2002 BMW X5 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 2002 BMW X5, and owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA. At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. Check your own VIN below.
- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
3 safety recalls for the 2002 BMW X5
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Inflator module (air bags) Do not drive
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. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module…
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. The recall…
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Buckle assembly (seat belts)
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. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an…
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
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.…
102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2002 BMW X5 have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA; 3 describe a crash and 7 describe a fire. Reports cite 3 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 91,421 miles. Complaints peaked in 2008 with 10 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Bmw has failed on several occasions to address this issue or service vehicle. I have made them aware of the situation but continue to receive letters that indicate I could die of the airbag.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 18, 2025 · Air bags
“Several components or systems have failed or malfunctioned, including the ABS module, power steering, rear left turn signal connection, speedometer, and there are various error codes (P0313, P0500, P1”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 25, 2023 · Steering
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2002 BMW X5 (X5 4.6is). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 13–16 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 11–14 / 16–19 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
| Engine | 6/8 cyl, 3/4.4/4.6 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S5); Automatic 5-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare BMW X5 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every BMW X5 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 BMW X5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 BMW X5 | 6 | 29 |
| 2001 BMW X5 | 12 | 160 |
| 2002 BMW X5 | 3 | 102 |
| 2003 BMW X5 | 3 | 99 |
| 2004 BMW X5 | 4 | 64 |
| 2005 BMW X5 | 2 | 82 |
| 2006 BMW X5 | 2 | 168 |
| 2007 BMW X5 | 8 | 71 |
| 2008 BMW X5 | 10 | 215 |
| 2009 BMW X5 | 12 | 138 |
| 2010 BMW X5 | 14 | 124 |
| 2011 BMW X5 | 14 | 263 |
| 2012 BMW X5 | 10 | 271 |
| 2013 BMW X5 | 6 | 149 |
| 2014 BMW X5 | 8 | 99 |
| 2015 BMW X5 | 6 | 152 |
| 2016 BMW X5 | 5 | 74 |
| 2017 BMW X5 | 6 | 75 |
| 2018 BMW X5 | 5 | 72 |
| 2019 BMW X5 | 13 | 191 |
| 2020 BMW X5 | 11 | 113 |
| 2021 BMW X5 | 12 | 108 |
| 2022 BMW X5 | 1 | 70 |
| 2023 BMW X5 | 4 | 33 |
| 2024 BMW X5 | 8 | 145 |
| 2025 BMW X5 | 5 | 62 |
| 2026 BMW X5 | 2 | 25 |
Checking a specific 2002 BMW X5
How do I know if my 2002 BMW X5 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 2002 BMW X5; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised BMW dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 03V001000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other BMW models
- 328I2,578 complaints
- X32,004 complaints
- 325I1,386 complaints
- Z41,281 complaints
- 3 Series843 complaints
- 528I835 complaints
- 330I815 complaints
- 335I810 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.