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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2002 BMW X5Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 115 owner complaints for the 2002 BMW X5. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (24) and air bags (19). The EPA rates it 13–16 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
13–16mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jan 2017
Owner complaints
115
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$5,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 20, 2017NHTSA 17V047000

Seat belts: buckle assembly

Free remedy

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.

Seat beltsReported Feb 4, 2003NHTSA 03V032000

Service brakes

Free remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Jan 9, 2003NHTSA 03V001000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

115 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2002 – Jan 2025
  1. Engine and engine cooling24
  2. Air bags19
  3. Electrical system16
  4. Visibility13
  5. Structure10
  6. Exterior lighting10
  7. Power train9
  8. Engine8
  9. Steering6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each X5 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200029
2001160
2002115
2003115
2004127
2005103
2006280
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
8
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

24 reports2 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE OIL SEPARATOR WAS FROZEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 17, 2012Engine and engine coolingFire reportedODI 10448323

Air bags

19 reports1 crash2 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 18, 2025Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11636800

Electrical system

16 reports3 fires
“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 WINDSHIELD WIPERS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, SUN ROOF, AND REAR UPPER AND LOWER HATCH. I ORDERS A NEW ONE AND WHEN I TOOK THE OLD ONE OUT TO REPLACE IT I FOUND THAT IT HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BLEW FUSE 14. IT APPEARS A THYRISTOR OR TIAC GOT TO HOT AND SET THE BOARD AND CASE ON FIRE. I HAD SMELT A PLASTIC SMELL EARLIER WHILE DRIVING SO IT MAY HAVE BEEN BURNING BEFORE I PARKED. I AM ATTACHING PHOTOS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 31, 2021Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiperFire reportedODI 11405711
All 2002 X5 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl · 4.4L 8-cyl · 4.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S5) · Manual 5-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
X5
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141916$5,000555
X5
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141916$5,000555
X5
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121614$5,700635
X5 4.6is
Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
111613$6,150684
  • X5
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $5,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • X5
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $5,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • X5
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.4 L
    12 city · 16 hwy · $5,700/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • X5 4.6is
    Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    11 city · 16 hwy · $6,150/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 BMW X5 as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 4452
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 X5 questions

How many recalls does the 2002 BMW X5 have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 BMW X5 problems?

Owners filed 115 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (24), air bags (19), electrical system (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 BMW X5 get?

The EPA rates the 2002 BMW X5 at 13–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026