2000 BMW X5: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 29 owner complaints on record; most reports concern visibility.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2025
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was turning into a restaurant ( I was completely stopped) and as I got the chance to take the turn, it became extremely hard to turn the wheel, luckily my son was sitting next to me and he had to manually help me to turn the car. I hit the curb but luckily managed to pull out of the street and out of the way of traffic. It was a highway so people were going about 55-60 mph (I got honked at). We pulled in stopped at the entrance. We turned off the engine, my son went out to look at the damage and if anything was wrong with the tires. We barely made it to a parking spot as my son could barely turn it. Please fix this issue, praise the lord nobody was hurt. *tr”Owner report · Steering · May 2013
“This is not the first time. The right hand side, passenger's front window failed to operate. This is an electrical system component. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2012
“Tl*the contact owns a 2000 bmw x5. While parked, the contact attempted to exit the vehicle using the front driver side door but the door would not open. The contact exited the vehicle through another door and noticed the front driver side door also would not open from the outside. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 76,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Feb 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 2000 bmw x5. The contact stated that the front driver and rear passenger windows have fallen inside the door due to a faulty regulator. The contact has taken the vehicle to a dealer to have the driver side window repaired and five days after the repair the rear passenger side window broke. The contact has called the manufacturer and requested that they assume the cost since the warranty has expired. The contact is concerned that a defect investigation was not available for his year make and model vehicle. The failure mileage was 60,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Feb 2010
“Tl*- while driving the 2000 bmw x5 at 40 mph the transmission disengaged, causing the rpms to rise rather than dropping back into gear. The disengaging and dropping back into gear happened about 4-8 times within 10-15 minutes. The contact took vehicle to a european vehicle repair facility, and they stated that the transmission was completely burned. The contact stated that there is no way to check or change the transmission fluid other then removing the transmission from the vehicle. The contact has done some research online ,and that this transmission problem seems to occur around 80,000 miles. His vehicle's failure mileage was 82,000 miles.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2006
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 bmw x5. While parked, the contact noticed that the front driver side seat belt would not retract. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The technicians replaced the seat belt assembly for the front driver side seat. After some time, the front passenger side seat belt failed to retract. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a complaint was filed. The manufacturer stated to the contact that the seat belt repair would not be covered under warranty due to the age of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2005
“While driving at any speed driver heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. Driver was unable to shift into reverse. Vehicle was towed to a body shop for inspection, and mechanic determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2005
“My window regulators have failed twice on my 2000 bmw x5 4.4i. Researching this problem on the web, it is a common occurence. My colleague with a 2000 bmw 3 series has had his failed 6 times. Both times the problem was fixed, but I had to pay.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2004
“1.windshield wipers suddenly stopped working at highway speed during heavy rain and traffic putting me in a dangerous situation (problem was not caused by a fuse). 2. Windshield seems to continously degrade (mini-craters like it would desintegrate itself) ... Not caused by stone or other road related objects. Dealer claims that stones are causing it, which is not true, they are too many of them and too small.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Apr 2004
“Dt: the contact stated the windshield wipers completely and randomly failed to work. The windshield wiper quit four times in two years. The first time this happened the bmw dealership replaced the motor. It quit again about six months later. Since then the dealer has not been able to duplicate the problem; mostly because occurred randomly.*ak updated 12/27/05. *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 X5 vehicles that may be equipped with a sport steering wheel containing a Takata PSDI-4 air bag inflator. The inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's front air bag, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 23, 2025. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 19V015.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4.4I SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THERE IS A PLASTIC CARRIER TO WHICH THE OIL FILTER HOUSING IS ATTACHED. OIL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES ARE ATTACHED TO THE FILTER HOUSING. OVER TIME, THIS CARRIER COULD SAG SLIGHTLY. IF THIS HAPPENS, ONE OF THE OIL LINES, WHICH ARE ARMORED WITH STEEL MESH, COULD COME INTO CONTACT AND CHAFE A STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED IMMEDIATELY UNDERNEATH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RUBBER SPACER BELOW THE PLASTIC CARRIER TO PREVENT SAGGING AND SUBSEQUENT CONTACT BETWEEN THE OIL AND BRAKE LINES. BRAKE LINES WHOSE ANTICORROSION LAYER IS FOUND TO BE DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF CONTACT WITH THE OIL LINE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 2001. 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4.4I SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, ABRASION PARTICLES COULD DEPOSIT ON THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WITHIN THE SWITCH, CAUSING A DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRIC CURRENT THROUGH THE CONTACTS. IF THE DISRUPTION OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE NEUTRAL OR PARK POSITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL SWITCH AUTOMATICALLY INTO THE EMERGENCY PROGRAM, WHICH IS DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER VIA A WARNING LAMP AND A MESSAGE, "TRANS. FAIL-SAFE PROG." IN THIS CASE, THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN IN LOWER GEARS ONLY WITH LIMITED ENGINE OUTPUT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION GEAR POSITION INDICATOR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 2001. 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM PIVOT SHAFT COULD LOOSEN FROM ITS SUPPORT BRACKET.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM PIVOT SHAFT FOR PROPER SEATING IN ITS SUPPORT BRACKET. IN ADDITION, A PIN WILL BE INSTALLED TO SECURE THE SHAFT TO THE BRACKET. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 2002. 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 1-800-332-4269.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT COUPLING INCLUDES A PLASTIC COLLAR WHICH FITS OVER THE LOWER STEERING RACK INPUT SHAFT. THIS COLLAR IS PUSHED DOWN ONTO THE STEERING RACK AND TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY. ON SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE COLLAR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PUSHED DOWN FULLY ONTO THE RACK AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING RACK INPUT SHAFT COLLAR FOR PROPER POSITIONING, AND REPOSITION IS NECESSARY.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2000 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact X5 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 BMW X5 reliable?
NHTSA has 29 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 BMW X5. The most complained-about area is visibility.
Does the 2000 BMW X5 have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.