2001 BMW X5 Complaint Log

ON COLD DAY, '01 BMW X5 3.0, STARTED, BRIEFLY WARMED AND DRIVEN 8 MILES B/F ENGINE QUITS AND WILL NOT RESTART. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NOR OVERHEATING INVOLVED. MECHANIC INDICATES ENGINE COMPLETELY SEIZED DUE TO OIL SEPARATOR FREEZING FROM RESIDUAL CONDENSATION IN AIR AS WELL AS CRANKCASE RESULTING IN OIL FORCED INTO CYLINDERS, CHOKING MOTOR, AND CRACKING CONNECTING RODS. ENGINE HAS NOW FAILED REQUIRING A NEW OR USED MOTOR - ESTIMATED AT $7,500 REPLACEMENT (NOT TO MENTION SIGNIFICANTLY LOWERING RESALE VALUE SINCE NEW MOTOR WILL NOT MATCH VIN). VEHICLE HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED BEYOND MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDED INTERVALS (EG: OIL CHANGE EVERY 3K MILES WITH BMW SPEC'D OIL AND FILTERS). THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW, PARTICULARLY THE X5 - OIL SEPARATOR IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS WAS REDESIGNED TO ADDRESS ISSUE. NO WARNING FROM DEALERSHIP WHO MAINTAINED CAR UNTIL 2 YEARS AGO. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM THAT HAS NOW CAUSED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND COULD VERY WELL CAUSE CATASTROPHIC INJURY OR DEATH OF VEHICLE OCCUPANTS IF ENGINE FAILS ON HIGHWAY, RATHER THAN ON A NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD DRIVING @ 5 MPH.. BMW SHOULD HAVE MADE A RECALL ON THIS PART BEFORE THIS ISSUE STARTED OCCURRING WITH REGULAR FREQUENCY TO ANYONE LIVING IN A COLD CLIMATE. OLD PARTS AND MOTOR ARE STILL AVAILABLE - AT LEAST FOR THE CURRENT TIME. WILL NEED TO BE DISPOSED AS A CORE CHARGE IN NEAR FUTURE ONCE NEW ENGINE CAN BE LOCATED. *TR

BMW - VENT VALVE THE VEHICLE IS OBVIOUSLY ENGINEERED WRONG AND THE COMPANY SHOULD BE LIABLE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $1,000 TO REPLACE AND CLEANUP A FROZEN VENT VALVE DUE TO CONDENSATION FROM MOISTURE. THE EXTREME WEATHER WHERE I LIVE CAUSE THE CONDENSATION TO FREEZE CAUSING OIL TO BACKUP AND BLOW THE ENGINE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN SIX DEGREE WEATHER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND THE SPEED DECREASED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED A LOT OF SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY AN OIL VALVE SEPARATOR ISSUE. THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE ENGINE FROZE AND SHOT OUT ALL OF THE OIL FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE FAILURE COVERED BY HER AFTERMARKET WARRANTY, BUT THEY REFUSED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT AN INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE; THEREFORE, THE MANUFACTURER WOULD HAVE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE OIL VALVE SEPARATOR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THROUGH RESEARCH, SHE LEARNED THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AND, AFTER THE REPAIR IS PERFORMED, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. SHE BELIEVES THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 94,500.

2001 BMW X5 4.4 WITH 88,000 MILES. I SHIFTED TO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT, AND WHEN I TRIED TO APPLY THE GAS THE ENGINE REVVED BUT THE CAR DID NOT REVERSE. REVERSE WAS LIKE ANOTHER NEUTRAL. TOOK IT INTO LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND THEY SAID WE NEED TO REPLACE OUR TRANSMISSION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FILLED WITH SMOKE. SHE DROVE TO A GAS STATION AND OBSERVED ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS BEGINNING TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT CONTROL MELTED, WHICH CAUSED THE COPPER HOUSING UNIT TO MELT AND REST OVER THE FUEL SYSTEM OF THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT KEPT THE DEFECTIVE PARTS AND HAS SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,000.

ON OCT.16,2008 I WAS EXPERIENCING HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER I BRING IT TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP, AFTER THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS AND THE THROTTLE IS BAD AND NEED TO REPLACED AND INFORM ME THERE WAS SERVICE BULLETIN ON IT I CALL BMW DEALER SPEAK TO THEN ABOUT IT BUT THEY SAID THERE NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE BULLETIN WAS OVER I, IT COST ME $1,200 TO FIT THE PROBLEM 2001 X5 3.0 60,000 MI. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE, AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 01V206000 AND 02V138000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM:FAN). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,000.

WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER 7 TIMES SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY CPO 2001 X5 ON 10/03/2001. ALL REGULATORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE EXCEPT FOR THE PASSENGER FRONT ONLY ONCE SO FAR. THE FIRST 6 REPLACEMENTS WERE COVERED BY THE 4/50 WARRANTY OR THE CPO WARRANTY AT A $50.00 DEDUCTIBLE. THE 7TH REPLACEMENT COST ME $471. BMW HAS ENGINEERED A DEFECTIVE PART AND DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE THAT IT CONTINUES TO MALFUNCTION. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW USA AND THEY WILL PROVIDE NO COMPENSATION AND SAY THAT I MUST REPLACE ALL FUTURE FAILURES AT MY COST. THIS DOES NOT SEEM APPROPRIATE FOR A COMPANY THAT "SUPPOSEDLY" PRIDES ITSELF ON QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR

I OWN A 2001 BMW X5 WITH 65,000 MILES AND A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO REPAIR A FLAT TIRE. WHEN I WENT TO TURN ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS THEY WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGERS. TODAY I STARTED THE CAR AND THE HAZARDS STARTED BLINKING ON THEIR OWN. NOW I CAN'T TURN THEM OFF THEY CONTINUE TO KILL MY BATTERY. I PLAN TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THEM FIXED ASAP. *TR

MY 2001 BMW X5 HAS SERIOS ISSUES WITH ITS DESIGN THAT BMW CORP REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR FIX. 1ST THERE IS A FAULTY DESIGN ON THE PVC CAUSING THE VALVE TO FREEZE AND DRAIN THE OIL INTO THE ENGINE. THIS ALMOST CAUSED A FIRE IN MY CAR. AND COST ME ABOUT $1200 TO FIX. 2ND THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE FRONT DOORS WHEREBY THE EITHER FREEZE SHUT OR REFUSE TO LOCK IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 17F. THIS IS A HAZARD WAITING TO HAPPEN. PLEASE HELP US ( CONSUMERS) SINCE BMW APPARENTLY HAS NO INTEREST IN ADRESSING THESE ISSUES.*CN

I HAVE A 2001 BMW X-5. ON A COLD DAY IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR I LEFT WORK AND DROVE APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES WHEN MY YELLOW CHECK OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I COULD SMELL OIL AND NOTICED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS SMOKING OUT THE EXHAUST PIPE. I WENT TO THE NEAREST SERVICE STATION AND TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE TO CHECK THE OIL. WHEN I PULLED OUT THE DIP STICK, OIL SHOT OUT OF THE HOLE AND SPRAYED ALL OVER THE INTERIOR OF MY HOOD, ON MY FACE AND ALL OVER MY CLOTHING. THE OIL CRANKCASE HAD BECOME PRESSURIZED AND WAS FORCING THE OIL OUT THE ENGINE, THROUGH THE RINGS AND VALVE COVERS. AFTER WIPING OFF MY FACE, HANDS AND CLOTHING THE BEST I COULD, I ADDED THREE QUARTS OF OIL TO RETURN THE LEVEL TO ACCEPTABLE CONDITIONS. REPAIRS NEEDED TO GET NEW GASKETS AND OIL SEPARATOR, PCV VALVE, DIP STICK GUIDE TUBE AND HOSES. THESE REPAIRS COST $1690. LATER I UNDERSTOOD THAT BMW WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAD ISSUED A SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN # SI B 11 08 03 TO ITS SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I ALSO HEARD THAT MORE THAN 100 SIMILAR EVENTS OCCURRED IN MINNEAPOLIS DURING THE FIRST COLD SPELL OF THIS SEASON. BMW SHOULD HAVE INFORMED OWNERS OF BMW OF THE NEED TO REPLACE PCV VALVES IF REQUIRED TO BOTH PREVENT POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO CARS AND DRIVERS WHO LIKE MYSELF RESPONDED TO THE SITUATION AND ENDED UP BEING SPRAYED BY WARM ENGINE OIL. A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD EXISTED WITH OIL BEING FORCED FROM MY CRANKCASE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

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. *TR

BMW X5 3.0L 2001 1) CAR LOST POWER ON THE FREEWAY REQUIRING AN EMERGENCY STOP. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BUT NO ONE WAS INJURED. 2) A HOLE IN THE PLASTIC COOLING SYSTEM CAUSED THE COOLANT TO EJECT. THE ENGINE OVERHEATED CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE. THERE WERE NO AUDIBLE OR VISIBLE WARNINGS. APPARENTLY THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A COOLANT SENSOR AND THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE CAN MALFUNCTION IF THE COOLANT HAS ALL LEAKED OUT. 3) ENTIRE ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT 63,000 MILES (OUT OF WARRANTY). CAR HAS HAD ALL BMW RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SERVICE. *TR

BMW X5 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY. THE CAR ONLY HAS 93000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP IN REVERSE AND THE BMW DEALER DETERMINED THAT IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED (ESTIMATED COST $4500). *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IN ACTIVATION. THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM BEGAN TO CIRCULATE WARM AIR. IMMEDIATELY, THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS DEACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE COOLING FAN. THERE WERE TWO RECALLS UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V138000 AND 01V206000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN). THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE SAFETY RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TAIL LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR LIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE TWO DAYS LATER. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CLEANED THE CONTACTS, WHICH WORKED FOR A DAY OR SO. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR LIGHT FAILED ON OCTOBER 20, 2007. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,150 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,498. UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH A PASSENGER TOUCHED THE AUTOMATIC WINDOW CONTROL BUTTON AND THE WINDOW FELL OFF TRACK, FALLING INTO THE DOOR. *AK UPDATED 02/27/07. *JB

2001 BMW X5 RIGHT FRONT AXEL BOOT DISCOVERED LEAKING AFTER 5-1/2 YEARS LIGHT DUTY (57K MILES). LEFT FRONT ONE WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED AND ALSO NEEDED REPLACEMENT. IF NOT DISCOVERED, POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE RESULTED IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A DARK RURAL ROAD, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL LIGHTS AND POWER. EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED. AFTER 25 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, AND WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED A YEAR AGO FOR INTERMITTENT START PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE FAMILY.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A COUNTRY ROAD AT NIGHT, THERE WAS A LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, AND AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THERE WERE NO FURTHER INCIDENTS OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED, AS WELL AS, POWER BRAKES, POWER STEERING AND THE ENGINE. AFTER COASTING TO A STOP, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AFTER 25 MINUTES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS IN FAILSAFE MODE FOR THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME ABOUT A MILE AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THERE WERE NO SYMPTOMS OF THE PREVIOUS NIGHT. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RECREATED, ALTHOUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS WILLING TO SEND A TECHNICIAN FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN, THE MOTOR FAILED TO OPERATE. ALL FOUR WINDOWS WERE AFFECTED DURING THE PAST FOUR MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE REGULATORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/28/2006 - THE CONSUMER HAS CHANGED ALL 4 REGULATORS IN THE VEHICLE. *NM

WHILE PARKED, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER MOVED INTO THE REVERSE POSITION, BUT THE CAR FAILED TO MOVE WITH THE LEVER IN THAT POSITION. WE CHANGED THE POSITION OF THE SHIFT LEVER SEVERAL TIMES ALWAYS GOING BACK TO REVERSE, BUT THE CAR WOULD NEVER MOVE WHEN IN REVERSE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED IN FREEZING CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH FREEZES SHUT. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE LATCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT IS UNAWARE IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE OTHER DOORS, SINCE THEY ARE NOT USED. UPDATED 03/09/06

MY 2001 BMW X5 DOOR LOCKS GET STUCK WHEN IT IS VERY COLD, USUALLY BELOW 15 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE KEY REMOTE DOES NOT WORK & IF I CAN GET THE KEY TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR, AND GET INTO THE VEHICLE, WHEN I GO TO SHUT THE DOOR THE LATCH IS STUCK "OPEN" AND WILL NOT CLOSE, THEREFORE MAKING THE CAR UN-DRIVABLE BECAUSE THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH CLOSE. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS W/ BMW ON 8/16/05 & THEY REVIEWED IT. A BMW DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT THEY HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CURRENT "LATCHING/LOCKING" SYSTEM CAN ALLOW MOISTURE TO GET INTO THE LOCKS & MAKE THEM UNUSABLE. THEY OFFERED TO REPLACE ALL 4 LOCKING MECHANISMS BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY 1/2 PART & LABOR, COST TO ME $450.00 OUT OF POCKET. THIS SOUNDS LIKE AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM THAT BMW SHOULD RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS INVESTIGATED. *NM

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. WINDOW ON FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT GO BACK UP AFTER OPENED, THEN A DAY LATER, THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. DEALER REPLACED THE WINDOW MECHANISM THAT CONTROLS BOTH THE DOOR HANDLE AND THE WINDOW AT MY COST MIND YOU THE REAR WINDOW AND DOOR HAD BEEN DONE ONLY A YEAR BEFORE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THIS HAPPENS ON ALL GERMAN CARS, DOESN'T MATTER THE AGE OF CAR OR MAKE. HOW FRUSTRATING - SPEND $45,000 AND KNOW WINDOWS WILL EVENTUALLY QUIT WORKING?? 5. FRONT RIGHT HEADLAMP GETS MOISTURE IN IT AND IT TAKES 3-5 DAYS TO CLEAR UP. 6. DRIVER CUP HOLDERS, WHAT IS UP WITH THAT - CAN ONLY PUT ONE CUP IN IT, WHEN TRY TO PUT 2 IN, THEY OVERLAP, VERY FRUSTRATING WHEN DRIVING. 7. STORAGE IN FRONT MINIMAL AND A HASSLE, YOU HAVE TO REACH BACK AND SORT OF BEHIND YOU TO GET INTO COMPARTMENT - DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING. 8. LEATHER SEATS ARE VERY HARD, NEED A PLUSHIER LEATHER. 9. WHEELS, BRAKE "DUST" GETS ALL OVER THE WHEELS MUCH MUCH MORE THAN ANY OTHER LUXURY CAR I HAVE EVER HAD. 10. CARGO COVER IN REAR NEEDS WORK, CHECK OUT THE ONE LEXUS USES IN RX30. 11. NEED MORE CARGO SPACE - COMPARED TO RX330 AND THE VOLVO X90, SPACE IS EXTREMELY SMALL. 12. DISAPPOINTED IN MY CAR - WANT TO SELL IT, WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER BMW. *NM

ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS FAIL, NO ENTRY IN TO THE VEHICLE. WAS REPAIRED AND THEN FAILED AGAIN. *JB

DT: CONTACT STATD BMW X5 2001 CAUGHT ON FIRE ON JULY 21, 2005. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS AT HOT, THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER, THE TACHOMETER WAS OVER 4 AND WHITE SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE ENGINE AREA WHILE HE WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY GOING APPROX. 30 MPH. AS THE SMOKE GOT WORSE, HE PULLED OFF AND THE SMOKE BECAME VERY WHITE AND DENSE AND THEN IGNITED INTO A FIRE. THE FIRE DEPT. DID COME OUT. THE FIRE DID ORIGINATE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PRIOR TO THIS HE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR HEATING UP. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *AK

AFTER EXPERIENCING PREVIOUS HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING AND AFTER DEALER INSPECTION, NO FAULTS WERE FOUND AND NO CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS TAKEN BY THE BMW DEALER. WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGH SPEED EXPRESSWAY, THE X5 SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING SHUT DOWN ALL SYSTEMS AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. AFTER FINALLY GETTING OFF THE ROAD, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOME. THE NEXT DAY, THE CAR WAS ABLE TO START AND, ALTHOUGH THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO GO OVER 30 MPH, I DROVE TO MY BMW DEALER. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM QUICKLY AND INFORMED ME THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED IN AUGUST, 2003 ON THIS PROBLEM. THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS AND THROTTLE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, BMW ASSUMED NONE OF THE COST WHICH WAS ABOUT $1,200.00. I BELIEVE THAT OWNERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN IT WAS RECOGNIZED BY BMW. THE SERVICE BULLETIN STATED THAT THE PROBLEM SHOULD ONLY BE CORRECTED "UPON A CUSTOMER'S COMPLAINT" WHICH I BELIEVE IS TOTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE AND JEOPARDIZES THE SAFETY OF OCCUPANTS.

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. (3) THE MOLDING AROUND THE DOOR FRAMES HAS DISINTEGRATED HORRIBLY AND STARTED TO COME OFF ($250 TO REPAIR). THE DEALER SAID THIS IS NORMAL. (4) WITHIN THE PAST THREE YEARS, I HAVE HAD THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR REPLACED THREE TIMES. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM W/BMWS. (5) I NOW MUST ROLL DOWN MY WINDOW AND OPEN MY DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE BECAUSE THE DOOR HANDLE JAMS AND WON'T ALLOW ME TO OPEN DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES ALREADY, ($1,000 TO FIX). (6) BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE ALREADY - AND OF COURSE THE DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY AT $200 A POP. (7) THE BOTH FRONT DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ARE DEFECTIVE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED ($400 EACH). IT WILL NOT LOCK/UNLOCK THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR SO WE MUST DO SO MANUALLY. (8) THE REAR HATCH WOULD NOT OPEN PROPERLY. THE LATCH ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE (THANKFULLY UNDER WARRANTY) BEFORE OUR PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. (9) THE LEFT REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY IS NOW BEING REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME ($259) BECAUSE THE BULB CONTINUES TO GO OUT FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON. HAD I KNOWN THAT I WAS BUYING A "MONEY PIT" INSTEAD OF A LUXURY VEHICLE, I WOULD HAVE RUN AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP SCREAMING. I AM PREPARING TO SELL OR TRADE THIS HEADACHE FOR SOMETHING WITH FEWER PROBLEMS. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER BMW AGAIN! *NM

THE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH ALL THE WINDOWS. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW SUDDENLY FELL INTO THE DOOR. *SC *JB

I PURCHASED MY 2001 BMW X5, NEW IN SEPT OF 2000. I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT PRETTY QUICKLY. THE MOST PLAUGING PROBLEM WAS THE GAS GAUGE. IT TOOK BMW 5 TIMES TO FINALLY FIX IT. 2/26/01 14461 MILAGE, 3/9/01 14512 MILAGE, 5/16/01 18566 MILES, 8/29/01 24493 MILES, AND FINALLY 2/26/02 37268 MILES. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF OTHER ISSUES WITH THE CAR, WATER PUMP, LOWER CONTRO ARM (TWICE), AND VARIOUS OTHER NON-ESSENTIAL ITEMS. I TRIED TO ENACT THE LEMON LAW, BUT SINCE THE 3RD TIME ON THE FUEL GAUGE WAS AT 18500 MILES, I WAS TOLD IT DIDN'T APPLY. NOW AFTER 4 AND A HALF YEARS, I HAVE 114,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND I WAS JUST TOLD THAT THE MOTOR IS SHOT AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $11,500. I CAN'T SINK THAT KIND OF MONEY INTO A CAR WITH THAT MANY MILES BUT I CAN'T SELL IT WITH A BAD MOTOR AND I CAN'T MAKE PAYMENTS ON TWO CARS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER AND BMW HAS REFUESED HELP ME. THE ONLY OFFER THEY MADE WAS TO GIVE ME $5000.00 OFF ON A NEW CAR WHEN I HIRED A LAWYER TO TRY TO ENACT THE LEMON LAW, BUT WITH THE MILAGE I HAD ON THE CAR ALREADY I STILL WOULD HAVE OWED THEM MONEY ON THE TRADE-IN. THERE HASN'T BEEN ONE INCIDENT. IT'S JUST BEEN ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAVE PAID BMW OVER $3600.00 FOR SERVICE AND REPAIRS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. NOW IT'S GOING TO COST ME OVER $11,000 MORE TO GET THE CAR RUNNING AGAIN. I HAVE ALL THE SERVICE RECORDS AND HAVE ALWAYS PAMPERED THE CAR. I ONLY USED THE BEST GAS, NEVER MISSED ANY SCHEDULED SERVICES. I CAN'T BELIEVE BMW IS NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS BETTER THAN THIS.*AK

THE WINDOW REGULATORS FOR ALL FOUR WINDOWS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED OVER A 2 YEAR PERIOD. WAS TOLD BY BMW DEALER THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT BMW REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. EACH WINDOW WOULD MAKE A CLINKING NOISE JUST PRIOR TO THE WINDOW REGULATOR BREAKING LEAVING THE WINDOW STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION. *JB

I HAVE A 2001 BMW X5 WHICH HAS PROBLEMS WITH FREEZING FRONT DOORS (BMW HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE DESIGN DEFECT, REFERENCE # 200503100195, SI 510204, AND S.I. 51 51 02 DATED MARCH 2002.) THAT POSE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD, AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN ADEQUATE RESPONSE IN DEALING WITH THE MATTER. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. I AM AN ACTIVE DUTY ARMY OFFICER STATIONED IN GARMISCH, GERMANY. THE CAR WAS WITH US IN CALIFORNIA AND KANSAS FROM 2001 TO 2004. THE CAR DID NOT HAVE THE DOOR FREEZING PROBLEMS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY; WE KEPT IT IN A GARAGE AND THE BOWDEN CABLES DID NOT GET WET DURING COLD WEATHER. WE HAVE NO GARAGE HERE, AND ANY TIME THE WEATHER GETS A FEW DEGREES BELOW FREEZING, THE FRONT DOORS CEASE TO OPERATE. ONE MUST RUN THE CAR BETWEEN 15 MINUTES TO 1.5 HOURS BEFORE THE DOORS OPERATE NORMALLY. WHEN THE CAR COOLS DOWN, THE DOORS FREEZE AGAIN. THE PROBLEM WITH THE DOORS HERE IN GERMANY IS SEVERE AND POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK; DOES BMW REALLY WANT TO RISK LITIGATION FOR SOMEONE TRAPPED IN THE CAR IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT? I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE CAR WAS NOT RECALLED FOR SUCH A SERIOUS AND ACKNOWLEDGED SAFETY DESIGN DEFECT. OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN GARMISCH IS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BELOW SI IN HIS DATABASE. HE DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM ALSO DISTURBED THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY UPWARDS OF $1000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM---THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED WHEN THE CAR WENT UNDER SERVICES IN LATE WINTER OF 2004 (AND ALSO HAD OTHER SI WORK DONE, SUCH AS A FAULTY RADIATOR FAN THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE CAR TO BURN----HECK OF A COMBINATION IF THE FREEZING DOORS HAD BEEN ACTING UP AT THE SAME TIME!).*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH STEERING GEAR BROKE. THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING. VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL. OWNER HAD THE BMW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP. THIS IS WHEN THE OWNER WAS INFORMED AS TO WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE. OWNER WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT AN ENGINEERING TEAM WOULD BE OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. AS OF TODAY THAT NEVER HAPPENED. *AK

I HAVE 2001 BMW X5 3.0. AFTER LAST WEEK'S SNOW STORM AND COLD WEATHER IN BOSTON AREA, MY 2001 X5 DOORS ARE FROZEN. ACTUALLY, I OPENED THEM FROM OUTSIDE YESTERDAY MORNING (FEELS LIKE DOOR HANDLE GOT FROZEN). BUT THEN I COULD NOT GET THEM CLOSED. SO, I HAD TO PUSH DOWN DOOR LOCK (LITTLE KNOB) BY WINDOW AND PULL HARD TO GET THEM CLOSED. NOW, I COULD NOT OPEN THEM AT ALL. I AM CLIMBING IN AND OUT OF THE TRUNK DOOR TO GET INSIDE. FORTUATELY, THERE IS NO ACCIDENT. BUT, I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHEN AN ACCIDENT DOES OCCUR (HARD TO ESCAPE). BMW NORTH AMERICA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM (SI 51 51 02), HOWEVER THERE IS NO PROPER ACTION FROM THEM.*AK

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN STALLING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHILE ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP, HOWEVER THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED. *JB

2001 BMW X5. IN COLD WEATHER THE DOORS FREEZE UP NOT ALLOWING ACCESS IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD TO CRAWL THROUGH THE HATCH OR REAR DOORS TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND CREATES A REAL HAZARD AS YOU CANNOT EGRESS THE VEHICLE QUICKLY. ALSO THE LATCH FREEZES AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE DOOR TO CLOSE SO THE DOOR CAN FLY OPEN WHILE DRIVING. I AM AN ACTIVE MEMBER ON A BMW OWNERS MESSAGE BOARD AND THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR MANY DRIVERS. *NM

1) COLD WEATHER 2) NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS/NOT ABLE TO CLOSE IT SINCE THE INTERNAL LOCKS FREEZE 3) HEAT UP THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR FOR LONG PERIOD (@25 MIN) WITH DOOR PUSHED IN SO IT WILL FINALLY STAYS SHUT! THIS IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM AMONG BMW X5'S BUT THE MFG REFUSES TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY. *NM

I LIVE IN UPSTATE NY. LAST NIGHT THE TEMPERATURES DROPPED TO A VERY CHILLY 0 DEGREES F. OR SO. IN THE MORNING I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OF MY BMW X5 4.4 (2001). THE LATCH SEEMED TO WORK BUT THE DOOR SEEMED FROZEN SHUT, SO I PULLED HARDER. THE DOOR FINALLY CAME OPEN - BUT ALL LATCHES ON THAT DOOR HAVE CEASED TO WORK - FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR SEEMS TO BE SHOWING SIMILAR SYMPTOMS BUT I HAVE NOT PULLED THE DOOR OPEN YET FOR FEAR OF FURTHER DAMAGE. FORTUNATELY I WASN'T DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED BUT I COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY BEEN LOCKED INSIDE MY CAR WITHOUT ANY WAY TO EXIT IT! I'LL BE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ASAP TO GET IT REPAIRED BUT THIS SEEMS LIKE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT BMW HAS BEEN UNWILLING TO ADDRESS! *NM

EVENT: COLD WEATHER BELOW 15 DEGREES F. FAILURE: DOOR LOCKS FREEZE SO THAT DOORS CAN NOT BE CLOSED OR PASSENGERS CAN NOT GET OUT. DOOR LOCKS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THAT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. *NM

THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR MECHANISM FREEZES (FREQUENTLY) IN COLD WEATHER SUCH THAT THE DOOR WILL OPEN BUT WILL NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSED. THE RESULT IS THAT A DRIVER MUST DRIVE HOLDING THE DOOR CLOSED OR NOT DRIVE THE CAR AT ALL, WHICH IS DIFFICULT IF YOU NEED TO GET HOME. *JB

READ THAT THE BMW X5 HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT'S DOOR LOCK MECHANISM. I HAD EXPERIENCED THE LOCKS NOT OPENING IN THE COLD MYSELF, AND HAD SEEN SEVERAL PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE PROBLEM. DURING A SKI TRIP TO MOUNTT SNOW VERMONT MY DOOR LOCKS WERE SLOW TO OPEN. THE PASSENGER DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE AT FIRST. THEN WHEN PUSHED HARD IT CLOSED. THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WITH MY PASSENGER INSIDE. SHE TRIED THE DOOR HANDLE, FROM INSIDE AND I HAD TRIED IT FROM OUTSIDE. THE DOOR WAS UNLOCKED, BUT WOULD NOT OPEN AT ALL. I THEN TRIED THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND IT WOULDN'T OPEN. THE PASSENGER HAD TO CLIMB OUT THE REAR DOORS. IT TOOK ABOUT A HALF HOUR OF THE CAR RUNNING BEFORE THE DOOR WOULD OPEN. IN AN EMERGENCY, THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER WOULD HAVE BEEN TOAST. *AK

BMW X-5 COOLANT SYSTEM FAILURE WITH ONLY 26,800 MILES. THE COOLANT RESERVOIR AND TUBES TO THE RADIATOR BURNED OUT. ALSO 3 POWER WINDOW REGULATORS MALFUNCTIONED. AT THIS MOMENT FIXED BUT UNACCEPTABLE FOR THE COST AND ENGINEERING OF THE CAR. ALL PARTS WERE REPLACED AND SUPPOSEDLY NEW. DID NOT SEE NEW OR OLD PARTS. *JB

AT 40K MILES 4.4 X 5 HAD ELECTRICAL FAILURE, ALL DASH LIGHTS AND DIGITAL GAUGES WENT OUT WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON. DROVE WITH ONLY SPEEDOMETER AND NON DIGITAL GAUGES WORKING. CHECKED FUSES AND CHANGED A FEW BUT COULD NOT GET THEM TO WORK. CHARGED FOR SERVICE TO REPAIR 200. DIGITAL GAUGES ARE STILL NOT ALL LIT. ONLY PARTIAL DIGITS FOR TIME AND ODOMETER READING. THESE GAUGES SHOULD WORK UNTIL AT LEAST 100,000 MILES ON ANY CAR. I AM CONSIDERING A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AS I FEEL ROBBED AND CHEATED TO BY BMW ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS. *JB

DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE/LATCH IN WEATHER OF 25 DEGREES. DOOR FINALLY CLOSED, BUT HANDLE WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR. LATCH/MECHANISM IN DOOR FROZEN. WEATHER WARMED UP TO OVER 32F AND THE DOOR FINALLY OPENED.*AK

NORMAL DRIVING, RADIATOR RESERVOIR CRACKED DURING NORMAL DRIVING, LEAKING VERY HOT RADIATOR FLUID, CAUSING SMOKING, STOPPED VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED. *AK

FAILURE OF PASSENGER DOOR WIRING HARNESS, CONNECTIONS WERE CORRODED, CAUSING THE DOOR TO STOP FUNCTIONING I.E. DOOR OPENING, DOOR LOCK, WINDOW WOULD NOT WORK. THE DOOR HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED FOR A BROKEN DOOR LOCK HANDLE. THERE WERE 3-X5'S AT THE SHOP WITH SAME PROBLEM THAT WEEK.*AK

CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FUEL TANK. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

FUEL TANK LEAKING. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. NEEDED FUEL TANK AND LINES REPLACED. OVER $4,000 IN REPAIRS FOR A 2001? ASKED ABOUT RECALL ON FUEL TANKS TSB 165200.. SAID DOES NOT PERTAIN TO MY VEHICLE. WHATEVER?*AK