2002 BMW X5

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2002· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  XENON HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO BRIGHT, BLIND ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THESE HEADLIGHTS SHOULD BE BANNED! WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO HEADLIGHT STANDARDS.

• 12/29/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE,ENGINE

  I'VE HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 WINDOW REGULATORS, MY REAR HATCH SEEMS TO OPEN FOR NO REASON, MY REAR WINDOW WIPER IS WORKING WITH THE SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION, LED'S ARE GOING OUT AGAIN AND NOW THE DREADED APPARENT OIL SEPARATOR WITH TONS OF GREY SMOKE BILLOWING OUT THE BACK OF THE CAR AFTER BEING LEFT IN AN AIRPORT PARKING LOT FOR 4 DAYS WHILST IT SNOWED OUTSIDE. SEEMS I'VE HAD EVERY TYPICAL PROBLEM OTHER THAN THE CAR CATCHING FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I HAVE OWNED BMWS IN GERMANY AND THE US FOR A LONG TIME, HOWEVER, I THINK I'LL BE SWITCHING BRANDS WITH MY NEXT VEHICLE. BMW DOESN'T SEEM TO BE PROACTIVE ENOUGH FOR MY LIKING WITH SOME OF THESE WAY TOO COMMON ISSUES. THIS IS A VERY LOW MILE VEHICLE FOR IT'S AGE AND IT'S ACTING LIKE A MODEL T. *TR

• 12/27/2010· AIR BAGSFire

  BMW X5 2002. CAR SITTING IN DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT ACTIVATED 5 OF 6 AIRBAGS. WINDSHIELD BROKE AND DASHBOARD SHOW FIRE DAMAGE.

• 12/15/2011· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 184,700.

• 12/13/2005· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I DRIVE A 2002 BMW X-5. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED AND FRUSTRATED BY THE FAILURE OF A BASIC COMPONENT OF MY AUTO. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THERE HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL SHORTS IN BOTH FRONT TURN SIGNALS AND ONE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS. AT 58,315 MILES THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET BURNED AT CONTACTS AND WAS REPLACED FOR $126.25. AT 85,549 MILES THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET BURNED OUT AND WAS REPLACED FOR $133.89. AT 88,685 MILES THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHT IS SHORTED OUT. THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK BUT THE REPAIR WAS QUOTED TO BE $239.00. THE SECOND FAILURE ACTUALLY HAPPENED AS I WAS DRIVING IN A HEAVY RAIN STORM. THE OTHER TWO FAILURES JUST SHOWED UP ON THE CAR'S DIAGNOSTIC SELF CHECK AT START UP. IT SEEMS THE LIGHT FIXTURES AND WIRING ARE PRONE TO WATER EXPOSURE THAT RESULTS IN THE ELECTRICAL SHORT. PERHAPS IT IS FAULTY DESIGN OR SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS. *JB

• 12/12/2002· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I DRIVE 3,000 MILES PER MONTH AND I'M TIRED OF BEING BLINDED BY BMW'S HID LIGHTS. NO MATTER IF THEY ARE COMING TOWARDS ME OR BEHIND THEY ARE TOO BRIGHT! OTHER MANUFACTURERS DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE X5 SUV IS THE ABSOLUTE WORST VEHICLE MADE TO DRIVE IN FRONT OF AT NIGHT. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER TO AVOID BEING BLINDED.THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURED IN THE THREE DIFFERENT VEHCILES THAT I DRIVE, SO HEIGHT OF MY VEHICLE IS NOT A CONTRIBUTING FACOR. I FEEL THAT THESE LIGHTS ARE DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE REDESIGNED

• 12/09/2009· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  I OWN THE 2002 BMW X2. I HAVE RUN INTO THE PROBLEM OF THE REAR PASSENGER (RIGHT-SIDE) DOOR UNLOCK. IT CANNOT BE UNLOCKED BOTH FROM THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF THE DOOR. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB SITES. THERE IS NOT A WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR. DEALER HAS TO UNBOLT THE WHOLE DOOR IN ORDER TO GET IT OUT. THE SAME PROBLEM CAN OCCUR TO ANY OF THE DOORS (OR ALL) AT THE SAME TIME. MOST PEOPLE (INCLUDING MYSELF) ARE HAVING CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE PASSENGERS/DRIVERS IF THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE IN THE CASE OF EMERGENCY (SUCH AS THE LEXUS' ACCELERATION PROBLEM OR FIRE/SMOKE) ESPECIALLY THE KIDS CANNOT BREAK THE WINDOW'S GLASS. CAN THE NHTSA ASK BMW BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING CORRECTIVE ACTION ASAP? OR BMW WILL WAIT TO TAKE ACTION AFTER ENOUGH PEOPLE DIE FROM THE BAD DESIGN. I HAVE NOT FIXED MY DOOR (SINCE BMW WILL CHARGE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS). AND I HAVE A 3 1/2 YEARS OLD KID. I THINK THAT BMW NEEDS TO RECALL THIS NEGLECTED PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/04/2007· SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I OWN A 2002 BMW X5 WITH LESS THAN 37,000 MILES. IN THE LAST 6-8 MONTHS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARM. MORE RECENTLY, I HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE HARNESS REWIRED AND THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. MY BRAKE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY GOING OUT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE REPLACED BULBS AND SOCKETS NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER X5 DRIVERS WHO HAVE HAD SOME OF THE SAME PROBLEMS SO I'M BEGINNING TO WONDER IF IT'S A BIGGER PROBLEM THAN JUST MY VEHICLE. *TR

• 11/28/2008· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON A 2002 BMW X5 3.0 AUTOMATIC WITH 69000 MILES. THE VEHICLE SLIPS IN REVERSE, AT TIMES IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. I'VE CONDUCTED ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE SINCE PURCHASED FROM ORIGINAL OWNER. I TOOK CAR TO A SHOP WHO SERVICES BMW'S AND THEY CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, WHICH WAS OK. LATER AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON PROBLEMS WITH BMW TRANSMISSION I WAS AMAZED ON HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE ARE WITH THE BMW TRANSMISSION. IF I WOULD OF KNOWN OF THE PROBLEM I WOULD OF NOT BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE OR ANY BMW. I WAS TOLD FROM MECHANICS THAT WORK ON THIS VEHICLE IT WILL COST ME AROUND $5000.00 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND SOONER OR LATER IT WILL FAIL BECAUSE THEIR TRANSMISSIONS ARE SEALED AND DO NOT REQUIRE FLUIDS OR MAJOR SERVICING. AFTER DOING ADDITIONAL RESEARCH ONLINE FOR ANY RECALL INFORMATION BMW HAS NOT SUBMITTED ONE WHATSOEVER. I AM PRETTY SURE BMW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND KNOWING A RECALL WILL COST THEM ALOT OF MONEY, THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AT A REASONABLE PRICE BUT WITH ME BEING THE ONLY INCOME IN MY HOUSEHOLD (MILITARY) I SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIR. I DO NOT EXPECT ANY RESOLUTION FROM BMW, HOWEVER, I WANT TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT TO CREATE AWARENESS FOR FUTURE CONSUMERS OF BMW AUTOMOBILES. THIS WILL BE MY FIRST AND ONLY BMW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. *TR

• 11/27/2012· STRUCTURE,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMFire

  AS MY WIFE AND I DRIVING TO HER MD APPOINTMENT ON 11/26/12. I'VE NOTICED GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CAR,AND CAR SUDDENLY LOSING POWER, WHEN I'VE STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT'S LIKE GAINING POWER TO GO AND SUDDENLY LOSES POWER. I WAS KIND OF CONFUSED WHAT HAPPENED . WE WERE ON THE ROAD RIGHT BEHIND THE INTERSECTION. WE HAD TO STOP FOR THE RED LIGHT,WHEN I'VE TRIED TO GO, THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING LIKE IT SHOULD. WE MADE IT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE INTERSECTION, WHICH THERE IS DENNY'S RESTAURANT PARKING LOT. BY THE TIME I'VE PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON,WE WERE STILL IN THE CAR. ALL OF THE SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD SOUND, LIKE EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND FIRE STARTED.THANKS GOD, WE GOT OUT OF THE CAR JUST IN TIME. THE FIRE WAS BURNING OUT OF CONTROL. COUPLE OF PASSERBY HAD FIRE EXTINGUISHERS IN THEIR CARS,TRIED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT, WHILE I WAS ON THE 911 CALL,BUT NO LUCK. IN JUST A LESS THAN A MINUTE THE WHOLE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IT TOOK FIRE DEPT LIKE 20-30 MINUTES TO PUT THE FIRE OUT,AND MY CAR JUST MELTED FRONT OF MY EYES. *TR

• 11/16/2012· STEERING

  I WAS DRIVING AND I TRIED TO TURN LEFT AND IT WOULDN'T. I TRIED TO TURN RIGHT AND IT UNLOCKED IT, SO I WAS ABLE TO TURN LEFT AFTERWARDS. IT DID IT AGAIN, THIS TIME IT LOCKED UP BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT. IT EVENTUALLY UNLOCKED AND I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR HOME, TEST DROVE IT AND IT SEEMS FINE AGAIN. IT COMES AND GOES. I CALLED THE BMW DEALER IN VISTA, CA TO SEE IF THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON IT AND THEY SAID THAT MY VIN DO NOT HAVE A RECALL ON STEERING. I CHECKED THE ONLINE POSTINGS AND APPARENTLY THERE ARE A LOT OF THIS CASES AND SOME OF THEM ARE DRILLING A PART OF STEERING COLUMN AND REMOVING A SPRING TO CORRECT THE PORBLEM. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY OLD BMW 525 BEFORE SO I JUNKED IT. *TR

• 11/06/2017· SEAT BELTS

  A CODE IS BEING THROWN THAT TRANSLATES TO "SEAT BELT TENSIONER, DRIVER'S SIDE". I SEE A RECALL IN YOUR DATABASE FOR THIS ISSUE AND 2002 BMW X5'S BUT WHEN I CALL THE DEALERSHIP (BMW OF THE MAINLINE) AND PROVIDE THEM MY VIN#, THEY SAID THE RECALL DOESN'T COVER MY PARTICULAR CAR. UNSURE WHY THAT WOULD BE AS I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM W/THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL CAR AS IN THIS RECALL. OBVIOUSLY, MY CAR SUFFERS FROM THE SAME ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECITIFIED BY BMW FREE OF CHARGE. THANKS

• 11/05/2003· SEAT BELTS

  REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED AND CAUSED THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT TO FLIP OVER.*AK *TS *NLM

• 10/28/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE ALSO MISFIRED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO COAST THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND IT IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,709.

• 10/23/2020· AIR BAGS,ENGINE

  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.

• 10/23/2009· AIR BAGSCrash

  I GOT INTO A AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON MONDAY OCT 19, 2009. I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 BMW X5. SOMEONE DRIVING AROUND 50MPH HIT MY X5 REAR IMPACT TO DRIVERS SIDE. THEN I BELIEVE IT DRAGGED ALONG THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE AXLES BROKE, TIRE WENT TO THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WAS BENT IN A WAY THAT THE ROOF WAS POINTING UPWARDS IN THE MIDDLE. THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT THAT MY CAR (X5) IS CONSIDERED TOTALED. THE ISSUE I HAVE IS THAT MY CAR SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH MANY AIRBAGS. HOWEVER, NON OF THE AIRBAGS OPENED TO PROTECT ME. *TR

• 10/13/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  BMW 4.4I X5. HAD SECOND OF TWO VALVE COVER LEAKS DUE TO OIL SEPARATOR BLOCKAGE. BOTH HAPPENED UNDER COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE ORIGINAL OIL SEPARATOR DESIGN WAS PRONE TO BLOCKAGE AND BMW HAD REDESIGNED THE SEPARATOR TO A "HEATED PART" ACCORDING TO MY DEALER. IN BOTH INSTANCES OF MY CAR'S FAILURE, THE VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED UNDER PRESSURE AND OIL LEAKED OUT ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO FIRE. BMW DEALERSHIPS ACKNOWLEDGED THE COMMON FAILURE OF THE OIL SEPARATOR DESIGN. ALTHOUGH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA WOULD NOT RESPOND TO MY INQUIRIES. SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY I PAID FOR ALL REPAIRS. I HAVE UPDATED THE VEHICLE TO THE NEW "HEATED PART" BUT HAVE NOT HAD A FULL WINTER ON THE VEHICLE TO STATE WHETHER OR NOT THE RE-DESIGN WAS SUCCESSFUL. *TR

• 10/04/2019· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS), THE HORN ACTIVATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FIVE TIMES TO BMW OF MURRAY (LOCATED AT 4735 STATE ST, MURRAY, UT 84107, (801) 262-2479) FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. AFTER THE LAST REPAIR, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT ALIGNED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT FUNCTION. ALSO, THE VOLUME CONTROL BUTTON AND HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,368.

• 10/01/2002· AIR BAGS

  CONSUMER STATES THAT HAD ORDER VEHICLE WITH BACK AND SIDE AIR BAGS AND THE AIR BAGS CAME DISCONNECTED. NLM

• 09/26/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. WHEN MAKING A TURN AT 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER IT WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE DME, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

• 09/23/2019· AIR BAGS

  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.

• 09/23/2002· STRUCTURE

  WHILE PARKING, CONSUMER TAPPED THE BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A BMW MECHANIC FOR AN APPRAISAL. THE MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE BUMPER HAD BEEN KNOCKED OFF IT'S MOORING. CONSUMER REQUESTS INFORMATION ON THE SAFTEY STANDARD OF THIS VEHICLE. *JG

• 09/20/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ONBOARD COMPUTER READOUT IS MISSING LIGHTS. MORE AND MORE LIGHTS ARE STARTING TO FAIL. THE SERVICE GUY HAS A SIMPLE SOLUTION, BUY A NEW BOARD.... NICE A RELATIVELY NEW CAR NEEDS AN EXPENSIVE PART THAT JUST FAILED ON IT'S OWN.*AK

• 09/19/2019· AIR BAGS

  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.

• 09/16/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MY 2002 BMW X5'S ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED ON MY WIFE FEW HOURS AGO TODAY, 09/16/08, WHILE SHE WAS JUST PASSING THROUGH A STOP LIGHT AROUND WHERE SHE WORK AT. THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR IS ABOUT 47000 MILES. I'D TO THANK GOD SHE WAS NOT DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN IT STALLED. NOW THE CAR WITH MY MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, THE CAR'S FRONT FAN THAT COOLS THE ENGINE FAILED TO WORK ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT ON A HIGHWAY WITH THE AC ON. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON SIDE OF THE ROAD AS THE TEMP GAUGE WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE RED ZONE. I HAD TO GET IT REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE. THEN, ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THE CAR'S FAN MOTOR THAT DISTRIBUTES THE AC/HEAT INTO THE CAR STOPPED WORKING. I'D TO HAD IT REPLACED ALSO WITH A NEW ONE. THAT'S ALL & THANKS. *TR

• 09/14/2015· SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

• 09/07/2011· POWER TRAIN

  AFTER VEHICLE IS PARKED FOR A FEW HOURS, WHEN YOU CRANK IT AND PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE IT SLIPS AND DOES NOT WANT TO ENGAGE. PROBLEM DOES NOT APPEAR WHEN VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE, ONLY REVERSE SO FAR. AS THE VEHICLE WARMS UP THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. *TR

• 09/07/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TAIL LAMP FAILURE. WARNING SYSTEM INDICATED LAMP FAILURE. THE FAILURE TURNED OUT TO BE LAMP CIRCUIT ASSEMBLY, AND NOT BULB. REPEATED FAILURES UNTIL I REPAIRED REAR LAMP ASSEMBLY ON MY OWN. BMW WOULD ONLY SUGGEST REPLACING ENTIRE LAMP ASSEMBLY AT SUBSTANTIAL COST. UPDATED 09/15/11 *TR

• 09/04/2003· VISIBILITY

  WHILE TRAVELING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING . *AK THIS OCCURRED AS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN AND SLEET. *SCC *JB

• 09/02/2011· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE WAS STILL PRESENT. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS A JAM IN THE STEERING LOCK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

• 09/02/2010· AIR BAGS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED REPEATEDLY AND THE DEALER COULD NOT REPAIR IT. THE DEALER MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DO SO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY INFORMED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE PARTS. SHE HAD TO PAY A $500 DEDUCTIBLE FOR THE LABOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

• 09/01/2008· AIR BAGS

  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

• 08/28/2002· VISIBILITY

  PASSENGER ELECTRONIC SIDE VIEW MIRROR RANDOMLY SITS INTO A DOWN POSITION. *SLC

• 08/22/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  IN A 2002 BMW X5 WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLS. IT HAPPENS NUMEROUS TIMES PER DAY. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THIS PROBLEM EXISTS IN MANY BMW VEHICLES AND IT OBVIOUSLY PRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR DRIVERS OF THE 2002 BMW X5. I HOPE A SAFETY RECALL IS ORDERED FOR THESE VEHICLES IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU ARE TO GOOGLE THIS ISSUE WITH BMW VEHICLES (1999-PRESENT) THERE IS A LAUNDRY LIST OF COMPLAINTS. RELATED TO THIS SUBMISSION, PLEASE SEE: HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/ARCHIVE/INDEX.PHP/T-74517.HTML [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 08/19/2009· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE HAS DISPLAYED VARIOUS CODES REGARDING THE ABS BRAKES AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED BY FIVE DEALERS. EACH OF THE DEALERS HAVE STATED THAT THE COMPUTER IS NO LONGER COMMUNICATING WITH THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH IS WHY THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL FULLY. ONE OF THE DEALERS STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE FOR $2200. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69380.

• 08/16/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER X5 ON A VERY COLD DAY IN JANUARY. SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG AS IF SHE HAD HIT SOMETHING. SHE STOPPED THE CAR BUT SAW NOTHING SO SHE DROVE ANOTHER 1/4 MILE HOME. AS SOON AS SHE STOPPED THE CAR FUMES STARTED BILLOWING FROM THE ENGINE. ON OPENING THE HOOD WE FOUND A SHATTERED VALVE COVER. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO WAS VERY GOOD ABOUT EXPLAINING WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND FIXING THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, BMW DECIDED NOT TO INSULATE PART OF THE OIL SEPARATOR VALVE FOR SOME OF THE X5 ENGINES. IN COLD WEATHER THE VALVE CAN STICK OPEN OR CLOSED CAUSING EITHER ENGINE FAILURE OR, AS IN MY WIFE'S CASE, A HIGH CRANKCASE PRESSURE WHICH EXPLODES THE VALVE COVER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT 17 MONTHS OLD AND HAD ABOUT 5 THOUSAND MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED, SO THE REPAIR WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE INADEQUATE PART WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY. BMW KNEW THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, THEY HAD ALREADY SENT A BULLETIN TO EVERY DEALER LETTING THEM KNOW ABOUT IT BUT HAVE DECIDED AGAINST ISSUING A RECALL.*AK

• 08/14/2002· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  BMW, R1150R, 2002;GAS LEAK COMING FROM VEHICLE. CONSUMER CAN SMELL GAS, AND GAS IS ALL OVER THE GARAGE FLOOR. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAGETY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 08/13/2010· STEERING

  I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 65MPH, ALL THE SUDDEN I HAVE NO CONTROL OF MY STEERING, IT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER, I'VE ALMOST CRASHED IN TO THE OTHER VEHICLE WITH MY TWO INFANTS IN THE CAR. CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY SAYS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE POWER STEERING PROBLEMS, THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND SAID IM GOOD TO GO...MY CAR IS 2002 BMW X5 3.0I. *TR

• 08/08/2016· ENGINE

  TIMING CHAIN CUT.CAR DOESN'T START OR RUN.BUT WITH VERY CLEAN BODY IN & OUT.WANTS TO KNOW IF THIS SUV IS UNDER GOVT. RECALL.ODOMETER IS 130,000.

• 08/08/2002· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  SPONTANEOUS FUEL LEAK FROM QUICKCONNECT DEVICES AND FUEL HOSE CLAMPS. THE CRIMP TYPE CLAMP LOOSENS OVER TIME; LEAKED FUEL COULD SPILL ON CATALYTIC CONVERTER.

• 08/07/2003· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  BMW, R1150R, 2002; THE CONSUMER STATED UPON COLD START, THE MOTORCYCLE LEAKED 2 OUNCES OF FUEL ONTO THE EXHAUST. THE DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE O RINGS ON QUICK DISCONNECT FUEL LINES. *AK *CB *JB

• 08/03/2012· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ALONG I 90 THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY TURNED OFF. THE CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A FAULTY OIL SEPARATOR. *TR

• 08/02/2002· UNKNOWN OR OTHERCrash

  DUE TO FLOOR MAT HAVING MOVEMENT MAT SLID AGAINST GAS PEDAL. OWNER WAS IN REVERSE AND ACCELERATED BACKWARDS INTO A CONCRETE GARAGE. GAS PEDAL ISHAS BEEN ATTACHED AT THE FLOOR. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

• 07/30/2008· SUSPENSION

  HAD MY FRONT THRUST ROD BUSHINGS REPLACED AT BMW DEALER DUE TO VIBRATION IN STEERING AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES. PROBLEM RETURNED AT 74000 MILES (2.5 YEARS LATER). DEFECTIVE MATERIAL RESULTS IN BUSHING CRACKS WHICH NEGATIVELY AFFECTS STEERING. *TR

• 07/30/2008· VISIBILITY

  RUBBER AROUND THE WINDSHIELD IS CRUMBLING. OBVIOUS DEFECTIVE MATERIAL USED IN THE RUBBER COMPOUND. BMW REFUSES TO ADDRES THE PROBLEM. *TR

• 07/29/2008· POWER TRAIN

  CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR SERVICE. 80,000 MILES. NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM ON START UP. EXPERIENCED SUDDEN TOTAL LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FUNCTION. THE CAR ROLLS WHEN IN PARK. A GRINDING SOUND IS NOTED IN CABIN. *TR

• 07/26/2002· VISIBILITY

  POWER SIDE MIRRORS AUTOMATICALLY GO DOWN AND FACE GROUND WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. DEALER DOES NOT HAVE A SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK *YH

• 07/22/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL FAILED DUE TO A THERMAL EVENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,003.

• 07/07/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 2002 BMW X5 SUV FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES (MOSTLY HIGHWAY) WHEN THE "FAIL SAFE" LIGHT CAME ON. HE BEGAN TO PULL INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE WHEN THE CAR STALLED AND "SYSTEM FAILURE" LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR, THERE WERE FLAMES SHOOTING OUT FROM BENEATH THE ENGINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. HE AND HIS FIANCE QUICKLY RAN DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITH BLACK SMOKE FILLING THE SKY WITHIN MOMENTS. THE CAR IS TOTALED WITH ALL WINDOWS MELTED AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. BOTH FRONT TIRES EXPLODED. I HAVE GONE ONLINE AND THERE ARE MANY X5'S THAT HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR

• 07/01/2014· POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITYCrash

  DRIVING AT 50 MPH I WAS BEING HARASSED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT. I DECIDED TO LET HIM PASS BUT FIRST I HAD TO SPEED UP TO 58 MPH INORDER TO COMPLETELY OVERTAKE A PASSENGER CAR TO MY RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) I GAVE THE THROTTLE SOME GAS AND THE CAR WENT NOWHERE. THE NEEDLE WENT ALL THE WAY INTO THE RED ZONE ON THE TACHOMETER. THE DRIVER BEHIND ME (ANOTHER BMW 3 SERIES),TAILGATED ME. IT SCARED ME SO BAD, THAT I DID NOT SEE A DEEP POT HOLE IN THE ROAD SURFACE. I HIT IT SO HARD, THAT I SPUN AROUND AND ALL OF MY WHEELS WERE DAMAGED. I HAD ALL FOUR WHEELS REPAIRED AND TIRES AT A COST OF $2000.THE DAY BEFORE, I NOTICED THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS ON. OF COURSE, I WANT THIS CHECKED OUT.SO I SCANNED THE CAR. IT WAS DISPLAYING 000030 BMW/ OR FOR/ P CODE P0741 " TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH VALVE STUCK OFF .SO I WENT TO A BMW DEALER. EXPLAINED EVERYTHING. THEY SHOW ME THE CODES PULLED FROM THE CAR. THE CODE FOR THE TC CLUTCH VALVE NOT WORKING WAS SHOWN.(THEIR EQUIVALENT TO P0741) THEY TELL ME IT IS THE DISA VALVE.???? IS BMW TRYING TO COVER THIS UP?.DISA HAS ZERO TO DO WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER. I SEE HOW MANY HAVE FAILED AND BMW DOES NOTHING? I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND WITH MY REQUEST IN A MANNER THAT AFFECTED MY WELL BEING. IF THIS PROBLEM IS INVOLVED WITH MANY, MANY CLAIMS BECAUSE OF A PART THAT IS PROVEN TO BE DEFICIENT AS IT SOUNDS, I AM SURE IF INVESTIGATED YOU WILL FIND SOME INJURIES AND/OR DAMAGES AND DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED AND WHEN THE DEALER SEES A BAD ONE, THEY TRY TO BILL IT OUT AS SOMETHING ELSE. I CAN NOT BE THE ONLY ONE. AND WHY DID THE BMW DEALER TRY TO RIP ME OFF? I LIKE MY CAR BUT THE LETTERS BMW PUT A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH. RIGHT DOWN TO THE JERK WHO TRIED TO RUN ME OFF OF THE ROAD. BMW= ? ANYONE ELSE? ANYONE WHO WAS TOLD SOMETHING ELSE WAS BAD WHEN IT IS A BAD SEAL INSIDE THE TORQUE CONVERTER? *TR