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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

Structure complaints

9 reports
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117,000 miles · Apr 1, 2021
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DID NOT SECURE THE VEHICLE'S HOOD LATCH WHEN HE PUT THE HOOD DOWN. THE CONTACT THEN DROVE THE VEHICLE AT 35 MPH, WHEN THE HOOD FLUNG UP. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. BMW OF NORTH LIBERTY (525 MADISON AVE, NORTH LIBERTY, IA 52317) WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DID NOT SECURE THE VEHICLE'S HOOD LATCH WHEN HE PUT THE HOOD DOWN. THE CONTACT THEN DROVE THE VEHICLE AT 35 MPH, WHEN THE HOOD FLUNG UP. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. BMW OF NORTH LIBERTY (525 MADISON AVE, NORTH LIBERTY, IA 52317) WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE DEALER INFORMED THAT THEY COULD NOT COME TO A CONCLUSIVE DECISION AS TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE HOOD WARNING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCKS INSIDE THE HOOD HAD RIPPED LOOSE AND THE HOOD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT INFORMED THAT THE REARVIEW MIRROR WOULD ALERT, IF THE HOOD WAS OPEN AND THE COMPLAINT WOULD BE FORWARDED TO THEIR SAFETY ENGINEER, HOWEVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED BMW MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ODI #11406007

71,635 miles · Jun 22, 2015
StructureVisibility

IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014 MY 2002 BMW X5 FRONT PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW FAILED IN THE DOWN POSITION. UPON TAKING IT INTO MY ORIGINAL DEALER, IT WAS MANUALLY RAISED-CLOSED AND I HAD TO RETURN DAYS LATER FOR INSTALLATION OF A NEW "REGULATOR" AT A COST OF ABOUT $500. I WAS TOLD THIS PROBLEM WAS "UNUSUAL". NOW, NINE MONTHS LATER AN…

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IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014 MY 2002 BMW X5 FRONT PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW FAILED IN THE DOWN POSITION. UPON TAKING IT INTO MY ORIGINAL DEALER, IT WAS MANUALLY RAISED-CLOSED AND I HAD TO RETURN DAYS LATER FOR INSTALLATION OF A NEW "REGULATOR" AT A COST OF ABOUT $500. I WAS TOLD THIS PROBLEM WAS "UNUSUAL". NOW, NINE MONTHS LATER AND LESS THAN AN ADDITIONAL 5,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE (76,710) THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HAVE FAILED; THE FRONT MANUALLY TWEAKED INTO THE CLOSED POSITION AND THE REAR OPENING COVERED WITH CARDBOARD EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS AND THEFT WHILE THE SAME ORIGINAL DEALER AWAITS PARTS DELIVERY FOUR DAYS FROM NOW BEFORE SCHEDULED REPAIR...AT I EXPECT ANOTHER COST TO ME OF ABOUT $1000!...I HAVE REVIEWED THE MANY COMPLAINTS IN THIS SECTION ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE!! TO WIT, IT WAS WELL SAID BY THIS ONE QUOTED HERE: "2002 BMW X5 WINDOW REGULATOR. CAR HAS 41K MILES AND ALREADY GOING ON 5TH WINDOW REGULATOR ISSUE. ALL FOUR WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE ISSUE OCCURRED TWICE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. I HAVE BEEN TOLD MULTIPLE EXPLANATIONS FROM THE DEALER INCLUDING LACK OR USE OR TOO MUCH USE BUT THIS ISSUE OCCURS ON ALL BMW MAKES AND MODELS. BMW STILL HAS NO SOLUTION THAT FIXES THIS ISSUE PERMANENTLY AND CHARGES $300 TO $600 FOR EACH WINDOW DEPENDING ON FRONT OR REAR. TOO MUCH TO PAY FOR A BAD DESIGN. *TR" I AGREE!!...IT IS TIME FOR A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. NOW.....UPDATED 08/17/15 *BF UPDATED 08/20/15*JB

NHTSA ODI #10726659

86,000 miles · Dec 29, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineStructure

I'VE HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 WINDOW REGULATORS, MY REAR HATCH SEEMS TO OPEN FOR NO REASON, MY REAR WINDOW WIPER IS WORKING WITH THE SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION, LED'S ARE GOING OUT AGAIN AND NOW THE DREADED APPARENT OIL SEPARATOR WITH TONS OF GREY SMOKE BILLOWING OUT THE BACK OF THE CAR AFTER BEING LEFT IN AN AIRPORT PARKING LOT FOR…

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I'VE HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 WINDOW REGULATORS, MY REAR HATCH SEEMS TO OPEN FOR NO REASON, MY REAR WINDOW WIPER IS WORKING WITH THE SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION, LED'S ARE GOING OUT AGAIN AND NOW THE DREADED APPARENT OIL SEPARATOR WITH TONS OF GREY SMOKE BILLOWING OUT THE BACK OF THE CAR AFTER BEING LEFT IN AN AIRPORT PARKING LOT FOR 4 DAYS WHILST IT SNOWED OUTSIDE. SEEMS I'VE HAD EVERY TYPICAL PROBLEM OTHER THAN THE CAR CATCHING FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I HAVE OWNED BMWS IN GERMANY AND THE US FOR A LONG TIME, HOWEVER, I THINK I'LL BE SWITCHING BRANDS WITH MY NEXT VEHICLE. BMW DOESN'T SEEM TO BE PROACTIVE ENOUGH FOR MY LIKING WITH SOME OF THESE WAY TOO COMMON ISSUES. THIS IS A VERY LOW MILE VEHICLE FOR IT'S AGE AND IT'S ACTING LIKE A MODEL T. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668801

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…

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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

150,000 miles · Feb 9, 2013
Structure

ON MANY OCCASIONS BEFORE AS WELL AS TODAY I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT DOOR LOCKS LATCHES MALFUNCTIONING, USUALLY, IN COLD WEATHER. EITHER THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED AT ALL OR. IF OPENED (USUALLY MANUALLY) THEY CANNOT BE CLOSED/LATCHED AT ALL, THIS USUALLY HAPPENS IN COLD WEATHER AND THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY WHEN THE TEMPERATURE …

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ON MANY OCCASIONS BEFORE AS WELL AS TODAY I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT DOOR LOCKS LATCHES MALFUNCTIONING, USUALLY, IN COLD WEATHER. EITHER THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED AT ALL OR. IF OPENED (USUALLY MANUALLY) THEY CANNOT BE CLOSED/LATCHED AT ALL, THIS USUALLY HAPPENS IN COLD WEATHER AND THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE GOES UP. THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT IS, POTENTIALLY, SAFETY RELATED AS DRIVING WITH DOOR NOT LATCHED IS UNSAFE. I'M WONDERING IF THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURIES AND/OR DEATHS IN ACCIDENTS INVOLVING AFFECTED BMW X5. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10497592

153,000 miles · Nov 27, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemStructureFire

AS MY WIFE AND I DRIVING TO HER MD APPOINTMENT ON 11/26/12. I'VE NOTICED GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CAR,AND CAR SUDDENLY LOSING POWER, WHEN I'VE STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT'S LIKE GAINING POWER TO GO AND SUDDENLY LOSES POWER. I WAS KIND OF CONFUSED WHAT HAPPENED . WE WERE ON THE ROAD RIGHT BEHIND THE INTERSECTION. WE HAD TO STOP FOR THE…

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AS MY WIFE AND I DRIVING TO HER MD APPOINTMENT ON 11/26/12. I'VE NOTICED GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CAR,AND CAR SUDDENLY LOSING POWER, WHEN I'VE STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT'S LIKE GAINING POWER TO GO AND SUDDENLY LOSES POWER. I WAS KIND OF CONFUSED WHAT HAPPENED . WE WERE ON THE ROAD RIGHT BEHIND THE INTERSECTION. WE HAD TO STOP FOR THE RED LIGHT,WHEN I'VE TRIED TO GO, THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING LIKE IT SHOULD. WE MADE IT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE INTERSECTION, WHICH THERE IS DENNY'S RESTAURANT PARKING LOT. BY THE TIME I'VE PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON,WE WERE STILL IN THE CAR. ALL OF THE SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD SOUND, LIKE EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND FIRE STARTED.THANKS GOD, WE GOT OUT OF THE CAR JUST IN TIME. THE FIRE WAS BURNING OUT OF CONTROL. COUPLE OF PASSERBY HAD FIRE EXTINGUISHERS IN THEIR CARS,TRIED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT, WHILE I WAS ON THE 911 CALL,BUT NO LUCK. IN JUST A LESS THAN A MINUTE THE WHOLE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IT TOOK FIRE DEPT LIKE 20-30 MINUTES TO PUT THE FIRE OUT,AND MY CAR JUST MELTED FRONT OF MY EYES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486154

70,123 miles · May 20, 2011
Electrical SystemStructure

TWO SAFETY CONCERNS: (1) LED ON DASHBOARD FADED OUT. KEY DRIVING INFORMATION IS NOW NOT AVAILABLE IN ORDER TO SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR. (2) REAR TAILGATE WILL NOW UNEXPECTEDLY UN-LATCH AND POP OPEN IN WHICH I HAVE TO PULL OVER, GET OUT OF THE CAR AND CLOSE IT. IT IS CAUSED BY POOR SEALING WHICH DOESN'T KEEP OUT RAIN AND SNOW. ONCE …

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TWO SAFETY CONCERNS: (1) LED ON DASHBOARD FADED OUT. KEY DRIVING INFORMATION IS NOW NOT AVAILABLE IN ORDER TO SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR. (2) REAR TAILGATE WILL NOW UNEXPECTEDLY UN-LATCH AND POP OPEN IN WHICH I HAVE TO PULL OVER, GET OUT OF THE CAR AND CLOSE IT. IT IS CAUSED BY POOR SEALING WHICH DOESN'T KEEP OUT RAIN AND SNOW. ONCE I CLOSE THE TAILGATE, IT WILL EVENTUALLY OPEN AGAIN! BMW KNOWS ABOUT THESE SAFETY PROBLEMS ON THE X5 AND WOULD NOT HELP WITH MATERIAL AND LABOR COST OF $ 1565.

NHTSA ODI #10405068

11,000 miles · Apr 7, 2003
Structure

WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED BY ITSELF. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10014046

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2002
Structure

WHILE PARKING, CONSUMER TAPPED THE BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A BMW MECHANIC FOR AN APPRAISAL. THE MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE BUMPER HAD BEEN KNOCKED OFF IT'S MOORING. CONSUMER REQUESTS INFORMATION ON THE SAFTEY STANDARD OF THIS VEHICLE. *JG …

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WHILE PARKING, CONSUMER TAPPED THE BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A BMW MECHANIC FOR AN APPRAISAL. THE MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE BUMPER HAD BEEN KNOCKED OFF IT'S MOORING. CONSUMER REQUESTS INFORMATION ON THE SAFTEY STANDARD OF THIS VEHICLE. *JG

NHTSA ODI #567581

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.