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Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)Part report

2002 BMW X5 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems

Complaints
14about this part
Share
14%of 102 total for the year
Median mileage
55,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the visibility of the 2002 BMW X5, 14% of the 102 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 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

“In september of 2014 my 2002 Bmw X5 front passenger side power window failed in the down position. Upon taking it into my original dealer, it was manually raised-closed and I had to return days later for installation of a new regulator at a cost of about $500. I was told this problem was unusual . …”

NHTSA complaint #10726659, filed 2015-06, 71,635 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

“Several computer related malfunction occurred. The ABS failure warning, dsc warning, check engine warning, engine fail safe mode warning light come on frequently. Remote key does not work. Seat memory does not work. I went to service center to fix these problem every month since I bought this car. When I was on highway driving at 60 MPH, the driver?s side door opened by itself in feb, 2003.”

NHTSA complaint #10070344, filed 2004-01, 10,000 miles

“I've had to replace all 4 window regulators, my rear hatch seems to open for no reason, my rear window wiper is working with the switch in the off position, LED's are going out again and now the dreaded apparent oil separator with tons of grey smoke billowing out the back of the car after being left in an airport parking lot for 4 days whilst it snowed outside. Seems I've had every typical problem other than the car catching fire for no apparent reason. I have owned bmws in germany and the us for a long time, however, I think I'll be switching brands with my next vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #10668801, filed 2014-12, 86,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202546%
202453%
202326%
202211%
202133%
202022%
201942%
201834%
201711%
201657%
201521%
201433%
201321%
201231%
201131%
201032%
200921%
200852%
200621%
200458%
200311%
20021414%
2001149%
2000724%

Other parts of the 2002 BMW X5

Engine cooling
21 complaints
Air bags
19 complaints
Electrical system
16 complaints
Body and structure
9 complaints
Exterior lighting
8 complaints
Engine
7 complaints
Brakes
6 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
6 complaints
Steering
6 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
6 complaints
Other or unknown
5 complaints
Seat 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