2002 BMW X5 recalls & problems

3 recalls 102 complaints

3recalls
102owner complaints
3crashes reported
7fires reported
3 / 1injuries / deaths

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2002 BMW X5 and 102 owner complaints. The part owners complain about most is engine and engine cooling (21 reports), followed by air bags (20). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers – enter your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car still has an open recall.

2002 BMW X5 recalls

Air Bags · NHTSA 17V047000 · Jan 20, 2017

Do not drive – the manufacturer advises owners not to drive these vehicles until repaired.

Problem: 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…

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

230,117 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Seat Belts · NHTSA 03V032000 · Feb 4, 2003

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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…

2,635 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 03V001000 · Jan 9, 2003

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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…

84,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

2002 BMW X5 problems by component

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling 21
022
Air Bags 20
120
Electrical System 16
030
Visibility 13
000
Structure 9
010
Exterior Lighting 8
020
Engine 7
010
Latches/Locks/Linkages 6
000
Power Train 6
101
Steering 6
000
Unknown or Other 5
110
Seat Belts 4
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 3
000
Service Brakes 3
000
Suspension 2
000
Vehicle Speed Control 2
000
Equipment 2
000
Visibility/Wiper 2
020
Fuel/Propulsion System 1
010

Latest owner complaints

Air Bags · Jan 18, 2025 · LA

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.

Unknown or Other · Jan 18, 2025 · LA

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 · Mar 25, 2023 · CA

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 request based on the information provided. The safety of the…

Latches/Locks/Linkages · Apr 9, 2021 · 117,000 miles · IA

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…

Structure · Apr 1, 2021 · 117,000 miles · IA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 BMW x5. The contact stated that he did not secure the vehicle's hood latch when he put the hood down. The contact then drove the vehicle at 35 MPH, when the hood flung up. No warning lights illuminated. Bmw of north liberty (525 madison ave, north liberty, ia 52317) was contacted and made aware of the issue. The dealer informed that they could not…

Visibility/Wiper · Mar 31, 2021 · 230,000 miles · TN · fire

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…

Electrical System · Mar 31, 2021 · 230,000 miles · TN · fire

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…

Exterior Lighting · Mar 31, 2021 · 230,000 miles · TN · fire

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…

Engine · Oct 23, 2020 · 153,000 miles · LA

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…

Air Bags · Oct 23, 2020 · 153,000 miles · LA

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…

Air Bags · Apr 5, 2020 · 179,000 miles · IL

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…

Electrical System · Apr 5, 2020 · 179,000 miles · IL

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…

Other BMW X5 years

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 BMW X5 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls covering the 2002 BMW X5, the most recent one (17V047000) for air bags. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW X5?

Based on 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are engine and engine cooling (21), air bags (20), electrical system (16).

Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2002 BMW X5?

Owners reported 3 crashes, 7 fires, 3 injuries and 1 death in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.