2002 BMW X5 Complaint Log

IN JANUARY OF 2010 DURING A COLD WEATHER SPELL, I STARTED MY CAR AND STARTED DRIVING SLOWLY. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND FROM EXHAUST PIPES. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. HE DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS A FAILURE OF THE SEPARATION VALVE THAT CAUSED THE INCREASE PRESSURE UNDER THE VALVE COVER. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO AVOID EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND MY BILL WAS "ONLY" AROUND $350 (PLUS TOWING). I DID MY RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT BMW HAD KNOWN ABOUT THAT PROBLEM ALL ALONG AND DID NOTHING. THERE WAS A TSB ISSUED FOR CANADIAN MARKET BUT NO RECALL WAS ISSUED. LATER MODELS OF X5 WERE EQUIPPED WITH UPDATED VALVE, IT APPEARS THAT MANY OWNERS HAD THEIR ENGINES COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND THE COMPANY DID NOTHING TO HELP THEM. I'M ENJOYING DRIVING MY X5 BUT BELIEVE THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD HAVE RECTIFIED THE PROBLEM EARLIER AND SHOULD HAVE COMPENSATED THE OWNERS FOR OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES FOR THE PROBLEM THAT WAS WELL KNOWN ONE.

I GOT INTO A AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON MONDAY OCT 19, 2009. I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 BMW X5. SOMEONE DRIVING AROUND 50MPH HIT MY X5 REAR IMPACT TO DRIVERS SIDE. THEN I BELIEVE IT DRAGGED ALONG THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE AXLES BROKE, TIRE WENT TO THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WAS BENT IN A WAY THAT THE ROOF WAS POINTING UPWARDS IN THE MIDDLE. THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT THAT MY CAR (X5) IS CONSIDERED TOTALED. THE ISSUE I HAVE IS THAT MY CAR SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH MANY AIRBAGS. HOWEVER, NON OF THE AIRBAGS OPENED TO PROTECT ME. *TR

I OWN THE 2002 BMW X2. I HAVE RUN INTO THE PROBLEM OF THE REAR PASSENGER (RIGHT-SIDE) DOOR UNLOCK. IT CANNOT BE UNLOCKED BOTH FROM THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF THE DOOR. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB SITES. THERE IS NOT A WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR. DEALER HAS TO UNBOLT THE WHOLE DOOR IN ORDER TO GET IT OUT. THE SAME PROBLEM CAN OCCUR TO ANY OF THE DOORS (OR ALL) AT THE SAME TIME. MOST PEOPLE (INCLUDING MYSELF) ARE HAVING CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE PASSENGERS/DRIVERS IF THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE IN THE CASE OF EMERGENCY (SUCH AS THE LEXUS' ACCELERATION PROBLEM OR FIRE/SMOKE) ESPECIALLY THE KIDS CANNOT BREAK THE WINDOW'S GLASS. CAN THE NHTSA ASK BMW BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING CORRECTIVE ACTION ASAP? OR BMW WILL WAIT TO TAKE ACTION AFTER ENOUGH PEOPLE DIE FROM THE BAD DESIGN. I HAVE NOT FIXED MY DOOR (SINCE BMW WILL CHARGE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS). AND I HAVE A 3 1/2 YEARS OLD KID. I THINK THAT BMW NEEDS TO RECALL THIS NEGLECTED PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE HAS DISPLAYED VARIOUS CODES REGARDING THE ABS BRAKES AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED BY FIVE DEALERS. EACH OF THE DEALERS HAVE STATED THAT THE COMPUTER IS NO LONGER COMMUNICATING WITH THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH IS WHY THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL FULLY. ONE OF THE DEALERS STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE FOR $2200. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69380.

THE FAILURE: THE CAR WILL NOT AT TIMES REVERSE. WHEN IN REVERSE MODE THE CAR REMAINS AS IF IN NEUTRAL. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE SHOP A FEW TIMES, AFTER AWHILE THE ISSUE MAGICALLY REPAIRS ITSELF. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED OR WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE FRONT DOORS ON HER VEHICLE. SHE WOULD BECOME LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. SHE ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THEM WITH THE POWER DOOR LOCK MECHANISM, WHICH WORKED PROPERLY, BUT THE DOOR HANDLES WOULD NOT ALLOW THE DOORS TO OPEN. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THROUGH THE BACK DOORS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 93,140.

HEAT/AC KEPT BLOWING AFTER CAR WAS TURNED OFF CAUSING BATTERY TO DIE SO THE CAR WONT START IN THE MORNING. ORIGINAL PART WAS DEFECTIVE BMW KNEW ABOUT IT AND UPGRADED THE PART. WHICH I BOUGHT ON EBAY THEN THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. THE NAME OF THE PART THAT IS DEFECTIVE IS THE FINAL STAGE RESISTOR. BMW WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

ON DECEMBER 24, 2008, MY WIFE WAS ON HER WAY TO THE BMW OF DARIEN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS REPLACED WHEN OUR BMW X5 STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH HER PARENTS ALSO IN THE CAR. SHE WAS NEARLY HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, BUT MADE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. SHE SPOKE WITH SAUN, A SERVICE REP, AND TOLD HIM ABOUT THE STALLING INCIDENT. SHE SCHEDULED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT FOR DECEMBER 30, 2008. WE DROVE THE CAR OUT OF TOWN FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DECEMBER 26, 2008. IT WENT OFF AND WE KEPT THE APPOINTMENT WITH BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN DARIEN, CT ON DECEMBER 30. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND SAID WE NEEDED TO UPDATE THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT IN THE ENGINE. WE PAID $657 FOR ALL SUGGESTED REPAIRS AND WERE ASSURED THIS WAS WHY THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WE DROVE THE CAR LESS THAN 6 MILES BEFORE IT STALLED AND STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY ENTRANCE RAMP AS THREE LANES MERGE ON JANUARY 1, 2009 WITH MY WIFE AND ME IN IT. BMW OF DARIEN WAS CLOSED AND THE RECORDING DIRECTED US TO CALL BMW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. AFTER 45 MINUTES OF UNSUCCESSFULLY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO PICK UP THE PHONE, MY WIFE HUNG UP, BECAUSE I HAD ALREADY CONTACTED OUR INSURANCE COMPANY AND A TOW TRUCK. WE SAT ON THE HIGHWAY FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS IN 18 DEGREE WEATHER UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. THE TOW TRUCK TOOK THE X5 TO THE BMW OF DARIEN DEALERSHIP. ON JANUARY 2, 2009, A SERVICE REP, PAT, TOLD THAT THE CRANKCASE VENT VALVE WAS BROKEN DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER AND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD AND WE WERE QUOTED $1,000 TO REPAIR IT AND THE SPARK PLUGS. AS WE RESEARCHED ONLINE, WE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ACROSS BMW MODELS. ADDITIONALLY, BMW HAS REDESIGNED THIS PART AND ADDED INSULATION TO FIX THIS DESIGN FLAW. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY DESIGN AND BMW REFUSES TO INFORM THE CONSUMER. OUR CAR STOPPED TWICE AND PUT MY WIFE, HER PARENTS, AND ME IN HARM OF BODILY INJURY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE ALSO MISFIRED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO COAST THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND IT IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,709.

MY 2002 BMW X5'S ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED ON MY WIFE FEW HOURS AGO TODAY, 09/16/08, WHILE SHE WAS JUST PASSING THROUGH A STOP LIGHT AROUND WHERE SHE WORK AT. THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR IS ABOUT 47000 MILES. I'D TO THANK GOD SHE WAS NOT DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN IT STALLED. NOW THE CAR WITH MY MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, THE CAR'S FRONT FAN THAT COOLS THE ENGINE FAILED TO WORK ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT ON A HIGHWAY WITH THE AC ON. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON SIDE OF THE ROAD AS THE TEMP GAUGE WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE RED ZONE. I HAD TO GET IT REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE. THEN, ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THE CAR'S FAN MOTOR THAT DISTRIBUTES THE AC/HEAT INTO THE CAR STOPPED WORKING. I'D TO HAD IT REPLACED ALSO WITH A NEW ONE. THAT'S ALL & THANKS. *TR

WE WERE BACKING UP THE CAR FROM THE RESTAURANT AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG AND CURTAIN AIR BAG POPPED OPEN BUT NOT DEPLOYED WITH AIR FOR NO REASON. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER THEY SAID SENSOR UNDERNEATH THE CAR INITIATED, AND TO REPAIR COSTS WILL BE $4,000.00. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO FIX THE CAR AND THEY RELEASED THE CAR TO ME. THE BAGS ARE NOT DEPLOYED AND AFRAID OF DEPLOYING WHILE DRIVING. *TR

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON A 2002 BMW X5 3.0 AUTOMATIC WITH 69000 MILES. THE VEHICLE SLIPS IN REVERSE, AT TIMES IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. I'VE CONDUCTED ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE SINCE PURCHASED FROM ORIGINAL OWNER. I TOOK CAR TO A SHOP WHO SERVICES BMW'S AND THEY CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, WHICH WAS OK. LATER AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON PROBLEMS WITH BMW TRANSMISSION I WAS AMAZED ON HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE ARE WITH THE BMW TRANSMISSION. IF I WOULD OF KNOWN OF THE PROBLEM I WOULD OF NOT BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE OR ANY BMW. I WAS TOLD FROM MECHANICS THAT WORK ON THIS VEHICLE IT WILL COST ME AROUND $5000.00 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND SOONER OR LATER IT WILL FAIL BECAUSE THEIR TRANSMISSIONS ARE SEALED AND DO NOT REQUIRE FLUIDS OR MAJOR SERVICING. AFTER DOING ADDITIONAL RESEARCH ONLINE FOR ANY RECALL INFORMATION BMW HAS NOT SUBMITTED ONE WHATSOEVER. I AM PRETTY SURE BMW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND KNOWING A RECALL WILL COST THEM ALOT OF MONEY, THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AT A REASONABLE PRICE BUT WITH ME BEING THE ONLY INCOME IN MY HOUSEHOLD (MILITARY) I SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIR. I DO NOT EXPECT ANY RESOLUTION FROM BMW, HOWEVER, I WANT TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT TO CREATE AWARENESS FOR FUTURE CONSUMERS OF BMW AUTOMOBILES. THIS WILL BE MY FIRST AND ONLY BMW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. *TR

CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR SERVICE. 80,000 MILES. NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM ON START UP. EXPERIENCED SUDDEN TOTAL LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FUNCTION. THE CAR ROLLS WHEN IN PARK. A GRINDING SOUND IS NOTED IN CABIN. *TR

HAD MY FRONT THRUST ROD BUSHINGS REPLACED AT BMW DEALER DUE TO VIBRATION IN STEERING AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES. PROBLEM RETURNED AT 74000 MILES (2.5 YEARS LATER). DEFECTIVE MATERIAL RESULTS IN BUSHING CRACKS WHICH NEGATIVELY AFFECTS STEERING. *TR

I WAS SOLD A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WITH BAD CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, AND MAKING NOISE UNDER HOOD IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, THAT WAS NOT HONORED. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THROUGHOUT THE TIME OF OWNERSHIP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAR VIBRATES WHEN BRAKING, AND SOMETIMES HAS NO POWER. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM TO DATE. *TR

2002 BMW X5 MISFIRES FROM FAULTY ENGINE COILS. SIMILAR RECALL TO THE 3 SERIES BUT DEALERSHIP SAID X5 NOT INCLUDED. *TR

ON 2/11/08 COLD DAY VEHICLE FAILED TO START SHOWING SAME SIGNS AS RECALLS ON 2004 AND 2007 MODELS THAT ARE RECALLS. VEHICLE SENT TO SHOP RETURNED 2 DAYS LATER WHILE TRAVELING ON MAJOR EXPRESSWAY VEHICLE STALLS OUT WITH OUT ANY ADVANCE WARNING AS IN 2004 AND 2007 MODELS SENT BACK TO SHOP VEHICLES OIL AND COOLANT MIXING CAUSING TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. BMW'S RESPONSE NOT A RECALL FOR THIS YEAR BUT AWARE OF PROBLEM. *TR

I REPLACED THE OIL SEPARATOR AT BMW DEALERSHIP 1/10/08 BECAUSE OIL WAS BECOMING POLLUTED WITH WATER EVEN AFTER I EXPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP PREVIOUS TIMES THE OIL LOOKED MILKY WHEN I DID A DIPSTICK CHECK. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE PART FAILED BEFORE IT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND A CONDITION KNOWN AS HYDROLOCK, WHICH COULD CAUSE ENGINE TO SEIZE. LAST WEEK IN VERY COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS,1/13,2015 MY CARS CABIN FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE. I PULLED OVER AND FOUND THE ENGINE SPOILED WITH SMOKING OIL, I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS THE OIL SEPARATOR AGAIN. THE PART IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE CRANKCASE VENT VALVE I HAD IT CHANGED/REPAIRED, IT IS EXPENSIVE AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS VEHICLE DAMAGE AND ACCIDENTS. I THINK FOR THIS TO HAPPEN TWICE POINTS TO A DANGEROUS VULNERABLE PART. THIS TIME MY CAR COULD HAVE EASILY CAUGHT ON FIRE, THANKFULLY I WAS CLOSE TO THE REPAIR SHOP.INCIDENTLY THEY HAD THREE BMW'S ASIDE FROM MINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO THE TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS WERE REPAIRED WITH COLD WEATHER/INSULATED KITS. I COULD NOT EVEN OPEN MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WINDOW TO GET AIR IT WAS INOPERABLE WHEN THE CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE WHICH WAS ALMOST INSTANTANEOUS. *TR

BMW 4.4I X5. HAD SECOND OF TWO VALVE COVER LEAKS DUE TO OIL SEPARATOR BLOCKAGE. BOTH HAPPENED UNDER COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE ORIGINAL OIL SEPARATOR DESIGN WAS PRONE TO BLOCKAGE AND BMW HAD REDESIGNED THE SEPARATOR TO A "HEATED PART" ACCORDING TO MY DEALER. IN BOTH INSTANCES OF MY CAR'S FAILURE, THE VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED UNDER PRESSURE AND OIL LEAKED OUT ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO FIRE. BMW DEALERSHIPS ACKNOWLEDGED THE COMMON FAILURE OF THE OIL SEPARATOR DESIGN. ALTHOUGH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA WOULD NOT RESPOND TO MY INQUIRIES. SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY I PAID FOR ALL REPAIRS. I HAVE UPDATED THE VEHICLE TO THE NEW "HEATED PART" BUT HAVE NOT HAD A FULL WINTER ON THE VEHICLE TO STATE WHETHER OR NOT THE RE-DESIGN WAS SUCCESSFUL. *TR

STARTED CAR TO WARM UP ON COLD WINTER MORNING. WENT OUTSIDE FIVE MINUTES LATER AND THE CAR HAD STALLED. COULD NOT START. HAD TOWED TO MECHANIC AND TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE AT 100,000 MILES. BMW DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *TR

I OWN A 2002 BMW X5 WITH LESS THAN 37,000 MILES. IN THE LAST 6-8 MONTHS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARM. MORE RECENTLY, I HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE HARNESS REWIRED AND THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. MY BRAKE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY GOING OUT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE REPLACED BULBS AND SOCKETS NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER X5 DRIVERS WHO HAVE HAD SOME OF THE SAME PROBLEMS SO I'M BEGINNING TO WONDER IF IT'S A BIGGER PROBLEM THAN JUST MY VEHICLE. *TR

TAIL LAMP FAILURE. WARNING SYSTEM INDICATED LAMP FAILURE. THE FAILURE TURNED OUT TO BE LAMP CIRCUIT ASSEMBLY, AND NOT BULB. REPEATED FAILURES UNTIL I REPAIRED REAR LAMP ASSEMBLY ON MY OWN. BMW WOULD ONLY SUGGEST REPLACING ENTIRE LAMP ASSEMBLY AT SUBSTANTIAL COST. UPDATED 09/15/11 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. WHEN MAKING A TURN AT 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER IT WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE DME, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

RUBBER AROUND THE WINDSHIELD IS CRUMBLING. OBVIOUS DEFECTIVE MATERIAL USED IN THE RUBBER COMPOUND. BMW REFUSES TO ADDRES THE PROBLEM. *TR

TWO SAFETY CONCERNS: (1) LED ON DASHBOARD FADED OUT. KEY DRIVING INFORMATION IS NOW NOT AVAILABLE IN ORDER TO SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR. (2) REAR TAILGATE WILL NOW UNEXPECTEDLY UN-LATCH AND POP OPEN IN WHICH I HAVE TO PULL OVER, GET OUT OF THE CAR AND CLOSE IT. IT IS CAUSED BY POOR SEALING WHICH DOESN'T KEEP OUT RAIN AND SNOW. ONCE I CLOSE THE TAILGATE, IT WILL EVENTUALLY OPEN AGAIN! BMW KNOWS ABOUT THESE SAFETY PROBLEMS ON THE X5 AND WOULD NOT HELP WITH MATERIAL AND LABOR COST OF $ 1565.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW GLASS SUDDENLY OPENED AND DROPPED INTO THE DOOR PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE ALL FOUR WINDOW REGULATORS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AT VARIOUS SPORADIC TIMES AND THE WINDOW REGULATORS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CONTINUAL PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I DRIVE A 2002 BMW X-5. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED AND FRUSTRATED BY THE FAILURE OF A BASIC COMPONENT OF MY AUTO. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THERE HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL SHORTS IN BOTH FRONT TURN SIGNALS AND ONE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS. AT 58,315 MILES THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET BURNED AT CONTACTS AND WAS REPLACED FOR $126.25. AT 85,549 MILES THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET BURNED OUT AND WAS REPLACED FOR $133.89. AT 88,685 MILES THE LEFT BRAKE LIGHT IS SHORTED OUT. THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK BUT THE REPAIR WAS QUOTED TO BE $239.00. THE SECOND FAILURE ACTUALLY HAPPENED AS I WAS DRIVING IN A HEAVY RAIN STORM. THE OTHER TWO FAILURES JUST SHOWED UP ON THE CAR'S DIAGNOSTIC SELF CHECK AT START UP. IT SEEMS THE LIGHT FIXTURES AND WIRING ARE PRONE TO WATER EXPOSURE THAT RESULTS IN THE ELECTRICAL SHORT. PERHAPS IT IS FAULTY DESIGN OR SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS. *JB

02 BMW X5 5 SPD THE SHIFT LEVER WILL GO INTO REVERSE RATHER THAN FIRST BECAUSE THERE IS NO RESISTANCE TO PUSHING THE LEVER INTO REVERSE. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS NORMAL. BMW NA SAYS "DEALERS DON'T LIKE TO FIX CARS FOR INDEPENDENT. *AK

OVER THE YEARS AFTER PURCHASING MY 2002 BMW X5, I HAVE REPORTED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF WEATHERFORD BMW THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY AND THAT THE ENGINE WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN START REVVING UP. AS THIS IS HAPPENING, THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE AND BUCK AT THE SAME TIME. EVEN THOUGH, I AND MY WIFE HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THESE ISSUES, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SCENARIO OR EXPERIENCED THESE PROBLEMS WHILE SERVICING MY VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING THE X5, NOT ONLY ME, BUT ALSO MY WIFE, SHE WOULD INFORM ME THAT THE ENGINE WOULD BUCK AND SURGE WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE OF THESE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE, THAT MY VEHICLE, A 2002 BMW X5 IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. WITH THIS ALL SAID AND DONE, I WAS INVOLVED IN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE IS NOW TOTALED, BUT I WAS ABLE TO WALK AWAY WITH ACHES AND PAIN (PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY). I DO BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS I HAD WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE, IT WAS A DIRECT CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT AND THAT BMW SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE 2005 BMW X5 THAT I JUST PURCHASED TO REPLACE MY PREVIOUS X5. ALSO, IN QUIZZING THE SALES MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY NEW X5, I ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY MAJOR CHANGES TO THE VEHICLE. HIS REPLY WAS THAT DUE TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THE X5 - BMW CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION. THEREFORE, SINCE BMW WAS AWARE OF THESE ISSUES, AGAIN, I BELIEVE THAT BMW SHOULD REIMBURSE ME THE TOTAL PURCHASE PRICE OF MY 2005 X5. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX].*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WITHIN 6 WEEKS OF DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE (2002 BMW X5 3.0 LITER) STALLED WHEN TURNING LEFT. MOST RECENT WAS IN TRAFFIC, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AS I WAS BLOCKING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE ROLLED TO A NEARBY RESTAURANT WHERE ON BOARD INSTRUMENTATION WAS LIT UP WITH ALL WARNING LIGHTS. RESTARTED ENGINE IN A FEW MINUTES OF COOLING. REPORTED TO BMW DEALER ON 5/18/2004 - DEALER REPORTS NO TROUBLE CODES OR ANY ABILITY TO REPLICATE TROUBLE. *AK

WHEN DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER VEHICLE LEAKED OIL INTO THE ENGINE. *AK IN COLD WEATHER THE OIL SEPARATOR CRACKED AND CAUSED OIL TO LEAK. THE CONSUMER HEARD THAT THE NEW PART IS THE SAME AS THE OLD PART EXCEPT THE NEW PART HAS A FOAM INSULATOR. THE MANUFACTURER IS ONLY REPAIRING VEHICLE'S THAT ARE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *NM

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER X5 ON A VERY COLD DAY IN JANUARY. SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG AS IF SHE HAD HIT SOMETHING. SHE STOPPED THE CAR BUT SAW NOTHING SO SHE DROVE ANOTHER 1/4 MILE HOME. AS SOON AS SHE STOPPED THE CAR FUMES STARTED BILLOWING FROM THE ENGINE. ON OPENING THE HOOD WE FOUND A SHATTERED VALVE COVER. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO WAS VERY GOOD ABOUT EXPLAINING WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND FIXING THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, BMW DECIDED NOT TO INSULATE PART OF THE OIL SEPARATOR VALVE FOR SOME OF THE X5 ENGINES. IN COLD WEATHER THE VALVE CAN STICK OPEN OR CLOSED CAUSING EITHER ENGINE FAILURE OR, AS IN MY WIFE'S CASE, A HIGH CRANKCASE PRESSURE WHICH EXPLODES THE VALVE COVER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT 17 MONTHS OLD AND HAD ABOUT 5 THOUSAND MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED, SO THE REPAIR WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE INADEQUATE PART WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY. BMW KNEW THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD OCCUR, THEY HAD ALREADY SENT A BULLETIN TO EVERY DEALER LETTING THEM KNOW ABOUT IT BUT HAVE DECIDED AGAINST ISSUING A RECALL.*AK

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE MAKING RIGHT TURNS DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON, VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, VEHICLE RESTARTED AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. THIS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS. *AK

REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED AND CAUSED THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT TO FLIP OVER.*AK *TS *NLM

STALLING PROBLEM DUE TO LOSS OF BRAKE PERFORMANCE, AND SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHICH DAMAGED OTHER PARTS. (NAR) *PH *CB

WHILE TRAVELING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING . *AK THIS OCCURRED AS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN AND SLEET. *SCC *JB

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.PLEAS EFILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO FLOOR. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

CAR HAS HESITATED WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT OR ABOVE 50 MPH. CAR HAS STALLED COMPLETELY WHILE ACCELERATING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT 40 MPH. *NLM

THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED, WITHOUT CAUSE WHILE DRIVING. *JB

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL.*JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED BY ITSELF. *JB

SEVERAL COMPUTER RELATED MALFUNCTION OCCURRED. THE ABS FAILURE WARNING, DSC WARNING, CHECK ENGINE WARNING, ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE WARNING LIGHT COME ON FREQUENTLY. REMOTE KEY DOES NOT WORK. SEAT MEMORY DOES NOT WORK. I WENT TO SERVICE CENTER TO FIX THESE PROBLEM EVERY MONTH SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. WHEN I WAS ON HIGHWAY DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE DRIVER?S SIDE DOOR OPENED BY ITSELF IN FEB, 2003.

CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO BE INOPERATIVE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.*JB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONTINUOUSLY FAILS,CAUSING THE INTERIOR LIGHTS, SIDE REAR MIRROR, TRUNK LATCH, AND AUTOMATIC LOCKS ETC TO MALFUNCTION. DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIX OR FIND THE CAUSE.*AK

XENON HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO BRIGHT, BLIND ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THESE HEADLIGHTS SHOULD BE BANNED! WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO HEADLIGHT STANDARDS.

I DRIVE 3,000 MILES PER MONTH AND I'M TIRED OF BEING BLINDED BY BMW'S HID LIGHTS. NO MATTER IF THEY ARE COMING TOWARDS ME OR BEHIND THEY ARE TOO BRIGHT! OTHER MANUFACTURERS DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE X5 SUV IS THE ABSOLUTE WORST VEHICLE MADE TO DRIVE IN FRONT OF AT NIGHT. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER TO AVOID BEING BLINDED.THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURED IN THE THREE DIFFERENT VEHCILES THAT I DRIVE, SO HEIGHT OF MY VEHICLE IS NOT A CONTRIBUTING FACOR. I FEEL THAT THESE LIGHTS ARE DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE REDESIGNED

THE VEHICLE HAD A VERY DANGEROUS BLIND SPOT, AS A RESULT A 2 YEAR OLD CHILD WAS KILLED. CONSUMER FELT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOME TYPE OF SENSOR OR CAMERA IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE.*JB

ONBOARD COMPUTER READOUT IS MISSING LIGHTS. MORE AND MORE LIGHTS ARE STARTING TO FAIL. THE SERVICE GUY HAS A SIMPLE SOLUTION, BUY A NEW BOARD.... NICE A RELATIVELY NEW CAR NEEDS AN EXPENSIVE PART THAT JUST FAILED ON IT'S OWN.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. ON APRIL 9, 2009, AFTER PARKING IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE. SHE WENT TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE TO GET HER CHILD OUT, BUT THE DOORS WERE LOCKED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY AND WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SHE CALLED AAA TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY ONE KEYLESS ENTRY LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS HER FIRST TIME EXPERIENCING THIS FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 88,022.