BMW X5 Complaints (2002)

102 consumer complaints on file.

#10260657March 4, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253792January 5, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250085November 28, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246985October 28, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245267October 13, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242469September 16, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240515September 1, 2008
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, AIR BAGS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236300July 29, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227441May 12, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225673April 25, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
2002 BMW X5 MISFIRES FROM FAULTY ENGINE COILS. SIMILAR RECALL TO THE 3 SERIES BUT DEALERSHIP SAID X5 NOT INCLUDED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218511February 19, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10218296February 8, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
2002 BMW X5 WITH OIL SEPARATOR SAFETY ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE OIL SEPARATOR FAILED. CONSUMER WAS SHOWN THAT WATER WAS MIXING WITH THE OIL CREATING A FOAMY SLUDGE. LUCKILY THE PROBLEM DID NOT AFFECT THE ENGINE. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE DOOR LOCKS DID NOT WORK ON ONE OF THE DOORS AND THE WINDOW FELL INSIDE THE DOOR. THE WINDOW MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER INSERTS WERE REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10210775December 4, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204185September 26, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145135December 13, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114541March 23, 2005
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114059March 14, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10091343September 20, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10086968August 16, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072902May 19, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to BMW X5