2000 BMW X5

Do not drive

Owners filed 29 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 6 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission5
000
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls3
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer2
000
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear2
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch2
000
Exterior Lighting › Headlights2
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal1
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000
Structure › Body1
010

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module25V748000Do not drive
Filed Oct 31, 20255,361 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 X5 vehicles that may be equipped with a sport steering wheel containing a Takata PSDI-4 air bag inflator. The inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's front air bag, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 23, 2025. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 19V015.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings03V001000
Filed Jan 9, 200384,000 vehiclesBayerische Motoren Werke

Defect. 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.

Risk. THIS COULD INITIALLY CAUSE SOME BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, AND EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. THERE COULD BE A NOTICEABLE REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCE IF A LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE OCCURS.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL RETAINING CLIP TO FURTHER SECURE THE BRAKE LINE TO THE FRONT STRUT. ADDITIONALLY, IF INSPECTION OF ANY BRAKE HOSE INDICATES THAT IT HAS EXPERIENCED DAMAGE, THE HOSE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages02V194000
Filed Jul 24, 200234,860 vehiclesBayerische Motoren Werke

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM PIVOT SHAFT COULD LOOSEN FROM ITS SUPPORT BRACKET.

Risk. EVENTUALLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM COULD DETACH FROM THE BRACKET, RENDERING THE SERVICE BRAKING SYSTEM INEFFECTIVE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL CHECK THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM PIVOT SHAFT FOR PROPER SEATING IN ITS SUPPORT BRACKET. IN ADDITION, A PIN WILL BE INSTALLED TO SECURE THE SHAFT TO THE BRACKET. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-332-4269.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch01V196000
Filed Jun 14, 200114,300 vehiclesBayerische Motoren Werke

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4.4I SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, ABRASION PARTICLES COULD DEPOSIT ON THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WITHIN THE SWITCH, CAUSING A DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRIC CURRENT THROUGH THE CONTACTS. IF THE DISRUPTION OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE NEUTRAL OR PARK POSITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL SWITCH AUTOMATICALLY INTO THE EMERGENCY PROGRAM, WHICH IS DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER VIA A WARNING LAMP AND A MESSAGE, "TRANS. FAIL-SAFE PROG." IN THIS CASE, THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN IN LOWER GEARS ONLY WITH LIMITED ENGINE OUTPUT.

Risk. IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN SPEED IN TRAFFIC AND/OR ACCELERATE COULD BE GREATLY DIMINISHED, POSSIBLY LEADING TO A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION GEAR POSITION INDICATOR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings01V195000
Filed Jun 14, 200113,721 vehiclesBayerische Motoren Werke

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4.4I SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THERE IS A PLASTIC CARRIER TO WHICH THE OIL FILTER HOUSING IS ATTACHED. OIL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES ARE ATTACHED TO THE FILTER HOUSING. OVER TIME, THIS CARRIER COULD SAG SLIGHTLY. IF THIS HAPPENS, ONE OF THE OIL LINES, WHICH ARE ARMORED WITH STEEL MESH, COULD COME INTO CONTACT AND CHAFE A STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED IMMEDIATELY UNDERNEATH.

Risk. CONTINUED CHAFFING CAN CAUSE THE ANTICORROSION COATING OF THIS BRAKE LINE TO FAIL, ALLOWING THE BRAKE LINE TO RUST THROUGH AND LEADING TO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, FAILURE OF THE REAR BRAKE CIRCUIT, AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES, AND A POSSIBLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RUBBER SPACER BELOW THE PLASTIC CARRIER TO PREVENT SAGGING AND SUBSEQUENT CONTACT BETWEEN THE OIL AND BRAKE LINES. BRAKE LINES WHOSE ANTICORROSION LAYER IS FOUND TO BE DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF CONTACT WITH THE OIL LINE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar00V010000
Filed Jan 18, 2000190 vehiclesBayerische Motoren Werke

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT COUPLING INCLUDES A PLASTIC COLLAR WHICH FITS OVER THE LOWER STEERING RACK INPUT SHAFT. THIS COLLAR IS PUSHED DOWN ONTO THE STEERING RACK AND TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY. ON SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE COLLAR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PUSHED DOWN FULLY ONTO THE RACK AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT.

Risk. OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY IN ROUGH ROAD CONDITIONS, CAN CAUSE THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE COLLAR AND THE STEERING RACK TO INCREASE TO THE POINT WHERE THE INPUT SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE RACK, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING RACK INPUT SHAFT COLLAR FOR PROPER POSITIONING, AND REPOSITION IS NECESSARY.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed May 26, 2016150,000 milesID

INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 3/14/2016 AT THE INTERSECTION OF E LAKE FOREST DR/ MIMOSA WY DURING DRIVING. COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE DURING DRIVING WHILE TURNING CORNER FROM TIRE WEARING AGAINST PASSENGER FRONT BRAKE LINE. ALMOST CAUSED SERIOUS AUTO ACCIDENT. INQUIRED WITH DEALER WHEN PURCHASING REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT THERE WAS A KNOWN RECALL FOR THIS INCIDENT AND DEALER DID NOT KNOW PROCESS FOR NTSA RECALLS. OWNER PAID FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS AS DEALER/MANUFACTURER WAS UNWILLING TO FIX. CAN PROVIDE RECEIPTS. REPORT RECEIPT DATE: JAN 09, 2003 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V001000 COMPONENT(S): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC ALL PRODUCTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RECALL EXPAND DETAILS CLOSE 10 ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS EXPAND MANUFACTURER: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE SUMMARY: 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. CONSEQUENCE: THIS COULD INITIALLY CAUSE SOME BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, AND EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. THERE COULD BE A NOTICEABLE REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCE IF A LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE OCCURS. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL RETAINING CLIP TO FURTHER SECURE THE BRAKE LINE TO THE FRONT STRUT. ADDITIONALLY, IF INSPECTION OF ANY BRAKE HOSE INDICATES THAT IT HAS EXPERIENCED DAMAGE, THE HOSE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEB

Structure › BodyFire
Filed Apr 3, 2015122,000 milesIL

PULLED VEHICLE INTO GARAGE AND FRONT, RIGHT SIDE STARTED SMOKING. MY DAUGHTER AND I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND RAN INTO THE HOUSE TO ALERT MY HUSBAND. WITHIN SECONDS, SMOKE FILLED THE GARAGE AND FIRE WAS VISIBLE UNDER FRONT, RIGHT TIRE AND THROUGH HOOD. I CALLED THE 911 AND MY HUSBAND TRIED TO DOUSE THE FLAMES. THIS NOT WORKING, SO MY HUSBAND MADE THE DECISION TO BACK THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE, HOWEVER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. HE QUICKLY MADE THE DECISION TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED IT FROM THE DRIVER'S DOOR FRAME TO THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVEWAY. SECONDS LATER, THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR WAS IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND DOUSED THE FLAMES. THEY ALSO HAD TO CUT OPEN THE HOOD TO ENSURE ALL FLAMES WERE OUT PRIOR TO LEAVING. *TR

Steering
Filed May 21, 201395,364 milesGA

I WAS TURNING INTO A RESTAURANT ( I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED) AND AS I GOT THE CHANCE TO TAKE THE TURN, IT BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL, LUCKILY MY SON WAS SITTING NEXT TO ME AND HE HAD TO MANUALLY HELP ME TO TURN THE CAR. I HIT THE CURB BUT LUCKILY MANAGED TO PULL OUT OF THE STREET AND OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. IT WAS A HIGHWAY SO PEOPLE WERE GOING ABOUT 55-60 MPH (I GOT HONKED AT). WE PULLED IN STOPPED AT THE ENTRANCE. WE TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, MY SON WENT OUT TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE AND IF ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TIRES. WE BARELY MADE IT TO A PARKING SPOT AS MY SON COULD BARELY TURN IT. PLEASE FIX THIS ISSUE, PRAISE THE LORD NOBODY WAS HURT. *TR

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Apr 13, 2012TX

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME. THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, PASSENGER'S FRONT WINDOW FAILED TO OPERATE. THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPONENT. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Mar 26, 201250,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW X5. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT. AFTER SOME TIME, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAT BELT REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Feb 24, 201176,000 milesWA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW X5. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE USING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE THROUGH ANOTHER DOOR AND NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR ALSO WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Feb 19, 201060,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS HAVE FALLEN INSIDE THE DOOR DUE TO A FAULTY REGULATOR. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REPAIRED AND FIVE DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BROKE. THE CONTACT HAS CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND REQUESTED THAT THEY ASSUME THE COST SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT A DEFECT INVESTIGATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR HIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 11, 201075,000 milesMI

NO REVERSE AND ALSO NO COMMUNICATION TO THE ABS MODULE SO NO ABS. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 11, 200933,000 milesVA

ON JUNE 3, 2009 I TOOK MY X5 BMW TO CHECKERED FLAG BMW 5225 VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA 23454 TO HAVE AN INCONSISTENT HESITATION CHECKED. THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION LIGHT ON. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER FOR 3 DAYS, THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ON JUNE 6, 2009 , TOLD MY HUSBAND AND I THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY BURNED UP. I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE X5 HAS A SEAL TRANSMISSION. ACCORDING TO MY SERVICE MANUAL A WARNING LIGHT SHOULD HAD CAME ON PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN TRANSMISSION SAFE MODE INFORMING ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THIS WOULD PREVENT ANY DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. BASICALLY HE TOLD US THE VEHICLE WAS MADE WITH A DEFECTED TRANSMISSION MODULECONTROL PART. WE TOLD HIM TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT IT WASN'T MY FAULT IT WAS DEFECTED. HE REFUSED TO REPAIR IT . *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 19, 2008NC

TRANSMISSION FAILURE 2000 BMW X5 4.4 AUTOMOBILE 70,000 MILES. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 26, 200782,000 milesGA

TL*- WHILE DRIVING THE 2000 BMW X5 AT 40 MPH THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED, CAUSING THE RPMS TO RISE RATHER THAN DROPPING BACK INTO GEAR. THE DISENGAGING AND DROPPING BACK INTO GEAR HAPPENED ABOUT 4-8 TIMES WITHIN 10-15 MINUTES. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO A EUROPEAN VEHICLE REPAIR FACILITY, AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY BURNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO CHECK OR CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OTHER THEN REMOVING THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE ,AND THAT THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR AROUND 80,000 MILES. HIS VEHICLE'S FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 MILES.*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Nov 21, 200550,000 milesWA

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMPLETELY AND RANDOMLY FAILED TO WORK. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER QUIT FOUR TIMES IN TWO YEARS. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE BMW DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MOTOR. IT QUIT AGAIN ABOUT SIX MONTHS LATER. SINCE THEN THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM; MOSTLY BECAUSE OCCURRED RANDOMLY.*AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 9, 2005CA

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jan 31, 2005TX

MY WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE FAILED TWICE ON MY 2000 BMW X5 4.4I. RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB, IT IS A COMMON OCCURENCE. MY COLLEAGUE WITH A 2000 BMW 3 SERIES HAS HAD HIS FAILED 6 TIMES. BOTH TIMES THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, BUT I HAD TO PAY.*AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Apr 21, 200470,000 milesIL

1.WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AT HIGHWAY SPEED DURING HEAVY RAIN AND TRAFFIC PUTTING ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION (PROBLEM WAS NOT CAUSED BY A FUSE). 2. WINDSHIELD SEEMS TO CONTINOUSLY DEGRADE (MINI-CRATERS LIKE IT WOULD DESINTEGRATE ITSELF) ... NOT CAUSED BY STONE OR OTHER ROAD RELATED OBJECTS. DEALER CLAIMS THAT STONES ARE CAUSING IT, WHICH IS NOT TRUE, THEY ARE TOO MANY OF THEM AND TOO SMALL.*AK

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Filed Sep 2, 200359,000 milesTN

THE WAY THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT WAS DESIGNED CAUSED PREMATURE WEAR . *PH THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE WHEN IN GEAR AND A WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE TRANSMISSION AREA. *SCC. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW WITH THE DRIVESHAFT. THE DRIVESHAFT HAD A COUPLING ON ONE END AND A SPLINE ON THE OTHER END, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY SEVERAL ENGINEERS THAT IT REQUIRED TWO FLEXIBLE COUPLINGS TWO UNIVERSAL JOINTS OR A COMBINATION OF THE TWO TO HANDLE THE MISALIGNMENT THAT THE SAHFT WOULD ENCOUNTER. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Abs Warning Light
Filed Apr 21, 200361,758 milesCA

THE BRAKE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE. *JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Dec 28, 2001VT

NONE OF THE REAR DOORS WILL LOCK OR SHUT PROPERLY. WHILE DRIVING DOORS HAVE COME OPENED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Sep 27, 2001SC

THE HEADLIGHTS FOUND ON THESE EXPESNIVE VEHICLES ARE TOO BRIGHT AND PRODUCE EXCESSIVE GLARE ESPECIALLY WHEN COMBINED WITH THE HEADAUX (FOG/DRIVING) LIGHTS THAT THESE DRIVERS INSIST ON RUNNING AT THE SAME TIME. IF YOU DECIDE TO CONTINUE TO ALLOW THESE LIGHTS AT LEAST LIMIT THE BULBS TO LOW BEAM LIGHTS WITHOUT ANY AUX LIGHTS ALLOWED ON THE VEHICLE.*AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 15, 2001CA

BOTH FRONT TIRES SUSTAINED EXCESSIVE OUTER EDGE TREAD WEAR. ALL OUTER TREAD OF EACH IS NEARLY GONE AT 17.5K MILES! WORN ONLY AT FAR OUTER EDGE (APPROX 1/2" TO 1") OF TREAD. REST OF TREAD ON BOTH TIRES IS VERY GOOD TO EXCELLENT FOR 17.5K MILES. INFLATION KEPT AT BMW'S RECOMMENDATION OF 32 COLD PSI. NON-AGGRESSIVE DRIVING. NO INDICATIONS OF OTHER SEVERE WEAR, USE, IMPACT, OR ABUSE TO THESE TIRES OR TO THE REARS. ALL ARE ORIGINAL TIRES. REAR TIRES ARE SAME BUT LARGER SIZE: 285/45R19. REAR TIRES IN EXCELLENT CONDITION FOR 17.5K MILES. FRONT TIRES SHOW CLASSIC SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE POSITIVE CAMBER. COULD BE FROM BAD ORIGINAL FACTORY ALIGNMENT, OR BAD FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS LIKE SAGGING SPRINGS, WORN BALL JOINTS, OR WORN CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. CAR ONLY SERVICED AT RUSNAK. NEVER IN ACCIDENT NOR ANY FRONT END DMGS. SVC. HISTORY SHOWS CAR NEVER ALIGNED. DEALER'S SERVICE ADVISOR VERBALLY ASSERTS "THIS WEAR IS NORMAL FOR BMWS" YET IS UNABLE TO SUBSTANTIATE WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLES ON HIS LOT. I'VE OWNED 2 OTHER BMWS FOR OVER 11 YRS. AND NEITHER HAS EVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. HE REFUSES TO INSPECT ALIGNMENT AND/OR SUSPENSION AND REFUSES TO ACCEPT ANY INDEPENDENT TESTS/REPORTS FROM ANY ALIGNMENT SPECIALTY SHOP. I SEEK DEALER PROPERLY DIAGNOSING AND CORRECTING DEFECT IN SUSPENSION/ALIGNMENT/TIRES. I'M WILLING TO PAY FOR USED 17.5K MILEAGE ALREADY ON TIRES. CONVERSATION THREADS VIA INTERNET ON BIMMER.ORG X5 BOARD AT ROADFLY.COM SHOW OTHERS HAVING X5 SUSPENSION/TIRE PBLMS. REAR CARGO INTERIOR LI

20 of 29 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2012
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202622200Routine
202561510Routine
2024145810Routine
202331400Routine
202267110Routine
20211051230Routine
20201111170Routine
20191861310Routine
201871510Routine
201773601Fatalities reported
201673500Routine
2015152671Fatalities reported
2014988100Routine
2013148670Do not drive
201227110100Do not drive
201126314150Do not drive
20101241450Do not drive
20091381280Do not drive
200821510120Do not drive
200771820Do not drive
20061682110Routine
200582351Fatalities reported
2004644100Routine
2003993130Do not drive
2002102371Do not drive
200116012160Do not drive
2000 — this page29610Do not drive
19990100Routine

Compare every X5 year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 31, 2025. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.