2002 BMW 5 Series Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 BMW 5 Series, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine222.2%
- Exterior lighting111.1%
- Other / unspecified111.1%
- Powertrain (other)111.1%
- Suspension111.1%
- Transmission111.1%
- Body & structure111.1%
- Visibility111.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 ABOUT THIS? AND WHAT IS MY NEXT COURSE OF ACTION?
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
XENON HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO BRIGHT, BLIND ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THESE HEADLIGHTS SHOULD BE BANNED! WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO HEADLIGHT STANDARDS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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, I WANT THIS CHECKED OUT.SO I SCANNED THE CAR. IT WAS DISPLAYING 000030 BMW/ OR FOR/ P CODE P0741 " TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH VALVE STUCK OFF .SO I WENT TO A BMW DEALER. EXPLAINED EVERYTHING. THEY SHOW ME THE CODES PULLED FROM THE CAR. THE CODE FOR THE TC CLUTCH VALVE NOT WORKING WAS SHOWN.(THEIR EQUIVALENT TO P0741) THEY TELL ME IT IS THE DISA VALVE.???? IS BMW TRYING TO COVER THIS UP?.DISA HAS ZERO TO DO WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER. I SEE HOW MANY HAVE FAILED AND BMW DOES NOTHING? I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND WITH MY REQUEST IN A MANNER THAT AFFECTED MY WELL BEING. IF THIS PROBLEM IS INVOLVED WITH MANY, MANY CLAIMS BECAUSE OF A PART THAT IS PROVEN TO BE DEFICIENT AS IT SOUNDS, I AM SURE IF INVESTIGATED YOU WILL FIND SOME INJURIES AND/OR DAMAGES AND DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED AND WHEN THE DEALER SEES A BAD ONE, THEY TRY TO BILL IT OUT AS SOMETHING ELSE. I CAN NOT BE THE ONLY ONE. AND WHY DID THE BMW DEALER TRY TO RIP ME OFF? I LIKE MY CAR BUT THE LETTERS BMW PUT A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH. RIGHT DOWN TO THE JERK WHO TRIED TO RUN ME OFF OF THE ROAD. BMW= ? ANYONE ELSE? ANYONE WHO WAS TOLD SOMETHING ELSE WAS BAD WHEN IT IS A BAD SEAL INSIDE THE TORQUE CONVERTER? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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, I WANT THIS CHECKED OUT.SO I SCANNED THE CAR. IT WAS DISPLAYING 000030 BMW/ OR FOR/ P CODE P0741 " TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH VALVE STUCK OFF .SO I WENT TO A BMW DEALER. EXPLAINED EVERYTHING. THEY SHOW ME THE CODES PULLED FROM THE CAR. THE CODE FOR THE TC CLUTCH VALVE NOT WORKING WAS SHOWN.(THEIR EQUIVALENT TO P0741) THEY TELL ME IT IS THE DISA VALVE.???? IS BMW TRYING TO COVER THIS UP?.DISA HAS ZERO TO DO WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER. I SEE HOW MANY HAVE FAILED AND BMW DOES NOTHING? I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND WITH MY REQUEST IN A MANNER THAT AFFECTED MY WELL BEING. IF THIS PROBLEM IS INVOLVED WITH MANY, MANY CLAIMS BECAUSE OF A PART THAT IS PROVEN TO BE DEFICIENT AS IT SOUNDS, I AM SURE IF INVESTIGATED YOU WILL FIND SOME INJURIES AND/OR DAMAGES AND DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED AND WHEN THE DEALER SEES A BAD ONE, THEY TRY TO BILL IT OUT AS SOMETHING ELSE. I CAN NOT BE THE ONLY ONE. AND WHY DID THE BMW DEALER TRY TO RIP ME OFF? I LIKE MY CAR BUT THE LETTERS BMW PUT A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH. RIGHT DOWN TO THE JERK WHO TRIED TO RUN ME OFF OF THE ROAD. BMW= ? ANYONE ELSE? ANYONE WHO WAS TOLD SOMETHING ELSE WAS BAD WHEN IT IS A BAD SEAL INSIDE THE TORQUE CONVERTER? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 ABOUT THIS? AND WHAT IS MY NEXT COURSE OF ACTION?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
RUBBER AROUND THE WINDSHIELD IS CRUMBLING. OBVIOUS DEFECTIVE MATERIAL USED IN THE RUBBER COMPOUND. BMW REFUSES TO ADDRES THE PROBLEM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .