2002 Bmw 5 Series problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility:windshield (1) · Suspension (1) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 5 Series model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting 2019-08-28 · campaign 19E058000 · 614 vehicles
Defect: ZF Group North America Operations (ZF) is recalling certain Lemförder Steering Center Rods sold as aftermarket parts for 1996-2004 BMW 5-Series (E39) vehicles. The steering center rods may have an insufficient ball pin pull force that may allow the rods to detach from the steering knuckle.
Risk: If the steering rod detaches from the steerable wheel knuckle, it can cause sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: ZF has notified the parts distributors, instructing them to inform the end customer. ZF will reimburse them for the affected parts. The recall began August 28, 2019.
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan 2012-08-10 · campaign 12E029000 · 585 vehicles
Defect: This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on
Risk: This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Fix: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
Service bulletins (38)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2023-12-20 · B160623 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
engine 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 dme: 032b43 - low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low cda594 - message (- 0x33e) missing, rec
Equipment 2023-11-22 · B653423 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
customers may state that the alarm system (dwa) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. depending on the vehicleã¢ââs equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. additionally, the red anti-theft alarm led in
Vehicle Speed Control 2023-10-19 · B660523 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
various functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (adcam system) can lead to customer complaints.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2017-12-01 · B122917 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service action: program dme: the incorrect dataset could be programmed into dme 5.2.1 control module.
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery 2012-12-01 · SIB-61-37-12 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bmw: the high-voltage (hv) battery cells could be damaged if the vehicle is prevented from entering sleep mode for an extended period of time. updated 03/11/2013 *js
Showing the 6 most recent of 38 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-02-19 · Unknown Or Other · 160,000 mi · 🔥 fire“i have a 2002 525i which i drove to work on january 15, 2019. after being in work for 15 minutes, i was notified that the entire front end of my car was engulfed in flames. the top of the hood, under the hood, and under the front end of my car was completely on fire. i have read about the pvc recall for 2007-2011, but i also read "bmw had looked…”
2014-07-01 · Power Train · 96,000 mi · 💥 crash“driving at 50 mph i was being harassed by another motorist because i was driving the speed limit. i decided to let him pass but first i had to speed up to 58 mph inorder to completely overtake a passenger car to my right (passenger side) i gave the throttle some gas and the car went nowhere. the needle went all the way into the red zone on the tach…”
2008-07-30 · Visibility:windshield · 74,000 mi“rubber around the windshield is crumbling. obvious defective material used in the rubber compound. bmw refuses to addres the problem. *tr…”
2008-07-30 · Suspension · 74,000 mi“had my front thrust rod bushings replaced at bmw dealer due to vibration in steering at about 40,000 miles. problem returned at 74000 miles (2.5 years later). defective material results in bushing cracks which negatively affects steering. *tr…”
2003-03-19 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine“car has hesitated while being driven at or above 50 mph. car has stalled completely while accelerating out of a parking lot and while being driven at 40 mph. *nlm…”
2003-03-05 · Power Train:automatic Transmission“the vehicle failed to shift, which caused the vehicle to stall.*jb…”
2002-12-31 · Exterior Lighting:headlights“xenon headlights are too bright, blind oncoming traffic. these headlights should be banned! what ever happened to headlight standards.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.