← 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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

6 reports
Clear category filter
117,000 miles · Apr 9, 2021
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE HOOD INADVERTENTLY UNLATCHED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE HOOD SHOCKS AND HOOD HINGES TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE HOOD INADVERTENTLY UNLATCHED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE HOOD SHOCKS AND HOOD HINGES TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS STILL AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.

NHTSA ODI #11407235

60,000 miles · Jan 9, 2014
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE LOCKS FAILED TO WORK WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS AN OCCASION WHERE SHE WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE TH…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE LOCKS FAILED TO WORK WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS AN OCCASION WHERE SHE WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI #10559164

93,000 miles · Dec 9, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

I OWN THE 2002 BMW X2. I HAVE RUN INTO THE PROBLEM OF THE REAR PASSENGER (RIGHT-SIDE) DOOR UNLOCK. IT CANNOT BE UNLOCKED BOTH FROM THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF THE DOOR. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB SITES. THERE IS NOT A WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR. DEALER HAS TO UNBOLT THE WHOLE DOOR IN ORDER TO GET IT OUT. THE SAME PROBLEM CAN O…

Read full complaint

I OWN THE 2002 BMW X2. I HAVE RUN INTO THE PROBLEM OF THE REAR PASSENGER (RIGHT-SIDE) DOOR UNLOCK. IT CANNOT BE UNLOCKED BOTH FROM THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF THE DOOR. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB SITES. THERE IS NOT A WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR. DEALER HAS TO UNBOLT THE WHOLE DOOR IN ORDER TO GET IT OUT. THE SAME PROBLEM CAN OCCUR TO ANY OF THE DOORS (OR ALL) AT THE SAME TIME. MOST PEOPLE (INCLUDING MYSELF) ARE HAVING CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE PASSENGERS/DRIVERS IF THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE IN THE CASE OF EMERGENCY (SUCH AS THE LEXUS' ACCELERATION PROBLEM OR FIRE/SMOKE) ESPECIALLY THE KIDS CANNOT BREAK THE WINDOW'S GLASS. CAN THE NHTSA ASK BMW BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING CORRECTIVE ACTION ASAP? OR BMW WILL WAIT TO TAKE ACTION AFTER ENOUGH PEOPLE DIE FROM THE BAD DESIGN. I HAVE NOT FIXED MY DOOR (SINCE BMW WILL CHARGE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS). AND I HAVE A 3 1/2 YEARS OLD KID. I THINK THAT BMW NEEDS TO RECALL THIS NEGLECTED PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295030

88,022 miles · Apr 10, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. ON APRIL 9, 2009, AFTER PARKING IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE. SHE WENT TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE TO GET HER CHILD OUT, BUT THE DOORS WERE LOCKED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY AND WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SHE CALLED AAA TO UNLOCK…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. ON APRIL 9, 2009, AFTER PARKING IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE. SHE WENT TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE TO GET HER CHILD OUT, BUT THE DOORS WERE LOCKED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY AND WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SHE CALLED AAA TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY ONE KEYLESS ENTRY LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS HER FIRST TIME EXPERIENCING THIS FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 88,022.

NHTSA ODI #10264958

93,140 miles · Mar 4, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE FRONT DOORS ON HER VEHICLE. SHE WOULD BECOME LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. SHE ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THEM WITH THE POWER DOOR LOCK MECHANISM, WHICH WORKED PROPERLY, BUT THE DOOR HANDLES WOULD NOT ALLOW THE DOORS TO OPEN. TH…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE FRONT DOORS ON HER VEHICLE. SHE WOULD BECOME LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. SHE ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THEM WITH THE POWER DOOR LOCK MECHANISM, WHICH WORKED PROPERLY, BUT THE DOOR HANDLES WOULD NOT ALLOW THE DOORS TO OPEN. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THROUGH THE BACK DOORS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 93,140.

NHTSA ODI #10260657

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesVisibility

2002 BMW X5 WITH OIL SEPARATOR SAFETY ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE OIL SEPARATOR FAILED. CONSUMER WAS SHOWN THAT WATER WAS MIXING WITH THE OIL CREATING A FOAMY SLUDGE. LUCKILY THE PROBLEM DID NOT AFFECT THE ENGINE. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE DOOR LOCKS DID NOT WORK ON ONE OF THE DOORS AND THE WINDOW FELL INSIDE THE D…

Read full complaint

2002 BMW X5 WITH OIL SEPARATOR SAFETY ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE OIL SEPARATOR FAILED. CONSUMER WAS SHOWN THAT WATER WAS MIXING WITH THE OIL CREATING A FOAMY SLUDGE. LUCKILY THE PROBLEM DID NOT AFFECT THE ENGINE. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE DOOR LOCKS DID NOT WORK ON ONE OF THE DOORS AND THE WINDOW FELL INSIDE THE DOOR. THE WINDOW MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER INSERTS WERE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10218296

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.