Vehicle safety record

2002 BMW X5 Problems, complaints & recalls

No owner complaints about the 2002 BMW X5 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in January 2017 for the inflator module.

Share your experience See 3 recalls

NHTSA data checked 23 hours ago

81/100Safety Index

AFar fewer problems than a typical X5 year, for its age

Complaints: 0
Recalls: 3
Crashes: 0
Fires: 0
Injuries: 0
Deaths: 0

2002 BMW X5 recalls 3

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Air bags: inflator module

17V047000Jan 20, 2017230,117 vehicles affected

Do not drive

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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.

Seat belts: buckle assembly

03V032000Feb 4, 20032,635 vehicles affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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.

Service brakes: hoses, lines / piping, and fittings

03V001000Jan 9, 200384,000 vehicles affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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.

What owners say

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No complaints about the 2002 BMW X5 yet

No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.

BMW X5: every year compared

'99 '00 '01 0'02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '17 '18 '19 '20 '21 '22 '23 '24 '25

Year	Recalls	Top problem	Grade
2006	2	-	A
2005	3	-	A
2004	4	-	B
2003	3	-	A
2002	3	-	A
2001	12	-	D
2000	6	-	B
1999	1	-	A

All X5 years

2002 BMW X5 vs rivals

Vehicle	Complaints	Recalls	Crashes	Grade
2002 BMW X5	0	3	0	A
2002 Acura MDX	223	4	11	C	Compare
2002 Land Rover Range Rover	14	0	0	A	Compare
2002 BMW 3 Series	442	0	18	F	Compare
2002 BMW 7 Series	100	1	6	C	Compare
2002 BMW 5 Series Sport Wagon	98	0	8	-	Compare
2002 BMW M3 Convertible	90	0	4	C	Compare
2002 BMW M3 Coupe	84	0	4	-	Compare
2002 BMW K1200LT	37	0	1	D	Compare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

Questions about the 2002 BMW X5

Does the 2002 BMW X5 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2002 BMW X5: inflator module (January 2017); buckle assembly (February 2003); hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (January 2003). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

How many complaints has the 2002 BMW X5 had?

None have been filed with NHTSA so far.

Is the 2002 BMW X5 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 81 out of 100 (grade A: far fewer problems than a typical BMW X5 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

What should I do if my 2002 BMW X5 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked 23 hours ago. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data