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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

102 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2010
Visibility

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 MAK…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10339618

87,500 miles · Apr 7, 2010
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH APPROACHING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE STALLED WITHIN SEVEN TO TEN MINUTES AFTER THE BRAKE WARNING ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE DIDN'T PREVENT THE CONTACT FROM OPENING THE DOOR REMOTELY. THE DEFECT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH APPROACHING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE STALLED WITHIN SEVEN TO TEN MINUTES AFTER THE BRAKE WARNING ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE DIDN'T PREVENT THE CONTACT FROM OPENING THE DOOR REMOTELY. THE DEFECTIVE BATTERY WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR TWENTY MINUTES WITH THE NEW BATTERY WHICH FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE BATTERY WAS INOPERABLE. THE ORIGINAL BATTERY WAS RECHARGED AND INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED FOR SERVICE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,525. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,500.

NHTSA ODI #10324316

40,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH WHEN SLOWING DOWN HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. HE THEN TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND HE RAISED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS OIL ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND THE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS BLOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH WHEN SLOWING DOWN HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. HE THEN TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND HE RAISED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS OIL ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND THE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS BLOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED IT. THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE OIL PUMP , CYCLONE SEPARATOR THAT HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40000.

NHTSA ODI #10304372

145,000 miles · Jan 15, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2002 BMW X5;4.6IS SAV. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. WENT TO AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO SAID THAT THE CODE INSPIRED RA FAULT IN THE VANOS, SYSTEM, AND RESET OBDII COMPUTER. IN TWO DAYS, THE ENTIRE ENGINE BROKE DOWN. UPON INSPECTION, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND CAM ADJUSTERS IMPLODED POSSIBLY DUE TO THE FORMATION OF ENGINE …

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2002 BMW X5;4.6IS SAV. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. WENT TO AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO SAID THAT THE CODE INSPIRED RA FAULT IN THE VANOS, SYSTEM, AND RESET OBDII COMPUTER. IN TWO DAYS, THE ENTIRE ENGINE BROKE DOWN. UPON INSPECTION, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND CAM ADJUSTERS IMPLODED POSSIBLY DUE TO THE FORMATION OF ENGINE SLUDGE. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR IS $8000. THE X5 WAS PROPERLY MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE WITH BMW APPROVED OIL. THE FORMATION OF SLUDGE MIGHT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A FAILURE OF THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM. REPAIR INCLUDES THE INSTALLATION OF NEW CAM SENSORS, ACTUATORS AND NEW CAMSHAFTS. ALSO THE REMOVAL OF METAL PARTICLES IN THE LUBRICATION SYSTEM. THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR MAY HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF BMW HAD RECALLED THE OIL SEPARATOR THEY DETERMINED WAS DEFECTIVE YEARS AGO. THERE IS NO MENTIONING OF A MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE TIMING CHAIN, AND ASSOCIATED PARTS. WE HAVE ALREADY ENDURED THE EXPENSE OF TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. CAN YOU INSPIRE A RE-IMBURSEMENT OF DAMAGES INCURRED?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10299880

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…

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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

72,000 miles · Oct 23, 2009
Air BagsCrash

I GOT INTO A AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON MONDAY OCT 19, 2009. I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 BMW X5. SOMEONE DRIVING AROUND 50MPH HIT MY X5 REAR IMPACT TO DRIVERS SIDE. THEN I BELIEVE IT DRAGGED ALONG THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE AXLES BROKE, TIRE WENT TO THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WAS BENT IN A WAY THAT THE ROOF WAS POINTING UPWARDS IN THE MIDDLE. T…

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I GOT INTO A AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON MONDAY OCT 19, 2009. I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 BMW X5. SOMEONE DRIVING AROUND 50MPH HIT MY X5 REAR IMPACT TO DRIVERS SIDE. THEN I BELIEVE IT DRAGGED ALONG THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE AXLES BROKE, TIRE WENT TO THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WAS BENT IN A WAY THAT THE ROOF WAS POINTING UPWARDS IN THE MIDDLE. THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT THAT MY CAR (X5) IS CONSIDERED TOTALED. THE ISSUE I HAVE IS THAT MY CAR SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH MANY AIRBAGS. HOWEVER, NON OF THE AIRBAGS OPENED TO PROTECT ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289636

69,380 miles · Aug 19, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE HAS DISPLAYED VARIOUS CODES REGARDING THE ABS BRAKES AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED BY FIVE DEALERS. EACH OF THE DEALERS HAVE STATED THAT THE COMPUTER IS NO LONGER COMMUNICATING WITH THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH IS WHY THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY ENGAGING THE BR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE HAS DISPLAYED VARIOUS CODES REGARDING THE ABS BRAKES AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED BY FIVE DEALERS. EACH OF THE DEALERS HAVE STATED THAT THE COMPUTER IS NO LONGER COMMUNICATING WITH THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH IS WHY THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL FULLY. ONE OF THE DEALERS STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE FOR $2200. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69380.

NHTSA ODI #10281102

87,905 miles · May 18, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS SOLD A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WITH BAD CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, AND MAKING NOISE UNDER HOOD IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, THAT WAS NOT HONORED. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THROUGHOUT THE TIME OF OWNERSHIP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAR VIBRA…

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I WAS SOLD A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WITH BAD CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, AND MAKING NOISE UNDER HOOD IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, THAT WAS NOT HONORED. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THROUGHOUT THE TIME OF OWNERSHIP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAR VIBRATES WHEN BRAKING, AND SOMETIMES HAS NO POWER. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM TO DATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269011

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…

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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

110,000 miles · Mar 18, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE FAILURE: THE CAR WILL NOT AT TIMES REVERSE. WHEN IN REVERSE MODE THE CAR REMAINS AS IF IN NEUTRAL. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE SHOP A FEW TIMES, AFTER AWHILE THE ISSUE MAGICALLY REPAIRS ITSELF. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED OR WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262348

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.