16 of the
136 complaints about the 2002 BMW X5 are about the
electrical system — 12% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
146,000 miles.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11405711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 179,000 milesFreeport, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 SERVIES IS 40 MILES AWAY . I HAVE A RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG , BUT NOT TAKING A CHANCE ON DRIVING IT TO GET FIXED
NHTSA complaint #11320264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesWest Salem, WIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DASHBOARD WENT DARK, ONLY GAUGE THAT WORKED WAS THE TACHOMETER WHICH I COULDNT SEE BECAUSE I HAD NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS. STOPPED VEHICLE AND TOOK THE KEYS OUT COULDNT TURN MY LIGHTS OFF HAD NO TURN SIGNALS,THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON ALL NIGHT LONG KILLING THE BATTERY I TRIED EVERY FUSE. ALSO MY HEADLIGHTS WOULDNT TURN OFF THE LIGHTING CONTROLS WERE USELESS, AND JUST KEPT SMELLING AN ELECTRONIC BURNING SMELL. I MANAGED TO DISCONNECT ALL THE LIGHTS EXCEPT THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT. COULDNT DISCONNECT THE BATTERY BECAUSE THE LIFT GATE TO GET INTO THE BACK WOULDN'T WORK AND THE CENTER CONSOLE HAZARDS STUCK ON AND DOOR LOCKS DIDN'T WORK I HAD TO REMOVE THE GLOVE BOX AND ALL THE PANELING AND TRACK DOWN THE SMELL. TURNS OUT THE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE IS THAT THE RAIN MANAGES TO WORK ITSELF DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE A FRAME ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES OF THE VEHICLE ON DRIVER SIDE IT DESTROYS THE OBD MODULE BUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IT TRICKLES DIRECTLY INTO THE LCM LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE WHICH COMPLETELY TAKES YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD WHEN YOU CANT SEE THE DASHBOARD YOUR HEADLIGHTS START STROBING ON AND OFF AND THEN HALF GET STUCK ON AND HALF JUST DONT WORK BUT WHEN YOU SPEND THE HOURS GETTING TO THE LCM TO FIND OUT IT HAS MELTED RIGHT INTO THE SIDE OF YOUR VEHICLE AND YOU CAN TELL IT WAS ON FIRE !! AND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUS PEOPLE ON THE BMW FORUMS IM JUST HAPPY MY 3 YEAR OLD SON WASN'T WITH ME. AND THE REAL KICKER IS THAT I HAVE NO VEHICLE NOW AND IT COST 600$ FOR A NEW LCM THAT HAS TO BE PROGRAMMED TO YOUR VEHICLE WHICH WILL COST ANOTHER 300$ WHEN I COULD HAVE HURT SOMEONE ELSE OR MYSELF WHEN YOU CANT SEE BUT YOU CAN SMELL SOMETHINGS BURNING ITS A HAZARD TO EVERYONE ON AND OFF THE ROAD .
NHTSA complaint #11319639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,368 milesTooele, UT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11266415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,517 milesChula Vista, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TAKATA INFLATOR REPLACES ON DRIVERS AIRBAG REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO. THEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT SHOWED DEFECTIVE SENSOR. BMW SAID THE WOULD EXTEND WARRANTY 15 YEARS BUT CAR IS NOW 17 YEARS OLD. HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE GENERAL MODULE FOR REMOTE OPENING OF AND LOCKING DOORS.
NHTSA complaint #11182412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesWoonsocket, RI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE SUSPENSION/SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS ROTTED. ALSO, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS WACKY. MY SPEEDOMETER AND ABS LIGHT TURN ON AND OFF - INCLUDING MY ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION LIGHT FLASH ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECK AND THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #11169931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,000 milesSioux City, IAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11082006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 155,003 milesCavecreek, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10735800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesDenver, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10668801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,123 milesWest Simsbury, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TWO SAFETY CONCERNS: (1) LED ON DASHBOARD FADED OUT. KEY DRIVING INFORMATION IS NOW NOT AVAILABLE IN ORDER TO SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR. (2) REAR TAILGATE WILL NOW UNEXPECTEDLY UN-LATCH AND POP OPEN IN WHICH I HAVE TO PULL OVER, GET OUT OF THE CAR AND CLOSE IT. IT IS CAUSED BY POOR SEALING WHICH DOESN'T KEEP OUT RAIN AND SNOW. ONCE I CLOSE THE TAILGATE, IT WILL EVENTUALLY OPEN AGAIN! BMW KNOWS ABOUT THESE SAFETY PROBLEMS ON THE X5 AND WOULD NOT HELP WITH MATERIAL AND LABOR COST OF $ 1565.
NHTSA complaint #10405068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,000 milesMarcy, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEAT/AC KEPT BLOWING AFTER CAR WAS TURNED OFF CAUSING BATTERY TO DIE SO THE CAR WONT START IN THE MORNING. ORIGINAL PART WAS DEFECTIVE BMW KNEW ABOUT IT AND UPGRADED THE PART. WHICH I BOUGHT ON EBAY THEN THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. THE NAME OF THE PART THAT IS DEFECTIVE IS THE FINAL STAGE RESISTOR. BMW WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10376988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,500 milesAtlanta, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH APPROACHING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE STALLED WITHIN SEVEN TO TEN MINUTES AFTER THE BRAKE WARNING ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE DIDN'T PREVENT THE CONTACT FROM OPENING THE DOOR REMOTELY. THE DEFECTIVE BATTERY WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR TWENTY MINUTES WITH THE NEW BATTERY WHICH FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE BATTERY WAS INOPERABLE. THE ORIGINAL BATTERY WAS RECHARGED AND INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED FOR SERVICE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,525. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,500.
NHTSA complaint #10324316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,500 milesChula Vista, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
2002 BMW X5 MISFIRES FROM FAULTY ENGINE COILS. SIMILAR RECALL TO THE 3 SERIES BUT DEALERSHIP SAID X5 NOT INCLUDED.
NHTSA complaint #10225673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elmont, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10210775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hendersonville, NC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10091343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesClarksville, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONTINUOUSLY FAILS,CAUSING THE INTERIOR LIGHTS, SIDE REAR MIRROR, TRUNK LATCH, AND AUTOMATIC LOCKS ETC TO MALFUNCTION. DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIX OR FIND THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #10004694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.