2002 BMW X5: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 102 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (20% of complaints); the 2000 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Bmw has failed on several occasions to address this issue or service vehicle. I have made them aware of the situation but continue to receive letters that indicate I could die of the airbag.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2025
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw x5. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the hood inadvertently unlatched causing damage to the hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the hood shocks and hood hinges to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was still awaiting a response from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Mar 2021
“Car was parked. I tried to unlock my car with the key fob and nothing happened. I unlocked the door with the key and after getting in the central locking system would not work. After researching the problem I found that the gmiii controls the central locking as well as other items like the windshield wipers, interior lights, sun roof, and rear upper and lower hatch. I orders a new one and when I took the old one out to replace it I found that it had caught on fire and blew fuse 14. It appears a thyristor or tiac got to hot and set the board and case on fire. I had smelt a plastic smell earlier while driving so it may have been burning before I parked. I am attaching photos.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw x5. The contact stated that several warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel at vehicle start-up. The contact attempted to repair the vehicle independently. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v047000 (air bags). The contact spoke with moss motors bmw (1401 surrey st, lafayette, la 70501) where they offered no assistance. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 153,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2020
“Was driving home and my dash lights started to flash on and off after I shut the car off my and pulled the keys out my left rear tail light stayed on the next morning my battery was dead. So I pulled the battery and charged it now when I connect the battery all my lights flash randomly with no key in it. I have not driven the car for 3 months it is not safe and the nearest bmw servies is 40 miles away . I have a recall for the air bag , but not taking a chance on driving it to get fixed”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2019
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 bmw x5. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 19v015000 (air bags). The manufacturer was contacted to schedule an appointment to have the vehicle repaired and they requested a photograph of the steering wheel. Once the manufacturer received the photograph, they sent an e-mail to the contact stating that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The dealer was not contacted to confirm if the e-mail was received. The manufacturer provided case number: lp48169. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2019
“Received a notice from dmv of virginia that the air bag is recalled and needs to be replaced. Upon calling the bmw recall line, they said the recall is new and is dated january 2019. Set up an appointment to have the bag replaced at flow bmw in winston-salem, nc on september 13, 2019, they informed the bag had already been replaced and that no repair was necessary. I checked my records on this vehicle and the air bag has never been replaced. How does this make sense when the recall is dated january 2019 and my vehicle has not been serviced during 2019 by a bmw dealer.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2019
“Takata inflator replaces on drivers airbag replaced approximately 2 years ago. Then the passenger airbag light showed defective sensor. Bmw said the would extend warranty 15 years but car is now 17 years old. Had to pay for repair out of pocket. Also had to replace general module for remote opening of and locking doors.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2019
“The suspension/subframe of the vehicle is rotted. Also, the electrical system is wacky. My speedometer and ABS light turn on and off - including my engine and transmission light flash on and off. The vehicle has been check and there is anything wrong with the engine or transmission.”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2019
“'takata recall ' when starting my vehicle it is a rough start lots of shaking causing the engine to fail after heating drives normally but does this everyday no engine check light . Car has shut off twice prior while driving on city streets due to engine failure”Owner report · Engine · May 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 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 2002 BMW X5 reliable?
NHTSA has 102 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 BMW X5. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 BMW X5 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 88,022 miles or less.
Does the 2002 BMW X5 have open recalls?
4 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.