45 of the
4,530 complaints filed about the BMW X5
are about the doors, latches and locks —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2001.
2026 BMW X5 plug-in hybrid. Driver front and rear-left doors unexpectedly opened/unlatched while driving at freeway speeds. No dashboard warning before event. Problem has occurred multiple times. Vehicle presents serious occupant safety hazard. Dealer has not permanently resolved issue. 2 times dropped off at dealer but issues still there . Happened multiple times in the first monh after we bought the car , brought to dealer no resolved ,
NHTSA complaint #11744349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The front passenger door remained open as I was pulling out of my garage with my kid sitting in the front passenger seat. I thought he didn't close the door, but he was unable to close it. I got out of the car and it turns out the door wouldn't latch. There was no warning to the failure of the soft closing door mechanism. Just an alert that door is open. I had to drive it to the dealership the next day with rope securing the door to the pillar and the rear passenger door.
NHTSA complaint #11588598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The rear door opened on it own while driving on the freeway and refuses to close. The car has soft close doors and it seems like the mechanism is faulty. While driving an adult was seated in the rear left seat and was quickly able to hold the door while I slowly pulled over for safety. The door continues to behave the same way and continues to open on its own when I have closed it. I am currently not driving the vehicle, the dealer has refused to tell me the problem without a $300 diagnosis fee.
NHTSA complaint #11563418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sometime the rear soft closed door ajar with child safety locks engaged while in motion. Child safety locks used because have small children in the back seats. The children safety are at risk when the door ajar while turning. Had to pull over to re-closed the door because the door ajar warning light and sound is on. The dealership had inspect the issue and said there is a service bulletin on the locks.
NHTSA complaint #11557725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE HOOD INADVERTENTLY UNLATCHED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE HOOD SHOCKS AND HOOD HINGES TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS STILL AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.
NHTSA complaint #11407235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. VIN TOOLS CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10870873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT DRIVER AND REAR DRIVER SIDE DOORS OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE DOOR LATCHES WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,500.
NHTSA complaint #10627220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE LOCKS FAILED TO WORK WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS AN OCCASION WHERE SHE WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA complaint #10559164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS UNLOCKED MANUALLY WITH A SPARE KEY AND THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE DOOR LATCH WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,600.
NHTSA complaint #10552069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED, THE EXTERNAL DRIVER DOOR LATCH NOT WORKING, HAVE TO CLIMB OVER FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE, THIS IS RIDICULOUS, THIS IS ONE OF SEVERAL ISSUES I AM HAVING WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND SEE THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM AND IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY BMW. I HAVE HAD 2 OTHER USED VEHICLES WHICH BOTH HAVE LASTED ME 10 YEARS FROM THE DATES I PURCHASED THEM (AND THEY WERE ALREADY 8 AND 10 YEARS OLD. THIS IS MY FIRST BMW AND MIGHT BE MY LAST IF BMW DOES NOT TAKE ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLES SERIOUSLY AND HELP CONSUMERS. I AM SO SURPRISED AND DISAPPOINTED BY ALL OF THE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN IGNORED. THE DIFFERENCE COULD BE BIG BECAUSE THEY COULD LOSE ALOT OF WOULD-BE LOYAL CONSUMERS.
NHTSA complaint #10519727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY DAUGHTER WAS PUT IN THE BACKSEAT IN A HOT (100F) CAR AND STRAPPED IN. MY WIFE PLACED HER PURSE (KEYS IN IT) ON THE MIDDLE CONSOLE. THE DOOR WAS SHUT AND LOCKED ON ITS OWN, LOCKING MY CHILD IN THE CAR. WE CALLED BMW ASSIST TO REMOTELY UNLOCK THE CAR. THIS DID NOT WORK. POLICE AND FIRE WAS CALLED AND SHOWED UP ON SEEN. A NEIGHBOR FIREMAN CAME AND BROKE THE WINDOW. THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND MY WIFE CRAWLED THROUGH THE BROKEN WINDOW CUTTING HER LEG TO GET MY NOW HOT, RED AND LETHARGIC CHILD OUT OF THE CAR. AFTERWARD, THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT UNLOCK FOR 2 HOURS.
NHTSA complaint #10411500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. IN ORDER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WOULD CLIMB IN THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE COULD BE A FRACTURED BRACKET AND TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10405608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE 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.
NHTSA complaint #10384325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY WIFE HAD A HARROWING EXPERIENCE WITH THE 09 BMW-X5 LOCKING ITSELF WITH THE KEY IN THE CAR. REMOTE KEY WAS INSIDE THE CAR IN HER PURSE ON THE PASSENGER SEAT- UNTOUCHED BY ANYONE. CAR WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE OFF. CAR LOCKED ITSELF AFTER OUR TWO KIDS WERE SECURED IN THE BACKSEATS AND THEIR DOORS SHUT WITH MY WIFE OUTSIDE! IT WAS OVER 90 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND SHE DID NOT HAVE MUCH TIME TO CALL FOR HELP. MY 5 YEAR OLD'S ATTEMPTS TO OPEN THE DOOR RESULTED IN ALARM GOING OFF AND EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN. FINALLY, BY LUCK, SHE WAS ABLE TO GUIDE THE 5 YEAR OLD TO GET TO THE FRONT SEAT AND LOCATE THE KEY FROM THE PURSE AND UNLOCK THE CAR. IF IT WAS ONLY THE 2 YEAR OLD INSIDE, SHE HAD NO OPTION BUT TO BREAK THE WINDOW! THIS IS A REALLY SCARY SITUATION FOR A LUXURY CAR AND A BRAND NEW ONE. IT HAD NEVER HAPPENED TO US. SURELY WE DO NOT WANT TO EXPERIENCE THIS AGAIN AND WISH IT ON NO ONE ELSE! WE SUSPECT THAT IT HAD TO BE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ELECTRONICS. IT HAS NOT OCCURRED AGAIN IN THE LAST 3 DAYS. THE REMOTE KEY IN THESE CARS ARE DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LOCK ITSELF WITH THE KEY INSIDE THE CAR AND THE DRIVER OUT!
NHTSA complaint #10339251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE HAVE A 2004 BMW X5, AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR INSIDE OPENING MECHANISM HAS BROKEN TWICE; ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND ONCE AFTER. THE REPAIR COSTS NEARLY $800, SO MANY WILL NOT PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE PROBLEM ENDANGERS THE DRIVER IF IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEEDING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, AND IT IS CAUSED BY THE ROUTING OF THE CABLE THROUGH A PLASTIC PART.
NHTSA complaint #10301696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCH JAM ON DRIVER DOOR OF BMW X5 YEAR 2004. THE DOOR WILL NOT ALWAYS SHUT WHEN IT IS VERY COLD. IT WILL TAKE 30 TO 45 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WARMS UP TO SHUT. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA DOES NOT CLAIM THIS IS FAULTY FOR A RECALL. THEY HAVE RECEIVED OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THIS ISSUE ON OLDER MODEL X5'S. SINCE ALOT OF THE X5'S ARE NOT OUTSIDE AS MUCH AS MINE (I.E. OVERNIGHT) YOU WILL NOT HAVE A HUGE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS. THE COMPLAINTS WILL BE WITH THE ONES THAT ARE IN THE COLD WEATHER REGIONS OF AMERICAN AND ARE OUTSIDE FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIMES AND VERY FREQUENTLY OUTSIDE.. THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA SHOULD RECALL AND FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10297751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10295030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. ON APRIL 9, 2009, AFTER PARKING IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE. SHE WENT TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE TO GET HER CHILD OUT, BUT THE DOORS WERE LOCKED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY AND WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SHE CALLED AAA TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY ONE KEYLESS ENTRY LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS HER FIRST TIME EXPERIENCING THIS FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 88,022.
NHTSA complaint #10264958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE FRONT DOORS ON HER VEHICLE. SHE WOULD BECOME LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. SHE ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THEM WITH THE POWER DOOR LOCK MECHANISM, WHICH WORKED PROPERLY, BUT THE DOOR HANDLES WOULD NOT ALLOW THE DOORS TO OPEN. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THROUGH THE BACK DOORS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 93,140.
NHTSA complaint #10260657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.