Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 BMW X5, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling21
- Air bags19
- Electrical system16
- Visibility12
- Structure9
- Exterior lighting8
- Engine7
- Latches/locks/linkages6
- Steering6
- Power train6
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 9 2002 X5 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 5 people died inside them, and 2 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2002 BMW X5 failed the safety check 2.12% of the time — 6% more often than the average 2002 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 143,943 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
46 first registered in 2002 are on Dutch roads; 100% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen40
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde18
- Band onvoldoende profiel15
- Stofhoes aandrijfas beschadigd en dicht niet af11
- Band beschadigd10
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm7
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt7
- Fusee(kogel) te veel speling7
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
641 cars built in 2002 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 1,175 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 1,402 of these cars first registered in 2002 took their annual MOT test. 62% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2002 the figure was 58%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2002 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 20.0% | 20.8% |
| Brakes | 16.3% | 13.6% |
| Suspension | 13.6% | 15.8% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 12.2% | 9.7% |
| Visibility | 7.3% | 7.7% |
| Tyres | 7.0% | 6.0% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In New Zealand
148 2002 cars are on the New Zealand register; 40% arrived as used imports, 54% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 3 variants: combined 14.7–16.3 L/100 km (about 14–16 mpg US), CO₂ 338–375 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| X5 · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 16.4 | 12.7 | 14.7 |
| X5 · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 17.3 | 12.5 | 15.1 |
| X5 · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 18.2 | 13.9 | 16.3 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
5 Transport Canada recalls for the 2002 BMW X5.
| 2019020 15 Jan 2019 | Airbag Issue: 2023 Update - BMW has updated this recall and issued a do not drive advisory for all vehicles that that not yet been repaired. Some vehicles may c… |
| 2017034 20 Jan 2017 | Airbag Issue: 2023 Update - BMW has updated this recall and issued a do not drive advisory for all vehicles that that not yet been repaired. This recall is for… |
| 2012129 12 Apr 2012 | Label Certain vehicles fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Specifically, the compliance label does not indicate the wheel rim size, as required… |
| 2003025 5 Feb 2003 | Seats And Restraints On certain vehicles, the cramping connection of the front safety belt buckle to the steel rope of the tensioner could detach in severe frontal crashes and could… |
| 2003001 8 Jan 2003 | Brakes On certain vehicles, the grommet holding the brake line to the front struts may slip out of its bracket. Consequently, the brake hose attached to the brake lin… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2002 BMW X5: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 629476 | INFORMATION REGARDING SERVICE ACTION TO CHECK REAR HATCH SWITCH. *YH |
| 628431 | SUBJECT REGARDING INCORRECT MATERIAL IN THE REAR HATCH SWITCH THAT MAY CAUSE THE SWITCH TO OPERATE THE ACTUATOR MOTOR WITHOUT THE SWITCH BEING DEPRESSED. *TT |
| 10249437 | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| 10247567 | Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low CDA594 - Message (- 0x33E) missing, receiver DME, transmitter TFE |
| 10245422 | Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicles equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm LED in the interior mirror does not briefly flash every 2 seconds, indicating the alarm is armed. |
| 10244258 | Second seat row blocking access to third seat row, program seat modules. Visible stitching on first row sport seat. Third seat row backrest Bowden cable routing and length change. |
| 10244242 | Various functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (ADCAM system) can lead to customer complaints. |
| 10244239 | This situation can result in two customer complaints: 1. Wind noise 2. Excess water entry |
| 10225126 | Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column. |
| 10225115 | Customer is unable to power up or charge accessories through a plug adapter inserted in the front 12-volt power socket plug. Alternatively, it will only operate when constant downward hand pressure is maintained. |
| 10225110 | The driver's side (left rear) of the 60/40 split 2nd row seat may intermittently not fully latch into position on one side (inner rail). |
| 10225107 | Coolant is leaking from under the car which is equipped with the S63 engine. A low coolant warning might also be displayed (CC Message ID166). |
| 10218412 | The fuel gauge may indicate the incorrect fuel level (full and reserve). |
| 10218384 | Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column. Note: Opening, closing and starting via the BMW Digital Key or the Digital Key Card are not affected. |
| 10218382 | A check control message for the restraint system appears. In the Instrument cluster, the red air bag warning light lights up permanently. One of the following fault codes stored in the ACSM (air bag control unit): 930949 - Knee airbag, driver: short circuit to negative terminal; 93094F - Knee airbag, front passenger: short circuit to negative terminal. |
| 10160287 | TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018. |
| 10160244 | TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018. |
| 10154816 | In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support page. This page will allow IRFs to check their customers VINs for open Takata recalls; and get rewarded for helping us with completing repairs. |
| 10153726 | TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES. |
| 10152674 | Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide |
| 10150160 | State Inspection and Emission (I/M) Test Fails Due To an Invalid VIN Number. The customer of an affected vehicle may fail to pass an I/M test due to a non-compliant 17digit vehicle identification number (VIN) stored in the DME (Digital Motor Electronic). The VIN read out and displayed on the state test printout does not match the actual VIN of the vehicle. If the DME was reprogrammed using the previously available BMW service equipment (e.g., Progman, GT1), it is possible that only the last 7 digits of the VIN were entered into the DME, and positions 4 through10 may only contain default chara |
| 10150039 | "?Panoramic Sunroof Repair Instructions. INFORMATION Sunroof Repair Instructions: The panoramic sunroof contains several ""mechanism sets"" which can be repaired and/or replaced independently in the event of a mechanical failure. When performing such a repair to any of these sets, the TIS/ISTA Repair Instructions (REP) should always be consulted. Due to the complex nature of these repairs, a set of complementary instructions with additional detail, explanation, and photos has been developed. The attached Repair Instructions should always be used in conjunction with the TIS/ISTA REP. " |
| 10149603 | "Panoramic Sunroof Repair Instructions. INFORMATION Sunroof Repair Instructions: The panoramic sunroof contains several ""mechanism sets"" which can be repaired and/or replaced independently in the event of a mechanical failure. When performing such a repair to any of these sets, the TIS/ISTA Repair Instructions (REP) should always be consulted. Due to the complex nature of these repairs, a set of complementary instructions with additional detail, explanation, and photos has been developed. The attached Repair Instructions should always be used in conjunction with the TIS/ISTA REP. Refer to t |
| 10149557 | For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer Support Program Overview attachment. This ?component-specific? customer support program applies only if there is a defect in materials or workmanship of the Takata driver?s side airbag module in a listed vehicle. |
| 10147861 | SI B12 08 08 Engine Electrical Systems December 2015 Technical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B12 08 08 dated April 2008. The vehicle's NOx emissions may exceed the legally mandated limits. By completing this Service Action, the DME is programmed with revised software to correct this situation. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)