2002 BMW X5 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 6%of 102 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 132,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the steering of the 2002 BMW X5, 6% of the 102 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 132,000 miles.
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 was driving on a highway going about 65mph, all the sudden I have no control of my steering, it was very hard to steer, I've almost crashed in to the other vehicle with my two infants in the car. Contacted the dealer they says nothing wrong with the power steering problems, they reset the computer and said im good to go...my car is 2002 Bmw X5 3.0i.”
NHTSA complaint #10349296, filed 2010-08, 66,500 miles“I was driving and I tried to turn left and it wouldn't. I tried to turn right and it unlocked it, so I was able to turn left afterwards. It did it again, this time it locked up both left and right. It eventually unlocked and I was able to bring the car home, test drove it and it seems fine again. It comes and goes. I called the Bmw dealer in vista, ca to see if there is a safety recall on it and they said that my VIN do not have a recall on steering. …”
NHTSA complaint #10484917, filed 2012-11, 100,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Bmw X5. The contact stated that when attempting a turn in either direction, the steering wheel seized and required tremendous force to straighten the wheels. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the failure. The failure and current mileage was 180,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10499408, filed 2013-02, 180,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Bmw X5. The contact stated that while exiting a residential driveway, the steering wheel seized. The contact shut off and restarted the vehicle but the failure was still present. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where the dealer performed a diagnostic test that concluded that there was a jam in the steering lock. The dealer replaced the power steering system. The failure mileage was 132,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10423046, filed 2011-09, 132,000 miles“Several components or systems have failed or malfunctioned, including the ABS module, power steering, rear left turn signal connection, speedometer, and there are various error codes (P0313, P0500, P1093, P2098, OBDII FAIL, OBD bulb check FAIL). It is not clear if these components are available for inspection upon request based on the information provided. The safety of the driver and others on the road was put at risk due to the failure of the ABS module, the absence of power steering, and the non-functioning rear left turn signal. …”
NHTSA complaint #11513773, filed 2023-03Related service bulletins
- 10036979Jun 1, 2010Bmw: a new technical process has been created for bmw to identify causes of steering complaints with a wide range of models.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 5% |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 5 | 7% |
| 2021 | 3 | 3% |
| 2020 | 3 | 3% |
| 2019 | 18 | 9% |
| 2018 | 2 | 3% |
| 2017 | 3 | 4% |
| 2016 | 3 | 4% |
| 2015 | 7 | 5% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 20 | 7% |
| 2011 | 18 | 7% |
| 2010 | 8 | 6% |
| 2009 | 6 | 4% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 4 | 6% |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% |
| 2002 | 6 | 6% |
| 2001 | 11 | 7% |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2002 BMW X5
21 complaintsAir bags
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 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