2003 BMW X5 engine and engine cooling problems
24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 2003 BMW X5 — 24% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Oil separator malfunctioned in cold temperatures. When driving experienced smoke under the hood and was forced to pull over. Drove slowly with hazards to nearest mechanic and incurred $1,955 in repair charge. Mechanic informed me that this was becoming a popular defect with the oem oil separator on…”
filed Mar 20, 2012
“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.”
filed Dec 16, 2011
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Coolant is leaking from under the car which is equipped with the S63 engine. A low coolant warning might also be displayed (CC Message ID166).
B170222 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2022
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other X5 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 X5 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 X5 | 3 | 5% |
| 2021 X5 | 6 | 6% |
| 2020 X5 | 14 | 14% |
| 2019 X5 | 11 | 6% |
| 2018 X5 | 9 | 13% |
| 2017 X5 | 4 | 5% |
| 2016 X5 | 7 | 10% |
| 2015 X5 | 8 | 5% |
| 2014 X5 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 X5 | 6 | 4% |
| 2012 X5 | 12 | 4% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2003 BMW X5
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.