← New search

2002 BMW X5

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 BMW X5 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 100.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all X5 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

79 reports with mileage · 23 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports7 fire reports2 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

19 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2025
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

Bmw has failed on several occasions to address this issue or service vehicle. I have made them aware of the situation but continue to receive letters that indicate I could die of the airbag.

NHTSA ODI #11636800

153,000 miles · Oct 23, 2020
Air BagsEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AT VEHICLE START-UP. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH MOSS MOTORS BMW (1401 SURR…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AT VEHICLE START-UP. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH MOSS MOTORS BMW (1401 SURREY ST, LAFAYETTE, LA 70501) WHERE THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

NHTSA ODI #11365964

179,000 miles · Apr 5, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

WAS DRIVING HOME AND MY DASH LIGHTS STARTED TO FLASH ON AND OFF AFTER I SHUT THE CAR OFF MY AND PULLED THE KEYS OUT MY LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT STAYED ON THE NEXT MORNING MY BATTERY WAS DEAD. SO I PULLED THE BATTERY AND CHARGED IT NOW WHEN I CONNECT THE BATTERY ALL MY LIGHTS FLASH RANDOMLY WITH NO KEY IN IT. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE…

Read full complaint

WAS DRIVING HOME AND MY DASH LIGHTS STARTED TO FLASH ON AND OFF AFTER I SHUT THE CAR OFF MY AND PULLED THE KEYS OUT MY LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT STAYED ON THE NEXT MORNING MY BATTERY WAS DEAD. SO I PULLED THE BATTERY AND CHARGED IT NOW WHEN I CONNECT THE BATTERY ALL MY LIGHTS FLASH RANDOMLY WITH NO KEY IN IT. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR FOR 3 MONTHS IT IS NOT SAFE AND THE NEAREST BMW SERVIES IS 40 MILES AWAY . I HAVE A RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG , BUT NOT TAKING A CHANCE ON DRIVING IT TO GET FIXED

NHTSA ODI #11320264

150,368 miles · Oct 4, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS), THE HORN ACTIVATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FIVE TIMES TO BMW OF MURRAY (LOCATED AT 4735 STATE ST, MURRAY, UT 84107, (801) 262-2479) FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. AFTER THE LAST REPAIR, THE STEERI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS), THE HORN ACTIVATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FIVE TIMES TO BMW OF MURRAY (LOCATED AT 4735 STATE ST, MURRAY, UT 84107, (801) 262-2479) FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. AFTER THE LAST REPAIR, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT ALIGNED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT FUNCTION. ALSO, THE VOLUME CONTROL BUTTON AND HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,368.

NHTSA ODI #11266415

150,705 miles · Sep 23, 2019
Air Bags

RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM DMV OF VIRGINIA THAT THE AIR BAG IS RECALLED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPON CALLING THE BMW RECALL LINE, THEY SAID THE RECALL IS NEW AND IS DATED JANUARY 2019. SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BAG REPLACED AT FLOW BMW IN WINSTON-SALEM, NC ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2019, THEY INFORMED THE BAG HAD ALREADY BEEN REP…

Read full complaint

RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM DMV OF VIRGINIA THAT THE AIR BAG IS RECALLED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPON CALLING THE BMW RECALL LINE, THEY SAID THE RECALL IS NEW AND IS DATED JANUARY 2019. SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BAG REPLACED AT FLOW BMW IN WINSTON-SALEM, NC ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2019, THEY INFORMED THE BAG HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED AND THAT NO REPAIR WAS NECESSARY. I CHECKED MY RECORDS ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED. HOW DOES THIS MAKE SENSE WHEN THE RECALL IS DATED JANUARY 2019 AND MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED DURING 2019 BY A BMW DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #11257323

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2019
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V015000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND THEY REQUESTED A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE STEERING WHEEL. ONCE THE MANUFACTURER RECEIVED THE PHOTOGRAPH…

Read full complaint

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V015000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND THEY REQUESTED A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE STEERING WHEEL. ONCE THE MANUFACTURER RECEIVED THE PHOTOGRAPH, THEY SENT AN E-MAIL TO THE CONTACT STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO CONFIRM IF THE E-MAIL WAS RECEIVED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: LP48169. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11256713

170,517 miles · Feb 25, 2019
Air BagsElectrical System

TAKATA INFLATOR REPLACES ON DRIVERS AIRBAG REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO. THEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT SHOWED DEFECTIVE SENSOR. BMW SAID THE WOULD EXTEND WARRANTY 15 YEARS BUT CAR IS NOW 17 YEARS OLD. HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE GENERAL MODULE FOR REMOTE OPENING OF AND LOCKING DOORS.

NHTSA ODI #11182412

142,000 miles · Mar 29, 2018
Air BagsElectrical SystemUnknown Or OtherFire

VEHICLE FIRE WAS PARKED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND OWNER WENT TO CAR AND NOTICE THAT THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE HAD A PAST TENSE FIRE. THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED EXPECT FOR THE ONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. NO EXTERIOR DAMAGE NOTED TO THE VEHICLE OR IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE ORIGIN WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOAR…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE FIRE WAS PARKED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND OWNER WENT TO CAR AND NOTICE THAT THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE HAD A PAST TENSE FIRE. THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED EXPECT FOR THE ONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. NO EXTERIOR DAMAGE NOTED TO THE VEHICLE OR IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE ORIGIN WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD BEHIND THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND AIRBAG, PLEASE CONTACT SIOUX CITY FIRE RESCUE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA ODI #11082006

80,000 miles · Mar 10, 2017
Air BagsSeat Belts

TAKATA RECALL AND SEAT BELT BUCKLE, PURCHASED FROM HOMELAND SECURITY AUCTION, HAD A LOT OF DAMAGE TO FRONT SECTION AND INTERIOR WAS TORN APART BY HOME LAND SECURITY. I SAW PICTURES OF IT ON THE INTERNET BUT THEY ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE

NHTSA ODI #10959966

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2017
Air Bags

CAR CAN NOT BE INSPECTED BECAUSE OF AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON.

NHTSA ODI #10954802

Official recalls

3

17V047000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 20, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

03V032000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Feb 4, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CONNECTION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE TO THE STEEL ROPE OF THE TENSIONER DOES NOT MEET BMW SPECIFICATIONS. IN SEVERE FRONTAL CRASHES, THIS CONNECTION CAN DETACH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE CONNECTION DETACHES, THE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SAFETY BELT IS LIKELY TO BE IMPAIRED, AND SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER COULD OCCUR THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE MITIGATED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT TENSIONER AND BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THESE PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 19, 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.

03V001000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jan 9, 2003

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE FRONT BRAKE LINE TO SLIP OUT OF THE RETAINING BRACKET LOCATED AT THE FRONT STRUT. THE BRAKE HOSE THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE LINE COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE TIRE AND BE SUBJECTED TO WEAR AND ABRASION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD INITIALLY CAUSE SOME BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, AND EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. THERE COULD BE A NOTICEABLE REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCE IF A LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE OCCURS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL RETAINING CLIP TO FURTHER SECURE THE BRAKE LINE TO THE FRONT STRUT. ADDITIONALLY, IF INSPECTION OF ANY BRAKE HOSE INDICATES THAT IT HAS EXPERIENCED DAMAGE, THE HOSE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 14, 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.