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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 · Jan 18, 2016
Unknown Or Other

ONE DAY I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO OUT, WHEN I CLOSED THE DOOR THE LATCH WOULDN'T CATCH. I KEPT TRYING AND MY DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. AFTER WAITING A FEW HOURS I TRIED AGAIN THIS TIME STANDING OUTSIDE. THE DOOR DID CLOSE, BUT I COULD NOT GET IT BACK OPEN. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO GET IN FROM THE OTHER SIDE AND I DID, BUT THIS DOOR ON TH…

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ONE DAY I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO OUT, WHEN I CLOSED THE DOOR THE LATCH WOULDN'T CATCH. I KEPT TRYING AND MY DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. AFTER WAITING A FEW HOURS I TRIED AGAIN THIS TIME STANDING OUTSIDE. THE DOOR DID CLOSE, BUT I COULD NOT GET IT BACK OPEN. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO GET IN FROM THE OTHER SIDE AND I DID, BUT THIS DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT CLOSE. I FINALLY DID GET IT CLOSE, BUT IT WOULD NOT OPEN. I HAD TO GET IN FROM THE BACK SEAT AND CRAWL OVER TO THE FRONT SO THAT I COULD TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALER. WHAT I WAS TOLD WAS THAT THE LATCH WAS PROBABLY FROZEN. SO DOES THIS MEAN YOU CAN ONLY DRIVE A BMW IN WARM WEATHER? HE ALSO SAID IT COULD BE A BUILDUP OF DIRT. SO I GUESS BOTH MY DOORS GOT A BUILDUP OF DIRT AT THE SAME TIME. SO HE SAID WE WOULD PROBABLY JUST REPLACE THE LATCH. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WHY WON'T BMW TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GET KILLED BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET OF THEIR CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10820759

130,000 miles · Sep 14, 2015
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10763466

155,003 miles · Jul 22, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL FAILED DUE TO A THERMAL EVENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,003.

NHTSA ODI #10735800

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

144,900 miles · Feb 22, 2015
Air Bags

DRIVING ON CRUISE CONTROL 70 MPH AND WE HEARD A BIT BAMMMMMM AND SMOKED COMING OUT OF THE CRACK OF THE DOOR . IT TOOK A MINUTE TO REALIZE THAT THE AIR BAGS HAS JUST WENT OFF FOR NOT APPARENT REASON. SCARE THE [XXX] OUT OFF ME!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10689794

50,775 miles · Feb 2, 2015
Engine

I REPLACED THE OIL SEPARATOR AT BMW DEALERSHIP 1/10/08 BECAUSE OIL WAS BECOMING POLLUTED WITH WATER EVEN AFTER I EXPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP PREVIOUS TIMES THE OIL LOOKED MILKY WHEN I DID A DIPSTICK CHECK. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE PART FAILED BEFORE IT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND A CONDITION KNOWN AS HYDROLOCK, WHICH COULD CAUSE ENGI…

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I REPLACED THE OIL SEPARATOR AT BMW DEALERSHIP 1/10/08 BECAUSE OIL WAS BECOMING POLLUTED WITH WATER EVEN AFTER I EXPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP PREVIOUS TIMES THE OIL LOOKED MILKY WHEN I DID A DIPSTICK CHECK. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE PART FAILED BEFORE IT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND A CONDITION KNOWN AS HYDROLOCK, WHICH COULD CAUSE ENGINE TO SEIZE. LAST WEEK IN VERY COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS,1/13,2015 MY CARS CABIN FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE. I PULLED OVER AND FOUND THE ENGINE SPOILED WITH SMOKING OIL, I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS THE OIL SEPARATOR AGAIN. THE PART IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE CRANKCASE VENT VALVE I HAD IT CHANGED/REPAIRED, IT IS EXPENSIVE AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS VEHICLE DAMAGE AND ACCIDENTS. I THINK FOR THIS TO HAPPEN TWICE POINTS TO A DANGEROUS VULNERABLE PART. THIS TIME MY CAR COULD HAVE EASILY CAUGHT ON FIRE, THANKFULLY I WAS CLOSE TO THE REPAIR SHOP.INCIDENTLY THEY HAD THREE BMW'S ASIDE FROM MINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO THE TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS WERE REPAIRED WITH COLD WEATHER/INSULATED KITS. I COULD NOT EVEN OPEN MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WINDOW TO GET AIR IT WAS INOPERABLE WHEN THE CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE WHICH WAS ALMOST INSTANTANEOUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680661

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

118,475 miles · Apr 17, 2014
Service Brakes

BRAKE FLUID WARNING LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO LOW BRAKE FLUID. UPON INSPECTION, BRAKE LINE HAD CORRODED AND WAS LEAKING. GIVEN THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE THIS WOULD APPEAR TO BE QUITE PREMATURE. DESCRIPTION BY MECHANIC OF OEM REPLACEMENT LINE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE DURABLE THAN LINE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10583360

89,000 miles · Apr 10, 2014
Engine

OVER SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CAR ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE WE ARE DRIVING. WE CAN TURN IT ON JUST AFTER WHEN WE CAN GET THE CAR TO A SAFE SPOT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE BMW AND THEY TELL ME NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR!! THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND MY WIFE HAD ALMOST HAD A BAD ACCIDENT FOR THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578900

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

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.