2001 BMW X5 Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 6%of 160 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 83,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the body and structure of the 2001 BMW X5, 6% of the 160 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,000 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.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10238612, filed 2008-08, 83,000 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 miles“Purchased new X5 in sept. 2001 - and that's when my problems began! Luckily the car was under warranty in the beginning, otherwise I would have paid just as much in repairs as I did for that so called luxury vehicle of mine. (1) I immediately began having problems with condensation inside the front headlamps which took days to clear up. Dealer didn't know why this happened. Several years later and I'm still experiencing this same problem. (2) all of the rubber trim and molding on the outside of the vehicle (especially around the windows) has faded and become discolored. …”
NHTSA complaint #10138040, filed 2005-09“The new Bmw X5 has dangerously designed front doors. The jamb of the door sweeps back to a very sharp metal point. When you open or close the door, the top can strike you in the head causing injury. This is because when you grab the handle, you don't realize that the top sweeps further back nearer your head. I had poked my eyelid on august 14th and called Bmw. I now have severely injured my ear, getting 11 stiches. I called Bmw on 10/13/00 to file another report. If one is six feet tall, this car will injure them.”
NHTSA complaint #734326, filed 2000-10“The brand new X5 has dangerously designed front doors. The jamb of the door sweeps back to a very sharp metal point. When you open or close the door, the top can strike you in the head causing injury. This is because when you grab the handle you don't realize that the top sweeps further back near your head. I had poked my eyelid on august 14th and called Bmw. I now have severely injured my ear. Getting 11 stiches. I called Bmw on 10/13/00 to file another report. If one is six feet tall, this car will injure them. **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*734326”
NHTSA complaint #10007036, filed 2000-10Related service bulletins
- 10244239Oct 18, 2023This situation can result in two customer complaints: 1. Wind noise 2. Excess water entry
- 10037027Aug 1, 2010Bmw: model e70 equipped with an automatic tailgate. The rear tailgate may not operate in either direction due to wiring damage.
- 10029008Nov 1, 2008Bmw: water leak in the front right footwell area causing the carpet to become wet.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 11% |
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 4 | 12% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 4 | 4% |
| 2020 | 4 | 4% |
| 2019 | 6 | 3% |
| 2018 | 2 | 3% |
| 2017 | 5 | 7% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 6 | 4% |
| 2014 | 15 | 15% |
| 2013 | 5 | 3% |
| 2012 | 7 | 3% |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 4 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 7 | 11% |
| 2003 | 4 | 4% |
| 2002 | 9 | 9% |
| 2001 | 10 | 6% |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% |
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 complaintsExterior lighting
9 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 27, 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