RoadVitals

2000 BMW X5

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

NHTSA has issued a “do not drive” advisory affecting this model year.

Campaign 25V748000. Confirm whether your specific vehicle is covered using its VIN before acting on this.

Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov
Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
29
Latest May 26, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest Oct 31, 2025
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 29 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 BMW X5, most frequently naming the visibility, transmission and interior & seats categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 78 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Visibility720.6%
  • Transmission617.6%
  • Interior & seats38.8%
  • Brakes38.8%
  • Exterior lighting25.9%
  • Seat belts25.9%
  • Electrical25.9%
  • Suspension12.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
25V748000NHTSA advisory: do not drive

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Oct 31, 2025
5,361 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 X5 vehicles that may be equipped with a sport steering wheel containing a Takata PSDI-4 air bag inflator. The inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's front air bag, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 23, 2025. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 19V015.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
03V001000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Jan 9, 2003
84,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE FRONT BRAKE LINE TO SLIP OUT OF THE RETAINING BRACKET LOCATED AT THE FRONT STRUT. THE BRAKE HOSE THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE LINE COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE TIRE AND BE SUBJECTED TO WEAR AND ABRASION.
The risk: THIS COULD INITIALLY CAUSE SOME BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, AND EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. THERE COULD BE A NOTICEABLE REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCE IF A LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE OCCURS.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL RETAINING CLIP TO FURTHER SECURE THE BRAKE LINE TO THE FRONT STRUT. ADDITIONALLY, IF INSPECTION OF ANY BRAKE HOSE INDICATES THAT IT HAS EXPERIENCED DAMAGE, THE HOSE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
02V194000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

Jul 24, 2002
34,860 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM PIVOT SHAFT COULD LOOSEN FROM ITS SUPPORT BRACKET.
The risk: EVENTUALLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM COULD DETACH FROM THE BRACKET, RENDERING THE SERVICE BRAKING SYSTEM INEFFECTIVE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM PIVOT SHAFT FOR PROPER SEATING IN ITS SUPPORT BRACKET. IN ADDITION, A PIN WILL BE INSTALLED TO SECURE THE SHAFT TO THE BRACKET. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-332-4269.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 29
BrakesSuspension
Filed May 26, 2016

INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 3/14/2016 AT THE INTERSECTION OF E LAKE FOREST DR/ MIMOSA WY DURING DRIVING. COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE DURING DRIVING WHILE TURNING CORNER FROM TIRE WEARING AGAINST PASSENGER FRONT BRAKE LINE. ALMOST CAUSED SERIOUS AUTO ACCIDENT. INQUIRED WITH DEALER WHEN PURCHASING REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT THERE WAS A KNOWN RECALL FOR THIS INCIDENT AND DEALER DID NOT KNOW PROCESS FOR NTSA RECALLS. OWNER PAID FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS AS DEALER/MANUFACTURER WAS UNWILLING TO FIX. CAN PROVIDE RECEIPTS. REPORT RECEIPT DATE: JAN 09, 2003 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V001000 COMPONENT(S): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC ALL PRODUCTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RECALL EXPAND DETAILS CLOSE 10 ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS EXPAND MANUFACTURER: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE FRONT BRAKE LINE TO SLIP OUT OF THE RETAINING BRACKET LOCATED AT THE FRONT STRUT. THE BRAKE HOSE THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE LINE COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE TIRE AND BE SUBJECTED TO WEAR AND ABRASION. CONSEQUENCE: THIS COULD INITIALLY CAUSE SOME BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, AND EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. THERE COULD BE A NOTICEABLE REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCE IF A LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE OCCURS. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL RETAINING CLIP TO FURTHER SECURE THE BRAKE LINE TO THE FRONT STRUT. ADDITIONALLY, IF INSPECTION OF ANY BRAKE HOSE INDICATES THAT IT HAS EXPERIENCED DAMAGE, THE HOSE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117. NOTES: CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

NHTSA ID
10871057
Incident
Mar 14, 2016
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 3, 2015
Fire reported

PULLED VEHICLE INTO GARAGE AND FRONT, RIGHT SIDE STARTED SMOKING. MY DAUGHTER AND I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND RAN INTO THE HOUSE TO ALERT MY HUSBAND. WITHIN SECONDS, SMOKE FILLED THE GARAGE AND FIRE WAS VISIBLE UNDER FRONT, RIGHT TIRE AND THROUGH HOOD. I CALLED THE 911 AND MY HUSBAND TRIED TO DOUSE THE FLAMES. THIS NOT WORKING, SO MY HUSBAND MADE THE DECISION TO BACK THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE, HOWEVER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. HE QUICKLY MADE THE DECISION TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED IT FROM THE DRIVER'S DOOR FRAME TO THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVEWAY. SECONDS LATER, THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR WAS IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND DOUSED THE FLAMES. THEY ALSO HAD TO CUT OPEN THE HOOD TO ENSURE ALL FLAMES WERE OUT PRIOR TO LEAVING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10703558
Incident
Mar 31, 2015
Mileage
122,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 21, 2013

I WAS TURNING INTO A RESTAURANT ( I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED) AND AS I GOT THE CHANCE TO TAKE THE TURN, IT BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL, LUCKILY MY SON WAS SITTING NEXT TO ME AND HE HAD TO MANUALLY HELP ME TO TURN THE CAR. I HIT THE CURB BUT LUCKILY MANAGED TO PULL OUT OF THE STREET AND OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. IT WAS A HIGHWAY SO PEOPLE WERE GOING ABOUT 55-60 MPH (I GOT HONKED AT). WE PULLED IN STOPPED AT THE ENTRANCE. WE TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, MY SON WENT OUT TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE AND IF ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TIRES. WE BARELY MADE IT TO A PARKING SPOT AS MY SON COULD BARELY TURN IT. PLEASE FIX THIS ISSUE, PRAISE THE LORD NOBODY WAS HURT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10513015
Incident
May 21, 2013
Mileage
95,364 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Apr 13, 2012

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME. THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, PASSENGER'S FRONT WINDOW FAILED TO OPERATE. THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPONENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10455084
Incident
Mar 5, 2012
Seat belts
Filed Mar 26, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW X5. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT. AFTER SOME TIME, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAT BELT REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ID
10452983
Incident
Jun 1, 2005
Mileage
50,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 24, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW X5. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE USING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE THROUGH ANOTHER DOOR AND NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR ALSO WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10384325
Incident
Feb 24, 2011
Mileage
76,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 19, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS HAVE FALLEN INSIDE THE DOOR DUE TO A FAULTY REGULATOR. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REPAIRED AND FIVE DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BROKE. THE CONTACT HAS CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND REQUESTED THAT THEY ASSUME THE COST SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT A DEFECT INVESTIGATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR HIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID
10312139
Incident
Feb 10, 2010
Mileage
60,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedTransmission
Filed Feb 11, 2010

NO REVERSE AND ALSO NO COMMUNICATION TO THE ABS MODULE SO NO ABS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10308824
Incident
Jan 25, 2010
Mileage
75,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B067124

ENGINE

Thermostat Return

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

B160623

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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, receiver DME, transmitter TFE

B653423

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicle’s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm LED in the interior mirror does not briefly flash every 2 seconds, indicating the alarm is armed.

B522319

SEATS

Second seat row blocking access to third seat row, program seat modules. Visible stitching on first row sport seat. Third seat row backrest Bowden cable routing and length change.

B660523

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE; LANE DEPARTURE; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Various functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (ADCAM system) can lead to customer complaints.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW X5 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026142060.2
2025575061.6
20241438056.7
2023314058.7
2022621161.0
202110012170.8
202010311172.0
201918013060.7
2018685361.4
2017736358.8
2016705362.2
20151496259.6
2014988265.2
20131486159.6
201227110156.3
201126314157.2
201012314156.3
200913812155.9
200821510050.9
2007718051.3
20061672155.1
2005823051.7
2004644054.3
2003993053.3
20021023051.4
200116012056.7
2000Viewing296050.7
1999010—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.