2002 BMW X5 problems and complaints

Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 BMW X5. The most-reported areas: Engine And Engine Cooling (24), Air Bags (19), Electrical System (16).

Key takeaways

  • 116 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 4 involve a crash, 8 a fire, 3 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine And Engine Cooling2421%
Air Bags1916%
Electrical System1614%
Visibility1311%
Exterior Lighting119%
Structure109%
Power Train98%
Engine87%
Unknown Or Other65%
Steering65%
Latches/Locks/Linkages65%
Service Brakes65%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2002 BMW X5 4-DR. w/SABNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Air Bags,unknown Or Other - filed 2025-01-18

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.

Steering - filed 2023-03-25

Several components or systems have failed or malfunctioned, including the ABS module, power steering, rear left turn signal connection, speedometer, and there are various error codes (P0313, P0500, P1093, P2098, OBDII FAIL, OBD bulb check FAIL). It is not clear if these components are available for inspection upon requ...

Latches/Locks/Linkages - filed 2021-04-09

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 WA...

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More for the 2002 BMW X5

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.