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2003 BMW X5

3 recalls Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #03V197000 Plain English
Component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Manufacturer
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
What Happened
Your vehicle's brake line might be too close to the steering shaft joint, which could cause damage and corrosion.
Risk if Unfixed
If left unfixed, this could lead to a loss of brake fluid, a warning light on your dashboard, reduced front brake performance, and potentially even a crash.
Free Fix
Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer and they will inspect and adjust the brake line's position for free, ensuring your safety on the road.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
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.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #17V047000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The air bag module in your vehicle is a critical safety device that deploys in a crash to protect you. In some cases, the air bag inflator in this module can degrade over time, especially in certain conditions, and rupture in a crash.
Risk if Unfixed
If the air bag inflator ruptures in a crash, metal fragments could hit you or other passengers, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will inspect the air bag module and replace it with a new one, free of charge. Do not drive your vehicle until this repair is done. You'll be notified when it's time to schedule the repair, and you should follow the instructions carefully.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
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.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #15V318000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The airbag in your car is a safety system that deploys in a crash to protect you. In some older BMW models, the airbag's inflator might be vulnerable to moisture, which could cause it to rupture.
Risk if Unfixed
If you're in a crash and the airbag deploys, the inflator could burst and send sharp metal fragments into you or your passengers, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty airbag module with a new one, free of charge. Please don't drive your vehicle until it's been fixed. They'll contact you to schedule the repair, but you can also call them at 1-800-525-7417.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
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.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Browse by Component

AIR BAGS
2 recalls
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1 recall

Other BMW X5 Years

2026
2 recalls
2025
4 recalls
2024
7 recalls
2023
4 recalls
2022
1 recall
2021
12 recalls
2020
11 recalls
2019
13 recalls
2018
5 recalls
2017
6 recalls
2016
5 recalls
2015
6 recalls
2014
8 recalls
2013
6 recalls
2012
10 recalls
2011
14 recalls
2010
14 recalls
2009
12 recalls
2008
10 recalls
2007
8 recalls
2006
2 recalls
2005
3 recalls
2004
4 recalls
2002
3 recalls
2001
12 recalls
2000
6 recalls

Related Pages

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