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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.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

Steering complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2023
Steering

Several components or systems have failed or malfunctioned, including the ABS module, power steering, rear left turn signal connection, speedometer, and there are various error codes (P0313, P0500, P1093, P2098, OBDII FAIL, OBD bulb check FAIL). It is not clear if these components are available for inspection upon request based …

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Several components or systems have failed or malfunctioned, including the ABS module, power steering, rear left turn signal connection, speedometer, and there are various error codes (P0313, P0500, P1093, P2098, OBDII FAIL, OBD bulb check FAIL). It is not clear if these components are available for inspection upon request based on the information provided. The safety of the driver and others on the road was put at risk due to the failure of the ABS module, the absence of power steering, and the non-functioning rear left turn signal. The malfunctioning ABS system can lead to reduced braking efficiency and increased stopping distances, while the lack of power steering can make the vehicle harder to control. Additionally, the non-functioning rear left turn signal can cause confusion for other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of accidents. It is not clear from the information provided if the problem has been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. There is no information provided about whether the vehicle or its components have been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. The warning lamps and messages, such as the DSC BRAKE and ABS lights, including the check engine light in the dash terminal, have appeared prior to the failure of the mentioned components. The error codes (P0313, P0500, P1093, P2098, OBDII FAIL, OBD bulb check FAIL) also indicate issues with the vehicle. It is not clear when these warning lamps, messages, and error codes first appeared.

NHTSA ODI #11513773

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…

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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

180,000 miles · Feb 20, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND REQUIRED TREMENDOUS FORCE TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEELS. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #10499408

100,000 miles · Nov 16, 2012
Steering

I WAS DRIVING AND I TRIED TO TURN LEFT AND IT WOULDN'T. I TRIED TO TURN RIGHT AND IT UNLOCKED IT, SO I WAS ABLE TO TURN LEFT AFTERWARDS. IT DID IT AGAIN, THIS TIME IT LOCKED UP BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT. IT EVENTUALLY UNLOCKED AND I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR HOME, TEST DROVE IT AND IT SEEMS FINE AGAIN. IT COMES AND GOES. I CALLED…

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I WAS DRIVING AND I TRIED TO TURN LEFT AND IT WOULDN'T. I TRIED TO TURN RIGHT AND IT UNLOCKED IT, SO I WAS ABLE TO TURN LEFT AFTERWARDS. IT DID IT AGAIN, THIS TIME IT LOCKED UP BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT. IT EVENTUALLY UNLOCKED AND I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR HOME, TEST DROVE IT AND IT SEEMS FINE AGAIN. IT COMES AND GOES. I CALLED THE BMW DEALER IN VISTA, CA TO SEE IF THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON IT AND THEY SAID THAT MY VIN DO NOT HAVE A RECALL ON STEERING. I CHECKED THE ONLINE POSTINGS AND APPARENTLY THERE ARE A LOT OF THIS CASES AND SOME OF THEM ARE DRILLING A PART OF STEERING COLUMN AND REMOVING A SPRING TO CORRECT THE PORBLEM. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY OLD BMW 525 BEFORE SO I JUNKED IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10484917

132,000 miles · Sep 2, 2011
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE WAS STILL PRESENT. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE WAS STILL PRESENT. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS A JAM IN THE STEERING LOCK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ODI #10423046

66,500 miles · Aug 13, 2010
Steering

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 65MPH, ALL THE SUDDEN I HAVE NO CONTROL OF MY STEERING, IT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER, I'VE ALMOST CRASHED IN TO THE OTHER VEHICLE WITH MY TWO INFANTS IN THE CAR. CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY SAYS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE POWER STEERING PROBLEMS, THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND SAID IM GOOD TO GO...MY C…

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I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 65MPH, ALL THE SUDDEN I HAVE NO CONTROL OF MY STEERING, IT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER, I'VE ALMOST CRASHED IN TO THE OTHER VEHICLE WITH MY TWO INFANTS IN THE CAR. CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY SAYS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE POWER STEERING PROBLEMS, THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND SAID IM GOOD TO GO...MY CAR IS 2002 BMW X5 3.0I. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349296

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.