2002 BMW X5 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 8%of 102 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 150,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2002 BMW X5, 8% of the 102 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 150,000 miles. 2 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.
“The dashboard went dark, only gauge that worked was the tachometer which I couldnt see because I had no dashboard lights. Stopped vehicle and took the keys out couldnt turn my lights off had no turn signals,the 3rd brake light was on all night long killing the battery I tried every fuse. Also my headlights wouldnt turn off the lighting controls were useless, and just kept smelling an electronic burning smell. I managed to disconnect all the lights except the 3rd brake light. …”
NHTSA complaint #11319639, filed 2020-03, 150,000 miles“Was driving home and my dash lights started to flash on and off after I shut the car off my and pulled the keys out my left rear tail light stayed on the next morning my battery was dead. So I pulled the battery and charged it now when I connect the battery all my lights flash randomly with no key in it. I have not driven the car for 3 months it is not safe and the nearest Bmw servies is 40 miles away . I have a recall for the air bag , but not taking a chance on driving it to get fixed”
NHTSA complaint #11320264, filed 2020-04, 179,000 miles“Car was parked. I tried to unlock my car with the key fob and nothing happened. I unlocked the door with the key and after getting in the central locking system would not work. After researching the problem I found that the gmiii controls the central locking as well as other items like the windshield wipers, interior lights, sun roof, and rear upper and lower hatch. I orders a new one and when I took the old one out to replace it I found that it had caught on fire and blew fuse 14. It appears a thyristor or tiac got to hot and set the board and case on fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #11405711, filed 2021-03, 230,000 miles“Tail lamp failure. Warning system indicated lamp failure. The failure turned out to be lamp circuit assembly, and not bulb. Repeated failures until I repaired rear lamp assembly on my own. Bmw would only suggest replacing entire lamp assembly at substantial cost. Updated 09/15/11”
NHTSA complaint #10424119, filed 2011-09, 100,000 miles“I drive a 2002 Bmw x-5. I am extremely disappointed and frustrated by the failure of a basic component of my auto. On three separate occasions there have been electrical shorts in both front turn signals and one of the brake lights. At 58,315 miles the right turn signal bulb and socket burned at contacts and was replaced for $126.25. At 85,549 miles the left turn signal bulb and socket burned out and was replaced for $133.89. At 88,685 miles the left brake light is shorted out. The dealer did not have the part in stock but the repair was quoted to be $239.00. …”
NHTSA complaint #10145135, filed 2005-12, 58,000 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 2002 BMW X5
21 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsBody and structure
9 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 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