BMW X5 Complaints (2001)

160 consumer complaints on file.

#10238612August 17, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
FRONT DOORS ARE FREEZING UP IN COLD WEATHER. ONCE THE TEMPERATURE RISES THE DOORS WILL OPEN. HAPPENS EARLY IN THE MORNING/ LATE NIGHT WHEN I NEED TO LEAVE FOR WORK. SOMETIMES YOU CAN FORCE THE HANDLE TO OPEN BUT THEN THE DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE AND HAVE TO DRIVE HOLDING THE DOOR SHUT. THERE MUST BE A RECALL ON THIS,THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME DOZENS OF TIMES. WENT TO DEALER MANY TIMES, REPLACED BOWDEN CABLE/ACTUATORS. COST ME $600.00 TO FIX, WILL SEE IF IT WORKS NEXT WINTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231685June 20, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE, AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 01V206000 AND 02V138000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM:FAN). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227477May 12, 2008
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER WINDOW DEVICES WERE INOPERATIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE WINDOWS TO SPORADICALLY BECOME STUCK IN THE UP OR DOWN POSITION. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE REGULATOR AND THE MOTOR. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WILL NOT ASSUME ANY FINANCIAL LIABILITY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS EXCEEDED ITS WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 7/3/08 *CN UPDATED 07/03/08
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222050March 23, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE A 2001 BMW X-5. ON A COLD DAY IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR I LEFT WORK AND DROVE APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES WHEN MY YELLOW CHECK OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I COULD SMELL OIL AND NOTICED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS SMOKING OUT THE EXHAUST PIPE. I WENT TO THE NEAREST SERVICE STATION AND TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE TO CHECK THE OIL. WHEN I PULLED OUT THE DIP STICK, OIL SHOT OUT OF THE HOLE AND SPRAYED ALL OVER THE INTERIOR OF MY HOOD, ON MY FACE AND ALL OVER MY CLOTHING. THE OIL CRANKCASE HAD BECOME PRESSURIZED AND WAS FORCING THE OIL OUT THE ENGINE, THROUGH THE RINGS AND VALVE COVERS. AFTER WIPING OFF MY FACE, HANDS AND CLOTHING THE BEST I COULD, I ADDED THREE QUARTS OF OIL TO RETURN THE LEVEL TO ACCEPTABLE CONDITIONS. REPAIRS NEEDED TO GET NEW GASKETS AND OIL SEPARATOR, PCV VALVE, DIP STICK GUIDE TUBE AND HOSES. THESE REPAIRS COST $1690. LATER I UNDERSTOOD THAT BMW WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAD ISSUED A SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN # SI B 11 08 03 TO ITS SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I ALSO HEARD THAT MORE THAN 100 SIMILAR EVENTS OCCURRED IN MINNEAPOLIS DURING THE FIRST COLD SPELL OF THIS SEASON. BMW SHOULD HAVE INFORMED OWNERS OF BMW OF THE NEED TO REPLACE PCV VALVES IF REQUIRED TO BOTH PREVENT POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO CARS AND DRIVERS WHO LIKE MYSELF RESPONDED TO THE SITUATION AND ENDED UP BEING SPRAYED BY WARM ENGINE OIL. A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD EXISTED WITH OIL BEING FORCED FROM MY CRANKCASE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222088March 23, 2008
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER 7 TIMES SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY CPO 2001 X5 ON 10/03/2001. ALL REGULATORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE EXCEPT FOR THE PASSENGER FRONT ONLY ONCE SO FAR. THE FIRST 6 REPLACEMENTS WERE COVERED BY THE 4/50 WARRANTY OR THE CPO WARRANTY AT A $50.00 DEDUCTIBLE. THE 7TH REPLACEMENT COST ME $471. BMW HAS ENGINEERED A DEFECTIVE PART AND DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE THAT IT CONTINUES TO MALFUNCTION. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW USA AND THEY WILL PROVIDE NO COMPENSATION AND SAY THAT I MUST REPLACE ALL FUTURE FAILURES AT MY COST. THIS DOES NOT SEEM APPROPRIATE FOR A COMPANY THAT "SUPPOSEDLY" PRIDES ITSELF ON QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217871February 12, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS
I OWN A 2001 BMW X5 WITH 65,000 MILES AND A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO REPAIR A FLAT TIRE. WHEN I WENT TO TURN ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS THEY WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGERS. TODAY I STARTED THE CAR AND THE HAZARDS STARTED BLINKING ON THEIR OWN. NOW I CAN'T TURN THEM OFF THEY CONTINUE TO KILL MY BATTERY. I PLAN TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THEM FIXED ASAP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213628January 3, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2001 BMW X5 HAS SERIOS ISSUES WITH ITS DESIGN THAT BMW CORP REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR FIX. 1ST THERE IS A FAULTY DESIGN ON THE PVC CAUSING THE VALVE TO FREEZE AND DRAIN THE OIL INTO THE ENGINE. THIS ALMOST CAUSED A FIRE IN MY CAR. AND COST ME ABOUT $1200 TO FIX. 2ND THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE FRONT DOORS WHEREBY THE EITHER FREEZE SHUT OR REFUSE TO LOCK IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 17F. THIS IS A HAZARD WAITING TO HAPPEN. PLEASE HELP US ( CONSUMERS) SINCE BMW APPARENTLY HAS NO INTEREST IN ADRESSING THESE ISSUES.*CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206574October 22, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TAIL LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR LIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE TWO DAYS LATER. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CLEANED THE CONTACTS, WHICH WORKED FOR A DAY OR SO. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR LIGHT FAILED ON OCTOBER 20, 2007. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,150 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,498. UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200828August 26, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
BMW X5 3.0L 2001 1) CAR LOST POWER ON THE FREEWAY REQUIRING AN EMERGENCY STOP. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BUT NO ONE WAS INJURED. 2) A HOLE IN THE PLASTIC COOLING SYSTEM CAUSED THE COOLANT TO EJECT. THE ENGINE OVERHEATED CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE. THERE WERE NO AUDIBLE OR VISIBLE WARNINGS. APPARENTLY THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A COOLANT SENSOR AND THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE CAN MALFUNCTION IF THE COOLANT HAS ALL LEAKED OUT. 3) ENTIRE ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT 63,000 MILES (OUT OF WARRANTY). CAR HAS HAD ALL BMW RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SERVICE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197549July 26, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BMW X5 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY. THE CAR ONLY HAS 93000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP IN REVERSE AND THE BMW DEALER DETERMINED THAT IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED (ESTIMATED COST $4500). *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183021February 20, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT
2001 BMW X5 RIGHT FRONT AXEL BOOT DISCOVERED LEAKING AFTER 5-1/2 YEARS LIGHT DUTY (57K MILES). LEFT FRONT ONE WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED AND ALSO NEEDED REPLACEMENT. IF NOT DISCOVERED, POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE RESULTED IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181153January 30, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH A PASSENGER TOUCHED THE AUTOMATIC WINDOW CONTROL BUTTON AND THE WINDOW FELL OFF TRACK, FALLING INTO THE DOOR. *AK UPDATED 02/27/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174528November 28, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED, AS WELL AS, POWER BRAKES, POWER STEERING AND THE ENGINE. AFTER COASTING TO A STOP, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AFTER 25 MINUTES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS IN FAILSAFE MODE FOR THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME ABOUT A MILE AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THERE WERE NO SYMPTOMS OF THE PREVIOUS NIGHT. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RECREATED, ALTHOUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS WILLING TO SEND A TECHNICIAN FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174388November 27, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A DARK RURAL ROAD, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL LIGHTS AND POWER. EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED. AFTER 25 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, AND WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED A YEAR AGO FOR INTERMITTENT START PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE FAMILY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174385November 27, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A COUNTRY ROAD AT NIGHT, THERE WAS A LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, AND AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THERE WERE NO FURTHER INCIDENTS OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10169298September 26, 2006
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN, THE MOTOR FAILED TO OPERATE. ALL FOUR WINDOWS WERE AFFECTED DURING THE PAST FOUR MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE REGULATORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/28/2006 - THE CONSUMER HAS CHANGED ALL 4 REGULATORS IN THE VEHICLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163755July 27, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE PARKED, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER MOVED INTO THE REVERSE POSITION, BUT THE CAR FAILED TO MOVE WITH THE LEVER IN THAT POSITION. WE CHANGED THE POSITION OF THE SHIFT LEVER SEVERAL TIMES ALWAYS GOING BACK TO REVERSE, BUT THE CAR WOULD NEVER MOVE WHEN IN REVERSE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160316June 21, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AT 40K MILES 4.4 X 5 HAD ELECTRICAL FAILURE, ALL DASH LIGHTS AND DIGITAL GAUGES WENT OUT WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON. DROVE WITH ONLY SPEEDOMETER AND NON DIGITAL GAUGES WORKING. CHECKED FUSES AND CHANGED A FEW BUT COULD NOT GET THEM TO WORK. CHARGED FOR SERVICE TO REPAIR 200. DIGITAL GAUGES ARE STILL NOT ALL LIT. ONLY PARTIAL DIGITS FOR TIME AND ODOMETER READING. THESE GAUGES SHOULD WORK UNTIL AT LEAST 100,000 MILES ON ANY CAR. I AM CONSIDERING A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AS I FEEL ROBBED AND CHEATED TO BY BMW ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149111January 31, 2006
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED IN FREEZING CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH FREEZES SHUT. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE LATCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT IS UNAWARE IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE OTHER DOORS, SINCE THEY ARE NOT USED. UPDATED 03/09/06
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147840January 16, 2006
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR MECHANISM FREEZES (FREQUENTLY) IN COLD WEATHER SUCH THAT THE DOOR WILL OPEN BUT WILL NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSED. THE RESULT IS THAT A DRIVER MUST DRIVE HOLDING THE DOOR CLOSED OR NOT DRIVE THE CAR AT ALL, WHICH IS DIFFICULT IF YOU NEED TO GET HOME. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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