NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 BMW X5 Recalls & Complaints

The 2002 BMW X5 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 102 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 BMW X5. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2002 BMW X5 owner complaints

Owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 BMW X5, describing incidents dated January 2, 2002 to January 18, 2025.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 28 complaints
  • Air Bags 19 complaints
  • Electrical System 16 complaints
  • Visibility/Wiper 14 complaints
  • Structure 9 complaints
  • Exterior Lighting 8 complaints

Of the 102 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 7 a fire; across all 102 complaints, owners report 3 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11636800 · Filed

    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.

  • ODI #11513773 · Filed

    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, P1093, P2098, OBDII FAIL, OBD bulb check FAIL). It is not clear if these components are available for…

  • ODI #11407235 · Filed

    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…

Read all 102 complaints

Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator may Rupture

NHTSA #17V047000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 20, 2017 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 230,117 vehicles

Repair completion: 24.66% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified March 15, 2017 · Vehicles built April 18, 2000 – January 31, 2003 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a BMW dealer immediately.

Defect description

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 installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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 began March 15, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

BMW/SEAT BELT BUCKLE TENSIONER

NHTSA #03V032000 · Seat Belts — Front — Buckle Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported February 4, 2003 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 2,635 vehicles

Owners notified March 19, 2003 · Vehicles built June 20, 2002 – September 4, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF THE CONNECTION DETACHES, THE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SAFETY BELT IS LIKELY TO BE IMPAIRED, AND SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER COULD OCCUR THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE MITIGATED.

Manufacturer 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 AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BMW /FRONT BRAKE HOSE

NHTSA #03V001000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported January 9, 2003 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 84,000 vehicles

Owners notified February 14, 2003 · Vehicles built August 1, 1999 – April 12, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD INITIALLY CAUSE SOME BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, AND EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. THERE COULD BE A NOTICEABLE REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCE IF A LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE OCCURS.

Manufacturer 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. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other BMW X5 model years

Check your 2002 BMW X5 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW X5 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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