2002 BMW X5 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 21%of 102 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,182miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 BMW X5, 21% of the 102 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,182 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was sold a certified pre-owned vehicle with bad control arm bushings, and making noise under hood in engine compartment. I also purchased an extended warranty, that was not honored. The service engine light came on throughout the time of ownership. I took the vehicle back to dealer for repairs several times. The car vibrates when braking, and sometimes has no power. Nothing was done to correct the problem to date.”
NHTSA complaint #10269011, filed 2009-05, 87,905 miles“The failure: the car will not at times reverse. When in reverse mode the car remains as if in neutral. I've taken the car to the shop a few times, after awhile the issue magically repairs itself. I've been told the transmission will need to be replaced or will need to be repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #10262348, filed 2009-03, 110,000 miles“In january of 2010 during a cold weather spell, I started my car and started driving slowly. After about 5 minutes I noticed smoke coming from engine compartment and from exhaust pipes. I stopped the vehicle and had it towed to a certified mechanic. He diagnosed the issue as a failure of the separation valve that caused the increase pressure under the valve cover. Fortunately, I was able to avoid extensive damage and my bill was only around $350 (plus towing). I did my research and found that Bmw had known about that problem all along and did nothing. …”
NHTSA complaint #10443874, filed 2012-01, 98,000 miles“On december 24, 2008, my wife was on her way to the Bmw of darien dealership to have the windshield wipers replaced when our Bmw X5 stalled in the middle of an intersection with her parents also in the car. She was nearly hit by another vehicle, but made it to the dealership. She spoke with saun, a service rep, and told him about the stalling incident. She scheduled a service appointment for december 30, 2008. We drove the car out of town for the holidays and the service engine light illuminated on december 26, 2008. …”
NHTSA complaint #10253792, filed 2009-01, 83,615 miles“My son was driving my 2002 Bmw X5 SUV for approximately 30 minutes (mostly highway) when the fail safe light came on. He began to pull into the breakdown lane when the car stalled and system failure light came on. When he got out of the car, there were flames shooting out from beneath the engine on the passenger side. He and his fiance quickly ran down the road and the car was fully engulfed in flames with black smoke filling the sky within moments. The car is totaled with all windows melted as well as the entire engine compartment. Both front tires exploded. …”
NHTSA complaint #10341879, filed 2010-07, 80,750 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10247567Dec 20, 2023Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the…
- 10225107Sep 1, 2022Coolant is leaking from under the car which is equipped with the S63 engine. A low coolant warning might also be displayed (CC Message ID166).
- 10053585Sep 1, 2013Bmw: oil leaks from the air hose on turbocharger. This is designated for e70, and e90 models with m57y diesel engines. Service engine soon lamp may be illuminated.
- 10040852Jul 1, 2011Bmw: the service engine soon light is on. There are trouble codes stored for the crankshaft sensor. No driveability issues.
- 10037010Jul 1, 2010Bmw: six different models equipped with the m54 engine could have valve covers break in cold weather and ruin the engine. This is due to moisture accumulation.
- 10036985Jun 1, 2010Bmw: a service engine soon light comes on. The engine will only operate to 1500 rpms and lacks power. There is a software application error.
- 10036982Jun 1, 2010Bmw: there is a rough engine idle and "service engine soon light" when driving downhill in high altitudes during cold weather. There may be six different fault codes.
- 10036981Jun 1, 2010Bmw: warning message on about low diesel exhaust fuel level and that the engine will not restart within 999 miles. The light comes on a few thousand miles earlier than a…
- 10032642Oct 1, 2009Bmw vehicles: diagnosis for low pressure fuel supply faults. The service engine soon lamp is illuminated (a fuel pump malfuction message is displayed in the cc), and a…
- 10029025Mar 1, 2009Bmw: small number of vehicles experience problems ranging from leaking oil filler caps, leaking or broken valve covers, to complete engine failure in extremely cold climate…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 3 | 4% |
| 2021 | 7 | 6% |
| 2020 | 15 | 13% |
| 2019 | 12 | 6% |
| 2018 | 9 | 12% |
| 2017 | 4 | 5% |
| 2016 | 7 | 9% |
| 2015 | 9 | 6% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 6 | 4% |
| 2012 | 12 | 4% |
| 2011 | 10 | 4% |
| 2010 | 13 | 10% |
| 2009 | 6 | 4% |
| 2008 | 16 | 7% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 2 | 3% |
| 2003 | 24 | 24% |
| 2002 | 21 | 21% |
| 2001 | 31 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2002 BMW X5
19 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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