Model Year Problem Record

BMW X5 2002 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2002 BMW X5: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

102Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

3Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

18Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Engine28

Latches, Locks and Linkages6

Vehicle Speed Control2

Suspension2

Fuel and Propulsion System1

Did a Recall Cover It?

For each system: what owners reported, matched against the recalls on file for this model year. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine28 complaints

28 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags20 complaints

20 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 17V047000.

Electrical System16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes6 complaints

6 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V001000.

Unknown Or Other5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts4 complaints

4 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V032000.

Equipment2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V001000Reported January 9, 2003 - 84,000 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on January 9, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 84,000 vehicles across all affected models.

03V032000Reported February 4, 2003 - 2,635 vehicles potentially affected

Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on February 4, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 2,635 vehicles across all affected models.

17V047000Reported January 20, 2017 - 230,117 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 20, 2017. The campaign covers an estimated 230,117 vehicles across all affected models. NHTSA records carry a do-not-drive advisory for this campaign.

Do Not Drive Advisory

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20027

20039

20049

20053

20072

200810

20098

20109

20116

20127

20132

20144

20155

20162

20173

20183

20195

20203

20213

20231

20251

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.