2002 BMW X5: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 BMW X5: 3 recalls, 102 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #03V001000 · 2003 · 84,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #03V032000 · 2003 · 2,635 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #17V047000 · 2017 · 230,117 vehicles
What's wrong: 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,…
Why it matters: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 7 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (21): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (12), warning light on (5), fire / smoke (5).
- Airbags (19): the most common themes are warning light on (5).
- Electrical (16): the most common themes are electrical failure (8), door / lock issues (7), fire / smoke (4).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (12): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2002 BMW X5 has 102 owner complaints, ranking #14 of 28 X5 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 113). Complaints peaked in 2008 (10 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 87,905 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (160 complaints, 12 recalls), 2003 (99 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Premium |
| 4.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 14 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 BMW X5.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2002 BMW X5 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2002 BMW X5. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2002 BMW X5 problems?
Owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (21), airbags (19), electrical (16).
What gas mileage does the 2002 BMW X5 get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (3.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 BMW X5 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.