10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
107,825 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 BMW X5 engine problems

engine problem

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2002 BMW X5 Owner Comments

problem #7

Aug 012020

X5

  • 153,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Carencro, LA, USA

problem #6

May 202018

X5

  • 93,000 miles
'takata recall ' when starting my vehicle it is a rough start lots of shaking causing the engine to fail after heating drives normally but does this everyday no engine check light. Car has shut off twice prior while driving on city streets due to engine failure

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #5

Jan 112013

X5

  • 130,000 miles
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.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #4

Jan 102008

X5

  • 50,775 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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. This time my car could have easily caught on fire, thankfully I was close to the repair shop.incidently they had three BMW's aside from mine with the same problem. Also the two separate incidents were repaired with cold weather/insulated kits. I could not even open my drivers side door window to get air it was inoperable when the cabin filled with smoke which was almost instantaneous.

- Longmeadow, MA, USA

problem #3

Dec 292014

X5

  • 86,000 miles
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.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #2

Apr 052014

X5

  • 89,000 miles
Over several occasions, the car engine shut down while we are driving. We can turn it on just after when we can get the car to a safe spot. I took the car to the BMW and they tell me nothing is wrong with the car!! this is a major safety issue and my wife had almost had a bad accident for this.

- Newton, MA, USA

problem #1

Nov 262012

X5

  • 153,000 miles
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.

- San Ramon, CA, USA

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