What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2002 BMW X5

Typical pattern

5.5% of complaints about the 2002 BMW X5 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2002 vehicle — around the middle of the 230 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 9.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine cooling (20 complaints), typically at 7.0 yr or about 83,615 miles.

Complaints
128
Median age at failure
9.3 yr
Median mileage
91,000 n=106
Crash / fire / tow
15.6% of reports
Safety recalls
3 1 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine cooling
20 reports · 83,615 mi
7.0 yr
15%
Air bags
19 reports · 144,900 mi
13.8 yr
15.8%
Electrical system
16 reports · 150,000 mi
13.8 yr
18.8%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

17V047000 2017-01-20 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

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 occurri

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.

03V032000 2003-02-04
Seat belts:front:buckle assembly

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.

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.

03V001000 2003-01-09
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

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.

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.

In owners’ own words

Air bags mileage not reported 1.3 yr in service
CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO BE INOPERATIVE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.*JB
Air bags 82,944 mi 6.9 yr in service
WE WERE BACKING UP THE CAR FROM THE RESTAURANT AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG AND CURTAIN AIR BAG POPPED OPEN BUT NOT DEPLOYED WITH AIR FOR NO REASON. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER THEY SAID SENSOR UNDERNEATH THE CAR INITIATED, AND TO REPAIR COSTS WILL BE $4,000.00. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO FIX THE CAR AND THEY RELEASED THE CAR TO ME. THE BAGS ARE NOT DEPLOYED AND AFRAID OF DEPLOYING WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Air bags 82,944 mi 6.9 yr in service
WE WERE BACKING UP THE CAR FROM THE RESTAURANT AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG AND CURTAIN AIR BAG POPPED OPEN BUT NOT DEPLOYED WITH AIR FOR NO REASON. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER THEY SAID SENSOR UNDERNEATH THE CAR INITIATED, AND TO REPAIR COSTS WILL BE $4,000.00. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO FIX THE CAR AND THEY RELEASED THE CAR TO ME. THE BAGS ARE NOT DEPLOYED AND AFRAID OF DEPLOYING WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Electrical system 3,000 mi 1.3 yr in service
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONTINUOUSLY FAILS,CAUSING THE INTERIOR LIGHTS, SIDE REAR MIRROR, TRUNK LATCH, AND AUTOMATIC LOCKS ETC TO MALFUNCTION. DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIX OR FIND THE CAUSE.*AK

Other X5 model years

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