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.
2003 BMW X5 transmission complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 16 of 16, newest first, as owners wrote them.
80k on my bmw x5 and the transmission needs replaced.
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.
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.
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.
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.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 BMW X5?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history