Representative model. Photo: Vauxford, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2002 BMW X5 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2002 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 4
Park-it warnings: 2
Complaints: 115
Latest campaign: Jan 14, 2019

Recall summary by component4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Park‑it	Latest	Campaign IDs
Air bags	2	2	Jan 14, 2019	19V015000 17V047000
Seat belts	1	–	Feb 4, 2003	03V032000
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	–	Jan 9, 2003	03V001000

Safety recalls4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

2Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jan 14, 2019Latest campaign


Jan 14, 201919V015000	Air bags: frontal driver side An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 19V015000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. Risk An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Remedy Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under X5 Sav Campaign NHTSA 19V015000 · Jan 14, 2019
Jan 20, 201717V047000	Air bags: frontal driver side 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… Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 17V047000 What's wrong 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. 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. 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. Filed under X5 Campaign NHTSA 17V047000 · Jan 20, 2017
Feb 4, 200303V032000	Seat belts: front buckle assembly 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… DetailsHide details for campaign 03V032000 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. 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. 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. Filed under X5 Campaign NHTSA 03V032000 · Feb 4, 2003
Jan 9, 200303V001000	Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components hoses, lines/piping, and fittings THIS COULD INITIALLY CAUSE SOME BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, AND EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. DetailsHide details for campaign 03V001000 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. 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. 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. Filed under X5 Campaign NHTSA 03V001000 · Jan 9, 2003

Merged from NHTSA model names: X5 Sav, X5. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2002 BMW X5? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component115

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

115Complaints filed

4Involving a crash

8Involving a fire

3Injuries reported · 1 death

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine and engine cooling	24	21	0	2	2
Air bags	19	17	1	2	0
Electrical system	16	14	0	3	0
Visibility	13	11	0	0	0
Structure	10	9	0	2	0
Exterior lighting	10	9	0	2	0
Power train	9	8	2	0	1
Engine	8	7	0	2	0
Unknown or other	6	5	1	2	0
Steering	6	5	0	0	0
Latches/locks/linkages	6	5	0	0	0
Service brakes	6	5	0	0	0
Seat belts	4	3	0	0	0
Suspension	3	3	0	0	0
Hydraulic	3	3	0	0	0

7 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Air bags
“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.”
Filed 01/18/2025 · ODI 11636800
Steering
“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…”
Filed 03/25/2023 · ODI 11513773
Latches/locks/linkages
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw x5. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the hood inadvertently unlatched causing damage to the hood.”
Filed 04/09/2021 · ODI 11407235

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2002 BMW X5 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2002 BMW X5 have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2002 BMW X5. The most recent, 19V015000 (reported January 14, 2019), concerns air bags. 2 campaigns carry a park-it or park-outside warning. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2002 BMW X5 recalls for?

The largest group is air bags, with 2 campaigns. Others: seat belts (1), service brakes, hydraulic (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2002 BMW X5?

Engine and engine cooling is the most-reported component, named in 24 complaints out of 115 filed with NHTSA (21%). Across all complaints, owners reported 4 crashs and 8 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2002 BMW X5?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised BMW dealer.

Check a specific BMW by VIN

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