DIRECTLY ABOVE TRANSFER CASE / SHAFT CONNECTION CAUSING ACCELERATED RUSTING OF DRIVE SHAFT SPLINES WHICH EVENTUALLY WEAKEN AND STRIP OUT. ATTEMPTED TO GET BMW TO COVER REPAIR OUT-OF-WARRANTY DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES OF EARLY FAILURE OF A DRIVETRAIN PART. MULTIPLE CALLS (MESSAGES FOR SERVICE MANAGERS) TO TWO LOCAL DEALERSHIPS WENT UNRETURNED. CALL TO BMWNA WAS UNHELPFUL - WOULD NOT TAKE ANY ACTION UNTIL CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AT MY EXPENSE AND WOULD (AT BEST) BE REPAIRED WITH SAME PARTS OF POOR DESIGN. *TR *KB

2003 BMW X5 RADIATOR CRACKED DURING DRIVING AND WATER SPILLED. CAR WAS IDLING AND SMOKY SMELL AND OIL PRESS, STOP ENGINE PROBLEMS. HAD 2 CHILDREN IN THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AND SEEMS LIKE CONNECTION/HOSE PROBLEMS WHICH DO NOT ALLOW THE ENGINE TO WORK PROPERLY. DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR, WON'T HOLD THE COOLANT WATER IN. A CAR THIS EXPENSIVE SHOULD NOT BE SO DEFECTIVE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OBSERVED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF DRIVER SEAT. SLOWLY FELT THE HEAT SENSATION GROWING STRONGER IN THE AREA. ALMOST IN A PANIC, AND AT GREAT RISK TO MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD, TRIED TO NAVIGATE THROUGH TRAFFIC ON THE BUSY STREET, TO THE RIGHT HAND TURN LANE, WHILE TRYING TO AVOID WHAT WAS OBVIOUSLY GROWING INTO A FIRE IN THE SEAT. HAD TO AVOID SITTING IN THAT AREA OF THE SEAT, WHILE KEEPING THE SEAT BELT ON IN CASE THERE WAS A CRASH. FINALLY MADE IT TO A PARKING LOT AND JUMPED OUT. THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT THAT WAS SMOLDERING. THE SEAT HEATER HAD BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT. TRIED TO FIND SOMETHING TO DOUSE IT OUT WITH BEFORE IT SPREAD TO OTHER PARTS OF THE SEAT. ALSO, DISCOVERED THAT MY PANTS WERE STILL SMOLDERING ON THE REAR LEFT LEG TOWARDS THE HIP AREA. THERE WERE TWO HOLES BURNED INTO THE PANTS FROM CONTACT WITH THE BURNING SEAT. CALLED THE DEALER AND SCHEDULED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. CALLED BMW NA, WHO SAID THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER SUCH INCIDENTS AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER. THEIR ATTITUDE ALSO SEEMED VERY LAISSEZ-FAIRE ABOUT THE WHOLE THING, SEEMINGLY NOT TO CARE SINCE I WASN'T REPORTING ANY INJURIES. JUST THE FACT THAT MY SEAT WAS ON FIRE AND I BARELY AVOIDED GETTING IN A CRASH AND GETTING BURNED, WHILE MY PANTS ACTUALLY DID GET BURNED! MEANWHILE RESEARCHED THE INCIDENT AND FOUND ONE CASE REPORTED ON THIS VERY NHTSA WEBSITE, SEVERAL OTHERS ON THE X5 ON VARIOUS FORUMS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE OIL SEPARATOR WAS LEAKING AND DRAINED ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE AND ENGINE ABNORMALLY, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR IN COLD TEMPERATURES. THE OIL SEPARATOR WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,200.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH SMOKE STARTING COMING THROUGH THE VENTS WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CCV VALVE FROZE CAUSING AN OIL SPILLAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 58,076. UPDATED 3/14/11 *CN ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL EXCESSIVELY. UPDATED 06/24/11

DRIVE ONE MILE ONE 1 IN 22 DEGREE WEATHER BMW 2003 X5 BEGIN TO BLOW THICK WHITE SMOKE FROM EXHAUST PIPES AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THERE WERE NO INDICATOR LIGHTS THAT WARN THERE WAS A PROBLEM. *TR

COLD WEATHER (NEW YORK WINTER). 2003 BMW X5, 3.0 ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. OIL SEPARATOR AND VALVE COVER GASKET FAULTY. THE CRANK CASE VALVE FREEZES, CAUSING OIL TO SPILL INTO THE ENGINE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE TIMES. 1. FEB 13 2008 2. JAN 28 2009 AND 3. JAN 2011. TOTAL COST FOR USED ENGINE $6,000 THIS YEAR AND $3000 IN 2008/2009 TO REPAIR. SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ENGINE NEEDED TO BE CLEANED 2008 AND DEFECTIVE DISA VALVE REPLACED 2009.

1. THE WEATHER OUTSIDE WAS -10 DEGREES CELSIUS. 2. I OWN A 2003 BMW X5, 4.4 LITRE ENGINE, V8. THE CRANK CASE VALVE FROZE SHUT, CAUSING OIL TO SPILL INTO THE ENGINE. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE - ONCE LAST WINTER (2010) AND THIS WINTER (2011). IT HAS COST ME A TOTAL OF $1,600 THIS YEAR AND $3,000 LAST YEAR TO REPAIR. 3. SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ENGINE NEEDS TO BE CLEANED, AND A NEW HEATER BLANKET WAS INSTALLED LAST YEAR, BUT FAILED TO KEEP THE VALVE FROM FREEZING SHUT AGAIN THIS YEAR! *TR

NO EVENT NECESSARY LEADING UP TO FAILURE AIR STRUT FAILED WHICH CAUSES A SIGNIFICANT STEERING AND HANDLING PROBLEM BECAUSE THE COMPUTER THINKS THE CAR IS IN A POSSIBLE ROLL, AND BEGINS TO COMPENSATE BY AUTOMATICALLY BRAKING. I HAVE REPLACED THREE AIR STRUTS - ALL IN THE FRONT OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE COST IS APPROXIMATELY $2,000 PER. THE AIR STRUT OPTION WAS NOT ON VERY MANY BMW X5 AUTOS - BUT THEY ARE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WHEN THEY FAIL. THE DEALER REPLACE THE FIRST ONE - AND WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT COULD BE "DANGEROUS". *TR

DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTION CAUSING A HOLE TO BURN THROUGH LEATHER AND NEARLY CREATED FIRE. WHEN HEATER IS TURNED ON IT CREATES AN INTENSE AND CONCENTRATED HEAT ON SEAT BOLSTER TOO HOT TO TOUCH. REPLACEMENT FROM DEALER IS OVER $700 AND ITS BEEN REPORTED ON NUMEROUS FORUMS THAT THIS IS A DEFECT. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 BMW X5 4.4. WHICH SEEMS TO VIBRATE/JERK BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH. THE FIRST TIME (2009) I WENT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY TIRE WHICH I DID. THIS DID NOT HELP. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND NOW THEY TELL ME I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE, I AM LEARNING MANY OTHER BMW OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. I AM CURIOUS TO KNOW IF THIS IS A DEFECT. *TR

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE INCLUDING FAILURE OF SUSPENSION SYSTEM BUT OF CONCERN IS WHEN ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO I WAS MAKING A U TURN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, COMPLETED THE U TURN AND MY ENGINE DIED. CAR CAME TO A STOP. I TURNED OFF THE KEY AND RESTARTED THE IGNITION AND ENGINE TURNED ON AGAIN. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT IT MIGHT IN LIGHT OF RECENT ARTICLES THAT BMW HAS BEEN HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH NEWER CARS. *TR

2003 BMW X5 CCV "OIL SEPARATOR VALVE" HAS ISSUES IN COLD WEATHER AND IS KNOWN TO FAIL. THE PROBLEM RELATES TO A NON PROPER DESIGN WHERE THE VALVE CAN FREEZE. THE ENGINE BLOCK CAN THEN BLOW OIL AND CAUSE FIRE. BEFORE IT BLOWS THE BLOCK THE ENGINE WILL HAVE "HARD STARTS" WHICH WILL PUSH FROZEN OIL THROUGH THE SEPARATOR. IF THE CCV FAILS IT WILL COMPLETELY BLOW YOUR ENGINE GASKETS. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THEIR IS A BMW X5 SERVICE BULLETIN THAT THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT. BMW WILL NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE UNTIL IT BLOWS. IT IS A MAJOR MALFUNCTION THAT IS NOT ONLY EXPENSIVE TO FIX WELL OVER THE 3000 BUT VERY DANGEROUS. I THINK AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE BMW PROBLEM SHOULD BE LOOKED CLOSELY. *TR

PASSENGER-AIRBAG-DISABLED WARNING LAMP COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT. PROBLEM FIRST NOTED IN 2007, BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. DEALER CHECKED AND FOUND DEFECTIVE SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR, BUT REPLACEMENT QUOTED AT $800 NOTE - THIS IS A BMW MODEL X3 BUT YOUR WEB FORM DID NOT LIST X3 SO I SELECTED X5. *TR

SEAT BELT LATCH BROKEN. *TR

BMW 2003 X5 STALLED 3X. ABS, ENGINE FAILED SAFE TURNED ON. IRVINE BMW REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. LAST MONDAY OCT. 19, 2009 I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY FOR ABOUT 10 MILES IT STALLED AGAIN FOR THE 3RD TIME. *TR

THE DRAIN VALVE IN 2003 BMW X5 DISINTEGRATES DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT, IT IS INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE AND IS A SOURCE OF LEAKS AND IF NOT REPLACED WOULD CASE THE RADIATOR TO DRAIN OUT, CAUSING OVERHEATING AND RUINING THE ENGINE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED ON BMW OWNER WEBSITES. HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=154553 HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=287894. *TR

80K ON MY BMW X5 AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED. *TR

THE ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AT THE TIME THE ENGINE STALLED; LIGHT, WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM THE EXHAUST. THE CAR AND ENGINE SEEMED TO OPERATE FINE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES PRIOR. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME UP OR SMOKE CAME FROM THE EXHAUST DURING THE 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING. REGULAR ENGINE AND OIL CHANGES WERE PREVIOUSLY DONE. THE MECHANIC IS SAYING A NEW ENGINE IS REQUIRED. *TR

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. BMW ADVISED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE A KIT TO UPGRADE THE WHOLE MECHANISM. I WAS READING EDMUND BLOGS AND A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM COSTING ANYWHERE FROM $1300 - $6000 DEPENDING ON THE DAMAGE. I HAD MISSED WORK THE DAY BEFORE DUE TO A SNOW STORM. I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF I HAD BEEN CAUGHT IN BAD WEATHER OR ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH I TAKE TO WORK. THIS IS GOING TO BE AN EXPENSIVE FIX AND BMW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. WHY ISN'T IT A RECALL? WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN BEFORE IT IS? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS IN TRYING TO RECOVER MY EXPENSES. THE CAR HAS ALL OF 51000 MILES ON IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANELS LIGHT BEGAN TO DIM AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE FRONT AND REAR LIGHTS STAYED ON AND THE DOOR LOCKS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER FOUND COMMUNICATIONS FAULTS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. UPDATED 03/12/09. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THEN COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, LOSING ALL POWER AND ELECTRICITY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE OIL SEPARATOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 83,000.

I OWN A 2003 X5. I LIVE IN NY. WHENEVER THE WEATHER GOES BELOW 20 DEGREES MY DOOR LOCKS FREEZE. I AM ABLE TO PULL OPEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, BUT ONCE I GET IN AND TRY TO CLOSE IT THE DOOR SWINGS BACK OPEN. I HAVE PULLED THE DOOR CLOSED AND MANUALLY PUSHED DOWN THE LOCK, BUT WHEN I TRY TO EXIT THE CAR I AM LOCKED IN. THE LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN AND I AM STUCK IN THE CAR UNTIL IT WARMS UP. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES THAT I HAD TO CRAWL OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO GET OUT. THE WINDOWS WILL NOT GO DOWN AND THE LOCKS WILL NOT ENGAGE. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATE THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. I HAVE HAD TO SIT IN THE CAR OVER 30 MINUTES IN ORDER FOR THE LOCKS TO UNFREEZE SO THAT I CAN EXIT THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. MAYBE THE LOCKS CAN HAVE SOME TYPE OF PROTECTIVE MATERIAL PUT ON THEM SO THEY DO NOT SUCCUMB TO FREEZING TEMPERATURES SO EASILY. I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK SPECIFICALLY FOR THE WINTER AND FIND IT TROUBLING THAT THE WINTER IS THE WORST TIME FOR THIS VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES THIS WINTER SO FAR AND WE ARE ONLY IN FEBRUARY WITH MANY MORE COLD DAYS TO COME. *TR

ON 01/15/2009, THE EXTREMELY CHILLY DAY, MY WIFE DROVE THE X5 ON ROUTE 2 EAST BOUND AROUND EXIT 58 IN ARLINGTON, MA, THE EXHAUST SYSTEM SUDDENLY EMITTED HEAVY WHITE SMOKE, BUT THE OIL WARNING LIGHT DID NOT TURNED ON AT ALL. MY WIFE PULLED OVER THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY. 15 MINUTES LATER, SHE FOUND THE ENGINE WAS DISABLED WHEN SHE TRIED TO RESTART IT. AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO BMW SERVICE CENTER ,I WAS INFORMED THE CAR NEEDS THE FOLLOWING REPLACEMENTS 'CRANK CASE VENT VALVE 'VALVE COVER GASKETS AND SPARK PLUGS 'TRANSFER CASE THE TOTAL COST IS $1360+$3125= $4485. *TR

THIS PAST WEEK CONNECTICUT HIT A VERY COLD SPELL. 0*F. CRANK CASE VENT VALVE FROZE. AS A RESULT, TREMENDOUS PRESSURE BUILT INSIDE THE CRANK CASE, THE OIL CAP BLEW OFF AND THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IN THE 2003 MODEL YEAR AND THAT IT IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM IN VERY COLD WEATHER. WE HAVE ALSO LEARNT THE 2003 MODEL HAS A DESIGN FLAW WHERE THE VALVE IS NOT INSULATED AND NEWER MODELS HAVE CHANGED THE DESIGN TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PART REPLACED BY DEALER. WE WERE LUCKY OUR ENGINE DID NOT FAIL COMPLETELY. SINCE THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN BY BMW, AND IS A CLEAR DESIGN DEFECT. SHOULDN'T IT BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH HE NOTICED A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE THE RPM'S WOULD RISE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE BEFOREHAND AND WAS NOT IN A CRASH DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE DIFFERENTIAL FAILED. THE VIN IS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 48000.

WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE CAR (2003 BMW X5) WILL STALL. THE STALLING HAS OCCURRED IN TRAFFIC AND IN PARKING LOTS. *TR

CRANKCASE VENT VALVE FROZE & BLEW OFF OIL CAP. OIL ALL OVER ENGINE. REPLACED CRANKCASE VENT VALUE, W/ NON ORIGINAL, & ALL HOSES. REMOVED & CLEANED OUT DIPSTICK TUBE, DISTRIBUTION PIECE. REMOVED LOWER ENGINE SPLASH PAN & STIFFENING PLATE. DE-GREASED TOP & BOTTOM OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS PROPENSITY FOR THE CRANKCASE TO FREEZE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN COLD WEATHER STATES. THE AUTO IS SOLD IN THE COLD WEATHER STATES REGARDLESS. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A SLOW LEFT HAND TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, BUT RESTARTED EACH TIME. THE DEALERSHIP REPROGRAMMED THE DME WITH VERSION 43 AND SET THE MINIMUM IDLE TO 750, THIS HAS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 06/27/06 *JB THE CONSUMERS WIFE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM.

2003 X5 BMW THREE SPOKE STEERING WHEEL HAS A ONE-INCH GAP IN ONE OF THE SPOKES. I GOT MY FINGER CAUGHT IN THERE A COUPLE OF TIMES WHILE DRIVING. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE RAISED ALL THE WAY TO THE RED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THERE WASN'T ANY SMOKE OR ANY OTHER INDICATORS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. SHE CONTACTED HER DEALER, AND WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

PREMATURE WEAR OF REAR TIRES: THE FACTORY SET ANGLE OF CAMBER LEADS TO SEVERE CUPPING OF THE REAR TIRES ON A 2003 BMW X5 4.4 AFTER 30000 MILES, CORD IS SHOWING ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. (BRIDGESTONE TURANZA ER30(TZ) 285-45R19 107V). DEALER SAID THIS IS NORMAL WEAR. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER SAID THE VEHICLE IS SETUP WITH HIGH NEGATIVE CAMBER BECAUSE IT IS MEANT TO BE DRIVEN AT 100 MPH. THE REST OF THE TREAD IS NORMAL, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN CONSERVATIVELY, AND THE TIRE PRESSURE IS CHECKED OFTEN. REPAIR INCLUDES REPLACING THE REAR TIRES AND A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT. ($800). *NM

BMW X-5 HAS CAUSED TWO ACCIDENTS BY SPONTANOUS ACCELLERATION - AFTER FIRST ACCIDENT BMW WAS CONTACTED AND ENGINEERS KEPT VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT CAUSE OF ACCIDENT DRIVER ERROR-WE PAID FOR REPAIR OF VEHICLE. SAME "ACCELERATION" HAPPENED ABOUT SIX MONTHS LATER ON JANUARY 7 SENDING CAR CRASHING THROUGH FRONT OF BUILDING - ONLY BY MIRACLE PEOPLE WEREN'T INGURED IN THESE ACCIDENTS (THE BUILDING WAS A A RETAIL STORE). THIS IS A LEASED VEHICLE AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. LSO, THESE INCIDENTS HAVE CAUSED OUR INSURANCE TO SKYROCKET.*AK

DRIVING BMW X5 AT 50 MPH, FRONT DIFFERENTIAL LOCKS UP TAKING VEHICLE FROM 50 MPH TO APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN ABOUT 1 SECOND THEN DIFFERENTIAL FAILS. GEAR OIL SPRAYED ON HOT EXHAUST AND ENGINE, CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD, PASSENGER (MY WIFE) JUMPS OUT WHEN WE STOPPED THINKING CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE (SMOKE AND STRONG BURNING SMELL FROM OIL). DEALER HAD CAR TOWED TO SHOP, HAD TO REPLACE FORWARD DRIVE TRAIN. CAR WAS IN SHOP 4 DAYS. MY WIFE WILL NOT RIDE IN CAR AGAIN, SHE ALMOST IMPACTED THE DASH WHEN AXEL LOCKED UP, HAD ROAD BEEN WET OR ICY, WE COULD HAVE VERY EASILY LOST CONTROL. HAD A VEHICLE BEEN BEHIND US, VERY LIKELY THEY WOULD HAVE RUN INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR IT STOPPED SO FAST AND UNEXPECTEDLY. FELT LIKE WE RAN OVER A LARGE TREE IN THE ROAD BUT THE ROAD WAS PERFECTLY CLEAR. IMMEDIATELY TRADED THE CAR AND BOUGHT ANOTHER VEHICLE, BELIEVE NTSB NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SEE IF IT HAPPENS ELSEWHERE, VERY SCARY TO HAVE CAR WHEELS LOCK UP ON THE HIGHWAY AT ANY SPEED. *JB

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH AND VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, AND DROVE ROUGHLY. A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON THEN OFF. CONSUMER DROVE IT TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TWO IGNITION COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. *AK

THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE IN MOTION. PURCHASED AN X5 IN DECEMBER 2002. PRIOR TO REACHING 400 TOTAL MILES, THE CAR STALLED TWICE WHILE IN MOTION, THUS CAUSING ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS TO FAIL. THE DEALER REPORTED THE PROBLEM SOLVED. LAST WEEK, WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH THROUGH THE EZ PASS LANES ON THE PA TURNPIKE, THE CAR STALLED, ONCE AGAIN LOSING POWER WHILE IN MOTION. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME AS THEY WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY REAR ENDED MY VEHICLE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT ANOTHER CUSTOMER HAD THIS PROBLEM. I DROPPED THE CAR OFF ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2004, THE DEALER HAS YET TO DIAGNOSE THIS RECURRING PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DASHBOARD LIGHT/HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF. THIS HAPPENED 90% OF THE TIME WHEN THE HEATER FOR THE SEATS WAS USED. *AK

I HAVE A NEW BMW 3.0 X5 WITH 3,500 MILES AND HAD MY VEHICLE DIE AND REQUIRING TOWING TO THE DEALER WITH A CRANK CASE VALVE FREEZE UP DRAINING OIL ALL THRU THE ENGINE AND REQUIRING A NON ORIGINAL DESIGNED REPLACEMENT VALVE THAT NO SERICE TECH FEELS WITH BE RELIABLE BELOW 10 DEGREES ABOVE ZERO. I LIVE IN MINNESOTA AND THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR A NEW VEHICLE IN THIS WEATHER. NOW MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER RELIABLE AND IT PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THIS COULD HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY OR ANY WHERE. NO GUARANTEES OF IT NOT HAPPENING AGAIN. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER NEW ONLY FIVE MONTHS AGO. *AK

THE OIL SEPERATOR COULD CRACKS IN COLD WEATHER CAUSING OIL TO SPREAD ALL OVER.

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. *AK

MODEL X5 RPM'S INCREASED RAPIDLY WITH NO PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR.*MR *TS *JB

OCTOBER 2002 I PURCHASED A NEW BMW X5 - SHORTLY THERE AFTER I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS - HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT SHUT OFF WITHOUT RE-STARTING THE CAR, INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF, THE FLASHERS WOULD COME ON, THE REAR LATCH WOULD DISCONNECT, THE KEYLESS ENTRY INTO THE CAR WOULD NOT WORK, BATTERY WAS BEING DRAINED AND ULTIMATELY THE BATTER WOULDN'T EVEN HOLD A CHARGE. AFTER 3-4 MONTHS OF EXPERIENCING THESE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS, I INSISTED THE DEALER TAKE THE CAR BACK AND LET ME PURCHASE A 2003 BMW X5. I RECEIVED THE NEWEST BMW X5 ON FEBRUARY 26, 2003 AND ON MARCH 10, 2003, I STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS AGAIN! THIS TIME, WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED ON, THE FLASHERS CAME ON AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT SHUT OFF WITHOUT ME OPENING THE DOOR AND CLOSING IT AGAIN - I HAD TO MANUALLY SHUT OFF THE FLASHERS. MINUTES LATER AFTER DRIVING THE CAR, I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND USED THE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM TO LOCK THE CAR AND ARM THE ALARM. I WASN'T ABLE TO LOCK THE CAR DOORS BUT THE ALARM WAS ACTIVATED. I HAD TO TURN THE ALARM OFF AND OPEN THE DOOR AND CLOSE IT AGAIN. THEN I WAS ABLE TO LOCK IT. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER SINCE AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. *JB

I OWN A 2003 BMW X5 3,0. THE VEHICLE IS LESS THEN TWO MONTH OLD. THE CARS MAIN AND ALL OTHER HEADLIGHTS WILL COMPLETELY GO DARK IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. I TRIED PANICALLY TO PLAY WITH THE SWITCH BUT TO NO AVAIL. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND IS A REAL SERIOUS & DANGEROUS ISSUE. THE LIGHTSD WILL THEN SOMETIME LATER WILL RESTORE AND SOMETIES WILL FUNCTION WELL FOR 24 HOURS OR SO. SOME TIMES ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT WILL COME ON, ETC. I BEEN ON THE ROADFLY.COM- A CHAT ROOM WHICH IS THE MOSY IMPORTANT BMW CHAT LINE AND THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL. IT IS MAYBE THE MOST SERIOUS HAZARDOUS PROBLEM ONE CAN HAVE WITH A CAR--IMAGINE THE LIGHTS GO DARK IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. THE DEALER CANT SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH ADMITS THAT THERE IS ONE. REAL SCARY STUFF AND NEEDS IMMIDATE INTERVENTION!!!! SCARY!!! PLEASE TAKE ACTION ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED!!!.

I OWN A 2003 BMW X5 3,0. THE VEHICLE IS LESS THEN TWO MONTH OLD. THE CARS MAIN AND ALL OTHER HEADLIGHTS WILL COMPLETELY GO DARK IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. I TRIED PANICALLY TO PLAY WITH THE SWITCH BUT TO NO AVAIL. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND IS A REAL SERIOUS & DANGEROUS ISSUE. THE LIGHTSD WILL THEN SOMETIME LATER WILL RESTORE AND SOMETIES WILL FUNCTION WELL FOR 24 HOURS OR SO. SOME TIMES ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT WILL COME ON, ETC. I BEEN ON THE ROADFLY.COM- A CHAT ROOM WHICH IS THE MOSY IMPORTANT BMW CHAT LINE AND THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL. IT IS MAYBE THE MOST SERIOUS HAZARDOUS PROBLEM ONE CAN HAVE WITH A CAR--IMAGINE THE LIGHTS GO DARK IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. THE DEALER CANT SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH ADMITS THAT THERE IS ONE. REAL SCARY STUFF AND NEEDS IMMIDATE INTERVENTION!!!! SCARY!!! PLEASE TAKE ACTION ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED!!!.

MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT A PROBLEM THAT I BELIEVE IS GETTING SERIOUSLY OUT OF HAND -- THAT OF INCREASING NUMBERS OF CARS AND SUVS ON THE ROAD WITH EXTREMELY BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS.*JB I AM 52. I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S A VISION PROBLEM. FOR FIFTY YEARS OR SO, I GENERALLY HAD NO PROBLEM WITH ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS. THEN CARS WITH THESE NEW HIGH-INTENSITY BEAMS STARTED APPEARING ON ROADS. THESE LIGHTS ARE PAINFUL TO MY EYES. THEY MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SEE. I WANT TO AVERT MY EYES BUT I KNOW I MUST KEEP MY EYES ON THE ROAD. AT FIRST I HOPED THEY WOULD JUST GO AWAY OR BE OUTLAWED, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE AS MORE NEW VEHICLES WITH THESE LIGHTS ENTER THE ROAD. COMBINE HIGH-INTENSITY LIGHTS WITH AN SUV AND IT IS A PAINFUL AND BLINDING EXPERIENCE TO HAVE ONE OF THESE VEHICLES COMING HEAD-ON OR FROM BEHIND, WITH THE LIGHTS REFLECTING IN MY REARVIEW MIRRORS. I SEE NO SENSE IN MAKING IT EASIER FOR THOSE WITH THESE OFFENSIVE LIGHTS TO SEE BETTER WHEN IT BLINDS EVERYONE ELSE. BUT SOON EVERYONE WILL BE BLINDED WHEN ALL CARS HAVE THEM -- UNLESS IT IS STOPPED NOW. PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN TO GET THESE BRIGHT LIGHTS OFF THE ROAD AND LET PEOPLE GO BACK TO THE TYPE OF HEADLIGHTS THAT WORKED JUST FINE FOR 100 YEARS. THANK YOU, WES COGAN