vinkodex.

BMW X5 X5 3.0d common faults.

2003–2007, SUV, diesel, 218 HP.

The fault list covers: M57D30TU engine, ZF6HP26 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

1 fault write-ups. Important. 4 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

1 important faults

ZF 6HP automatic: mechatronics connector sealing sleeve leaks

expensive

In the ZF six speed automatic (BMW codes GA6HP19Z / GA6HP26Z) the electrical connector of the valve body control leaves the gearbox housing through a plastic sleeve. That sleeve and its seals age, and they let oil through.

Show the rest

The symptom is irregular shifting, a gear slipping at higher revs, limp mode, a drivetrain fault code and a message on the display. The cause is the same in each case: the leak drops the hydraulic pressure, and the valve body cannot close the clutches with enough force.

The sleeve can be replaced without removing the gearbox, you only have to drop the oil pan. If it leaks for a long time, the slipping clutch and the overheating pump take the inside of the gearbox with them, and from then on it is a rebuild. The factory calls the oil a lifetime fill, but in practice the sleeve wears out around 60,000 to 70,000 miles, roughly 100,000 to 115,000 km.

between 100,000 and 200,000 km

What to check

  • On a lift look at the right side of the gearbox housing, above the oil pan: a wet, oily connector is the characteristic picture
  • On the test drive watch the shifts cold and warm: jerking, delay, slipping at higher revs
  • Ask for a fault code read from the gearbox controller: gear ratio fault, pressure regulation
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

BMW X5 X5 3.0d

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall4 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 12 November 2013

13V564000AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATIONAIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION12 November 2013 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

Risk: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

The authority's notice

05V504000POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1 November 2005 · NHTSA (USA)

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.

Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE PARKING LOCK SYSTEM NOT TO ENGAGE, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED IN THE PARK ("P") POSITION. IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED, THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ROLLAWAY CONDITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR AND REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GUIDE PLATE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-332-4269.

The authority's notice

A12/01261/21Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

Friction corrosion on the connector from the wiring harness to the blower regulator may cause fluctuations in the electrical resistance, which can lead to overheating and damage to the wiring harness insulation. That can result in a short circuit, leading to a vehicle fire, even if the vehicle is parked.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

A12/01382/23Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The driver or passenger airbag inflator may malfunction. In the event of an airbag activation this can lead to the release of fragments from the generator housing, increasing the risk of injury. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

M57D30TU · 3.0d

160 kW (218 HP) · diesel

ZF6HP26 · 6-speed automatic, longitudinal (ZF 6HP26, BMW GA6HP26)

automatic · 6 speed

Torque limit650 Nm
MakerZF

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
X5 3.0d
Body
SUV
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
2993 cc
Power
160 kW (218 HP)
Drive
AWD
Production
2003–2007

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)

  • Engine oil and oil filter (BMW condition-based service)

    • LongLife25,000 km or 2 years

  • Fuel filter, diesel

    • 60,000 km or 2 years
All E53 versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms