Most common 2000 BMW X5 problems
Share of the 29 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW X5 complaints by model year
Best X5 years: 2016, 2014, 2017. Years to avoid: 2024, 2025, 2012, 2011, 2019. Compare all years →
2000 BMW X5 recalls (7)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 X5 vehicles that may be equipped with a sport steering wheel containing a Takata PSDI-4 air bag inflator. The inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature, and…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's front air bag, as necessary, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
On certain passenger vehicles, due to a manufacturing problem, the brake pedal arm pivot shaft could loosen from its support bracket.
Remedy: Dealers will check the brake pedal arm pivot shaft for proper seating in its support bracket. In addition, a pin will be installed to secure the shaft to the bracket. Owner notification began August 14, 2002.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: 4.4i sport utility vehicles. There is a plastic carrier to which the oil filter housing is attached. Oil supply and return lines are attached to the filter housing. Over time, this carrier could sag slightly.
Remedy: Dealers will install a rubber spacer below the plastic carrier to prevent sagging and subsequent contact between the oil and brake lines.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
Vehicle description: 4.4i sport utility vehicles. Over an extended period of time, abrasion particles could deposit on the electrical contacts within the switch, causing a disruption of the electric current through the contacts.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission gear position indicator switch. Owner notification began August 14, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…
Show 1 more recall
Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The lower steering shaft coupling includes a plastic collar which fits over the lower steering rack input shaft. This collar is pushed down onto the steering rack and tightened during assembly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering rack input shaft collar for proper positioning, and reposition is necessary.
What 2000 BMW X5 owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof
Tl contact owns a 2000 BMW X5. The contact stated that the front driver and rear passenger windows have fallen inside the door due to a faulty regulator. The contact has taken the vehicle to a dealer to have the driver side window repaired and five days after the repair the rear passenger side window broke. The contact has called the manufacturer and requested that they assume the cost since the warranty has expired. The contact is concerned that a defect investigation was not available for his year make and model vehicle. The failure mileage was 60,000.
1.windshield wipers suddenly stopped working at highway speed during heavy rain and traffic putting me in a dangerous situation (problem was not caused by a fuse). 2. Windshield seems to continously degrade (Mini-craters like it would desintegrate itself) ... Not caused by stone or other road related objects. Dealer claims that stones are causing it, which is not true, they are too many of them and too small.
Transmission & drivetrain
On June 3, 2009 I took my X5 BMW to checkered flag BMW 5225 virginia beach blvd virginia beach, virginia 23454 to have an inconsistent hesitation checked. There was no check engine or transmission light on. The vehicle was left with the dealer for 3 days, the service manager called on June 6, 2009 , told my husband and I that the transmission was completely burned up. I told the service manager that the X5 has a seal transmission. According to my service manual a warning light should had came on putting the vehicle in transmission safe mode informing me to take it to the dealer for service. This would prevent any damage to the transmission. However no warning light came on. Basically he told us the vehicle was made with a defected transmission modulecontrol part. We told him to fix the transmission and that it wasn't my fault it was defected. He refused to repair it .
Tl*- while driving the 2000 BMW X5 at 40 MPH the transmission disengaged, causing the rpms to rise rather than dropping back into gear. The disengaging and dropping back into gear happened about 4-8 times within 10-15 minutes. The contact took vehicle to a european vehicle repair facility, and they stated that the transmission was completely burned. The contact stated that there is no way to check or change the transmission fluid other then removing the transmission from the vehicle. The contact has done some research online ,and that this transmission problem seems to occur around 80,000 miles. His vehicle's failure mileage was 82,000 miles.
Locks & latches
Tl contact owns a 2000 BMW X5. While parked, the contact attempted to exit the vehicle using the front driver side door but the door would not open. The contact exited the vehicle through another door and noticed the front driver side door also would not open from the outside. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 76,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Door lock will lock and unlock when switch is used, but the door latch will not release when in unlocked position. Consumer had to crawl out through window. BMW has been contacted.
2000 BMW X5 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 BMW X5 a good car?
Based on 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 X5 rates better than average: 78% fewer complaints than a typical year of the X5 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 BMW X5?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 7 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about glass, side/rear. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (7) and locks & latches (3).
How many recalls does the 2000 BMW X5 have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2000 BMW X5, the most recent from October 31, 2025 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW X5?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2014 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2025, 2012, 2011 and 2019. See the full BMW X5 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2000 BMW X5 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 8% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.