Most common 2002 BMW X5 problems
Share of the 102 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 →
2002 BMW X5 recalls (4)
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front safety belt tensioner and buckle assemblies, and if necessary, replace these parts. Owner notification began March 19, 2003.
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.
What 2002 BMW X5 owners say
Engine & cooling all 28 →
I replaced the oil separator at BMW dealership 1/10/08 because oil was becoming polluted with water even after I explained to dealership previous times the oil looked milky when I did a dipstick check. The dealer told me the part failed before it caused extensive damage and a condition known as hydrolock, which could cause engine to seize. Last week in very cold weather conditions,1/13,2015 my cars cabin filled with black smoke. I pulled over and found the engine spoiled with smoking oil, I took it to an independent repair shop and it was the oil separator again. The part is also known as the crankcase vent valve I had it changed/repaired, it is expensive and can cause serious vehicle damage and accidents. I think for this to happen twice points to a dangerous vulnerable part. …
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. …
Air bags
Vehicle fire was parked for a couple of days and owner went to car and notice that the interior of the vehicle had a past tense fire. The airbags were deployed expect for the one on the passenger side door. No exterior damage noted to the vehicle or in the engine compartment. The fire origin was on the passenger side dashboard behind the glove compartment and airbag, please contact sioux city fire rescue for further information.
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, [phone]) 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.
Electrical system
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 new one and when I took the old one out to replace it I found that it had caught on fire and blew fuse 14. It appears a thyristor or tiac got to hot and set the board and case on fire. I had smelt a plastic smell earlier while driving so it May have been burning before I parked. I am attaching photos.
Vehicle fire was parked for a couple of days and owner went to car and notice that the interior of the vehicle had a past tense fire. The airbags were deployed expect for the one on the passenger side door. No exterior damage noted to the vehicle or in the engine compartment. The fire origin was on the passenger side dashboard behind the glove compartment and airbag, please contact sioux city fire rescue for further information.
2002 BMW X5 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 16 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 BMW X5 a good car?
Based on 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 X5 rates better than average: 40% 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 2002 BMW X5?
The engine & cooling — 28 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the air bags (19) and electrical system (16).
How many recalls does the 2002 BMW X5 have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2002 BMW X5, the most recent from January 14, 2019 (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 2002 BMW X5 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 88,000 miles; 18% 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.