The 2002 BMW X5 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 316,752 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 136 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS17V0470002017-01-20230,117 affected
Defect
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…
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.
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.
SEAT BELTS03V0320002003-02-042,635 affected
Defect
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.
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.
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…
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC03V0010002003-01-0984,000 affected
Defect
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.
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.
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…
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
19
1crashes2fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
14
3fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
13
2fires2injuries
ENGINE
7
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
7
STRUCTURE:BODY
7
1fires
STEERING
6
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
5
2fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5
1crashes1fires
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
4
Total complaints136
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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.”
“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.”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw x5. The contact stated that he did not secure the vehicle's hood latch when he put the hood down. The contact then drove the vehicle at 35 mph, when the hood flung up. No warning lights illuminated. Bmw of north liberty (525 madison ave, north liberty, ia 52317) was…”
“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…”
“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…”
“Car was parked. I tried to unlock my car with the key fob and nothing happened. I unlocked the door with the key and after getting in the central locking system would not work. After researching the problem I found that the gmiii controls the central locking as well as other items like the…”
“Car was parked. I tried to unlock my car with the key fob and nothing happened. I unlocked the door with the key and after getting in the central locking system would not work. After researching the problem I found that the gmiii controls the central locking as well as other items like the…”
“Car was parked. I tried to unlock my car with the key fob and nothing happened. I unlocked the door with the key and after getting in the central locking system would not work. After researching the problem I found that the gmiii controls the central locking as well as other items like the…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 BMW X5 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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