The Lemon Index2002 BMW X5.
The 2002 BMW X5 is better than average by owner complaints: 28 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 64, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about visibility, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 13 to 16 mpg combined. The best BMW X5 year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 102 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every BMW X5 year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 60K to 130K miles on the car (79 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 45K–101K miles
Recalls 3
- airbags 2017
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.
- seat belts 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CONNECTION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE TO THE STEEL ROPE OF THE TENSIONER DOES NOT MEET BMW SPECIFICATIONS.
- brakes 2003
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems BMW told dealers about
BMW sent dealers 70 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Small number of vehicles experience problems ranging from leaking oil filler caps, leaking or…
- Driveability complaints due to cooling fan relay failure
- Electronic malfunction cc message caused by shorted wiring
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $5000–6150 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
While traveling in inclement weather the windshield wipers stopped working .
2002 BMW X5 owner · NHTSA complaint 10027020
More owner reports
The vehicle had a very dangerous blind spot, as a result a 2 year old child was killed. Consumer felt there should have been some type of sensor or camera in the rear of the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10010084
Power side mirrors automatically go down and face ground while vehicle is in motion. Dealer does not have a solution for this problem.
NHTSA complaint 8014864
Quick answers
Is the 2002 BMW X5 reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 64; 100 is average, lower is better). The best BMW X5 year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2002 BMW X5 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (25%), engine (18%) and lights (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 BMW X5 have?
3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 BMW X5 get?
13 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 BMW X5 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 60,000 and 130,000 miles. The middle report was at 87,900 miles, from 79 complaints.
Does the 2002 BMW X5 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 BMW X5 cost in fuel a year?
About $5000 to $6150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 BMW X5 have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
What BMW X5 year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2016 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works