2003 BMW X5: engine failure

5 of the 99 complaints about the 2003 BMW X5 describe engine failure.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 5%
typical mileage: 60,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 13 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine failure by model year

2026
1
2025
1
2021
2
2020
8
2019
10
2018
1
2017
2
2015
3
2014
4
2013
7
2012
16
2011
11
2010
3
2009
3
2008
2
2006
2
2005
3
2004
1
2003
5
2002
7
2001
5

What owners say

Filed Mar 3, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 60,000 miles · ME

Oil separator froze causing high pressure and blown seals. Initial cost about $1100 to repair. Dealer states this "happens all the time" to x5's in cold weather. Temp was in the single digits. In january 2013 oil separator froze two more times;however, this time damaging the engine - cost over $5000 to repair - basically totaling the car. With about 15 minutes of research, this appears to be a common and known issue on bmw x5 3.0, 4.4 and 4.8 engines from 2001 to 2008... Looks like the parts were redesigned in 2009. Looks like a simple preventive maintenance routine and insulated oil lines would have prevented the "catastrophic engine failure" and dangerous condition of tailpipe fire, or being stranded in zero degree weather (which seems to be a condition required for the failure). Owner of car is the original owner, with all maintenance being done at local bmw dealerships including major services at 60k and 90k so there appears there is no "preventive maintenance" included in either of these major service milestones for the known oil separator defect. A recall on this defect to install the small amount of parts to prevent "catastrophic engines failure" and dangerous conditions "being stranded in single digit weather" seems like a logical choice... Or at least changing major service milestones to add preventive maintenance so the probability of the failure can be reduced.

Filed Jan 17, 2011 · Engine · 64,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Jul 23, 2010 · Engine · 53,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Oct 22, 2009 · Engine · 70,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Mar 10, 2009 · Engine · 48,000 miles · AK

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.