Model year record

2002 BMW 5 Series recalls & problems

The 2002 BMW 5 Series has 2 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (2 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints7filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SteeringAug 28, 2019

Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting

Recall 19E058000614 vehicles

Problem: ZF Group North America Operations (ZF) is recalling certain LemfÃ¶rder 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 coolingAug 10, 2012

Cooling system › Fan

Recall 12E029000585 vehicles

Problem: 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 the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2002 BMW 5 Series Sport Wagon w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission	2	1	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights	1	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine	1	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield	1	0	0	—
Suspension	1	0	0	—
Equipment adaptive/mobility	1	1	0	—
StructureBody	1	0	1	—
Engine	1	0	1	—
Unknown or other	1	0	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › BodyFire
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 INTO HEAT DAMAGE INVOLVING THE HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM AS EARLY AS 2007 BUT STEPPED UP ITS ANALYSIS WORK IN SEPTEMBER." THAT WAS FROM A CHRONOLOGY REPORT PROVIDED BY BMW TO NHTSA, AND QUOTED FROM ABCNEWS.GO.COM. WHAT THIS TELLS ME IS BMW DIDN'T LOOK BACK ANY EARLIER THAN 2007. IT WAS TERRIFYING, AND THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT. WHAT IS BMW DOING…
Jan 15, 2019 · 160,000 miles
Equipment adaptive/mobilityCrash
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 TACHOMETER. THE DRIVER BEHIND ME (ANOTHER BMW 3 SERIES),TAILGATED ME. IT SCARED ME SO BAD, THAT I DID NOT SEE A DEEP POT HOLE IN THE ROAD SURFACE. I HIT IT SO HARD, THAT I SPUN AROUND AND ALL OF MY WHEELS WERE DAMAGED. I HAD ALL FOUR WHEELS REPAIRED AND TIRES AT A COST OF $2000.THE DAY BEFORE, I NOTICED THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS ON. OF COURSE,…
Jun 12, 2013 · 96,000 miles
Suspension
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
Jul 29, 2008 · 74,000 miles
Visibility › Windshield
RUBBER AROUND THE WINDSHIELD IS CRUMBLING. OBVIOUS DEFECTIVE MATERIAL USED IN THE RUBBER COMPOUND. BMW REFUSES TO ADDRES THE PROBLEM. *TR
May 1, 2007 · 74,000 miles
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
Mar 11, 2003
Power train › Automatic transmission
THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL.*JB
Mar 1, 2003
Exterior lighting › Headlights
XENON HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO BRIGHT, BLIND ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THESE HEADLIGHTS SHOULD BE BANNED! WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO HEADLIGHT STANDARDS.
Dec 2, 2002

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.