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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
143,553 miles · Feb 19, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingInjury

ON 2/11/08 COLD DAY VEHICLE FAILED TO START SHOWING SAME SIGNS AS RECALLS ON 2004 AND 2007 MODELS THAT ARE RECALLS. VEHICLE SENT TO SHOP RETURNED 2 DAYS LATER WHILE TRAVELING ON MAJOR EXPRESSWAY VEHICLE STALLS OUT WITH OUT ANY ADVANCE WARNING AS IN 2004 AND 2007 MODELS SENT BACK TO SHOP VEHICLES OIL AND COOLANT MIXING CAUSING TO…

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ON 2/11/08 COLD DAY VEHICLE FAILED TO START SHOWING SAME SIGNS AS RECALLS ON 2004 AND 2007 MODELS THAT ARE RECALLS. VEHICLE SENT TO SHOP RETURNED 2 DAYS LATER WHILE TRAVELING ON MAJOR EXPRESSWAY VEHICLE STALLS OUT WITH OUT ANY ADVANCE WARNING AS IN 2004 AND 2007 MODELS SENT BACK TO SHOP VEHICLES OIL AND COOLANT MIXING CAUSING TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. BMW'S RESPONSE NOT A RECALL FOR THIS YEAR BUT AWARE OF PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218511

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…

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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

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2007
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSuspension

I OWN A 2002 BMW X5 WITH LESS THAN 37,000 MILES. IN THE LAST 6-8 MONTHS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARM. MORE RECENTLY, I HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE HARNESS REWIRED AND THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. MY BRAKE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY GOING OUT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE REPLACED BULBS AND SOCKETS NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER X5 DRI…

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I OWN A 2002 BMW X5 WITH LESS THAN 37,000 MILES. IN THE LAST 6-8 MONTHS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARM. MORE RECENTLY, I HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE HARNESS REWIRED AND THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. MY BRAKE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY GOING OUT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE REPLACED BULBS AND SOCKETS NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER X5 DRIVERS WHO HAVE HAD SOME OF THE SAME PROBLEMS SO I'M BEGINNING TO WONDER IF IT'S A BIGGER PROBLEM THAN JUST MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210775

63,000 miles · Sep 26, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. WHEN MAKING A TURN AT 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER IT WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE DME, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,00…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. WHEN MAKING A TURN AT 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER IT WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE DME, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10204185

58,000 miles · Dec 13, 2005
Exterior Lighting

I DRIVE A 2002 BMW X-5. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED AND FRUSTRATED BY THE FAILURE OF A BASIC COMPONENT OF MY AUTO. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THERE HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL SHORTS IN BOTH FRONT TURN SIGNALS AND ONE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS. AT 58,315 MILES THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET BURNED AT CONTACTS AND WAS REPLACED …

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I DRIVE A 2002 BMW X-5. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED AND FRUSTRATED BY THE FAILURE OF A BASIC COMPONENT OF MY AUTO. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THERE HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL SHORTS IN BOTH FRONT TURN SIGNALS AND ONE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS. AT 58,315 MILES THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET BURNED AT CONTACTS AND WAS REPLACED FOR $126.25. AT 85,549 MILES THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET BURNED OUT AND WAS REPLACED FOR $133.89. AT 88,685 MILES THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHT IS SHORTED OUT. THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK BUT THE REPAIR WAS QUOTED TO BE $239.00. THE SECOND FAILURE ACTUALLY HAPPENED AS I WAS DRIVING IN A HEAVY RAIN STORM. THE OTHER TWO FAILURES JUST SHOWED UP ON THE CAR'S DIAGNOSTIC SELF CHECK AT START UP. IT SEEMS THE LIGHT FIXTURES AND WIRING ARE PRONE TO WATER EXPOSURE THAT RESULTS IN THE ELECTRICAL SHORT. PERHAPS IT IS FAULTY DESIGN OR SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10145135

47,861 miles · Mar 23, 2005
Power Train

02 BMW X5 5 SPD THE SHIFT LEVER WILL GO INTO REVERSE RATHER THAN FIRST BECAUSE THERE IS NO RESISTANCE TO PUSHING THE LEVER INTO REVERSE. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS NORMAL. BMW NA SAYS "DEALERS DON'T LIKE TO FIX CARS FOR INDEPENDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10114541

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2005
Power TrainCrashInjury

OVER THE YEARS AFTER PURCHASING MY 2002 BMW X5, I HAVE REPORTED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF WEATHERFORD BMW THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY AND THAT THE ENGINE WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN START REVVING UP. AS THIS IS HAPPENING, THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE AND BUCK AT THE SAME TIME. EVEN THOUGH, I AND MY WIFE HAVE BE…

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OVER THE YEARS AFTER PURCHASING MY 2002 BMW X5, I HAVE REPORTED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF WEATHERFORD BMW THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY AND THAT THE ENGINE WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN START REVVING UP. AS THIS IS HAPPENING, THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE AND BUCK AT THE SAME TIME. EVEN THOUGH, I AND MY WIFE HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THESE ISSUES, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SCENARIO OR EXPERIENCED THESE PROBLEMS WHILE SERVICING MY VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING THE X5, NOT ONLY ME, BUT ALSO MY WIFE, SHE WOULD INFORM ME THAT THE ENGINE WOULD BUCK AND SURGE WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE OF THESE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE, THAT MY VEHICLE, A 2002 BMW X5 IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. WITH THIS ALL SAID AND DONE, I WAS INVOLVED IN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE IS NOW TOTALED, BUT I WAS ABLE TO WALK AWAY WITH ACHES AND PAIN (PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY). I DO BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS I HAD WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE, IT WAS A DIRECT CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT AND THAT BMW SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE 2005 BMW X5 THAT I JUST PURCHASED TO REPLACE MY PREVIOUS X5. ALSO, IN QUIZZING THE SALES MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY NEW X5, I ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY MAJOR CHANGES TO THE VEHICLE. HIS REPLY WAS THAT DUE TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THE X5 - BMW CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION. THEREFORE, SINCE BMW WAS AWARE OF THESE ISSUES, AGAIN, I BELIEVE THAT BMW SHOULD REIMBURSE ME THE TOTAL PURCHASE PRICE OF MY 2005 X5. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX].*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10114059

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2004
Electrical System

ONBOARD COMPUTER READOUT IS MISSING LIGHTS. MORE AND MORE LIGHTS ARE STARTING TO FAIL. THE SERVICE GUY HAS A SIMPLE SOLUTION, BUY A NEW BOARD.... NICE A RELATIVELY NEW CAR NEEDS AN EXPENSIVE PART THAT JUST FAILED ON IT'S OWN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10091343

5,500 miles · Aug 16, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER X5 ON A VERY COLD DAY IN JANUARY. SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG AS IF SHE HAD HIT SOMETHING. SHE STOPPED THE CAR BUT SAW NOTHING SO SHE DROVE ANOTHER 1/4 MILE HOME. AS SOON AS SHE STOPPED THE CAR FUMES STARTED BILLOWING FROM THE ENGINE. ON OPENING THE HOOD WE FOUND A SHATTERED VALVE COVER. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO…

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER X5 ON A VERY COLD DAY IN JANUARY. SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG AS IF SHE HAD HIT SOMETHING. SHE STOPPED THE CAR BUT SAW NOTHING SO SHE DROVE ANOTHER 1/4 MILE HOME. AS SOON AS SHE STOPPED THE CAR FUMES STARTED BILLOWING FROM THE ENGINE. ON OPENING THE HOOD WE FOUND A SHATTERED VALVE COVER. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO WAS VERY GOOD ABOUT EXPLAINING WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND FIXING THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, BMW DECIDED NOT TO INSULATE PART OF THE OIL SEPARATOR VALVE FOR SOME OF THE X5 ENGINES. IN COLD WEATHER THE VALVE CAN STICK OPEN OR CLOSED CAUSING EITHER ENGINE FAILURE OR, AS IN MY WIFE'S CASE, A HIGH CRANKCASE PRESSURE WHICH EXPLODES THE VALVE COVER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT 17 MONTHS OLD AND HAD ABOUT 5 THOUSAND MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED, SO THE REPAIR WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE INADEQUATE PART WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY. BMW KNEW THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, THEY HAD ALREADY SENT A BULLETIN TO EVERY DEALER LETTING THEM KNOW ABOUT IT BUT HAVE DECIDED AGAINST ISSUING A RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10086968

39,000 miles · May 19, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WITHIN 6 WEEKS OF DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE (2002 BMW X5 3.0 LITER) STALLED WHEN TURNING LEFT. MOST RECENT WAS IN TRAFFIC, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AS I WAS BLOCKING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE ROLLED TO A NEARBY RESTAURANT WHERE ON BOARD INSTRUMENTATION WAS LIT UP WITH ALL WARNING LIGHTS. RESTARTED ENGINE IN A FEW …

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WITHIN 6 WEEKS OF DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE (2002 BMW X5 3.0 LITER) STALLED WHEN TURNING LEFT. MOST RECENT WAS IN TRAFFIC, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AS I WAS BLOCKING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE ROLLED TO A NEARBY RESTAURANT WHERE ON BOARD INSTRUMENTATION WAS LIT UP WITH ALL WARNING LIGHTS. RESTARTED ENGINE IN A FEW MINUTES OF COOLING. REPORTED TO BMW DEALER ON 5/18/2004 - DEALER REPORTS NO TROUBLE CODES OR ANY ABILITY TO REPLICATE TROUBLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10072902

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.