2001 BMW X5 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 6%of 160 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2001 BMW X5, 6% of the 160 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10217871, filed 2008-02, 65,000 miles“Today I brought my Bmw X5 to dealer because the warning light goes on and off indicating a problem with the rear brake lights. Dealer said that the bulb holder had failed because of excessive heat melting the bulb holder. Last september, I had a new bulb holder assembly replaced for the rear turn signal after the same warning light came on and was then told that the device failed because of excess heat, melting the bulb assembly. These would seem to be related problems and safety issues.”
NHTSA complaint #10482786, filed 2012-10, 72,000 miles“Consumer called complaining about rear brake lights staying on all the time. Brake lights would stay on ,and consumer was almost rear ended three times.manufacturer was contacted, and stated that they could not find the cause of problem, but will still try to find it.”
NHTSA complaint #10029744, filed 2003-08, 45,672 miles“Front turn signal socket failure. First the right side failed, then a few weeks later the left. Dealer says this is a common problem. The units should be replaced via recall on all affected vehicles since this is a legally required safety feature.”
NHTSA complaint #10047496, filed 2003-11, 29,000 miles“1. Had car serviced at 60,000 miles, only 3 weeks later the green dashes started appearing again and staying on, as if I needed to have car serviced. Called dealer and they said not to worry, this has been know to happen, just ignore it. 2. Very loud noise from sun roof (closed) while traveling on freeway and leaks during car washes? Dealer said they can replace the seal and this should fix the problem. 3. Brake light indicator on dash comes on and off, as if bulb is out, but just replaced bulb, then replaced again, sometimes this brake light works and sometimes it doesn't. 4. …”
NHTSA complaint #10135032, filed 2005-09, 63,200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10057566Oct 1, 2014Bmw: some vehicles, with 552 option, are experiencing a malfunction of led headlight on one where it flickers on an doff during driving and the control check message is…
- 10040177Mar 1, 2013Bmw: the brake light fails and the bulb holder is deformed due to high temperatures and the composition of the holder. *rm updated on 4/25/2013.
- 10042704Sep 1, 2011Bmw: on certain vehicles, the xenon headlamp often have no trouble found when returned and tested thru warranty parts system. The root cause is not possible to be identify.
- 10037025Aug 1, 2010Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
- 10041804Mar 1, 2010Bmw: the bulb has failed on the daytime running lamp.
- 10025983Jun 1, 2008Bmw: headlamp moisture: fault diagnostics. Water or condensation in one or both headlamps. Models 5 series, 6 series, 7 series, x5, x6, 1 series, and 3 series. Model years…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 5 | 4% |
| 2019 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 11 | 5% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 4 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 5 | 8% |
| 2003 | 6 | 6% |
| 2002 | 8 | 8% |
| 2001 | 9 | 6% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2001 BMW X5
31 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
18 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 BMW X5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology