2001 BMW X5 Problems & Complaints

My vehicle is DO NOT DRIVE condition. I have not been able to schedule air bag recall repair because the dealerships in my area will not tow to and from my home, and say no mobile service is available. WHAT ARE MY OPINIONS? PLEASE REPLY .....I currently can't drive my car because I have a unexploded claymore in my face!

I bought this vehicle and turns out the license plate reads as a Tahoe and now the electricial system u plugged speedometer don't work and everything is going out I need help I'm low on money but need help or resources email me [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

GOT AIRBAG NOTICE IN MAIL 2019 TOOK MY CAR TO WORLD WIDE BMW NANUET NY DEALER MARCH 23 2019 TOLD ME MY AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS NOT ON THE LIST OF BEING REPLACED MINED YOU MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON WELL BEFORE TAKING IT TO BMW DEALER AND TODAY IS STILL ON I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE AND WHAT CAN I DO TO HAVE IT CORRECTED THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME OVER 2,000 TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG MODULE

IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE IT WAS PARKED ENGINE WAS ALSO OFF!

TAKATA RECALL I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR NOTICED WHEN I STARTED IT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG AREA I IMMEDIATELY SHUT IT OFF BUT THERE WAS SMOKE STILL COMING AND GETTING THICKER I IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH 911 AND NOTICED FLAMES .FIRE TRUCK SHOWED UP PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT THE WHOLE FRONT AIR BAG AREA AND GLOVE BOX WAS PRETTY BAD

IN 2001 I HAD A RECALL FOR THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED THEN IN 2007 ELECTRIC COOLING FAN GOES OUT AGAIN, THEN IN 2011 THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN GOES OUT AGAIN, THEN IN 2018 THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN GOES OUT AGAIN OVERHEAT AND BLOWS THE HEAD GASKET WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM LAS VEGAS IN GILROY CALIFORNIA ???

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V173000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PLAZA BMW (11858 OLIVE BLVD, CREVE COEUR, MO) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED; HOWEVER, THE VIN HAD NO OPEN RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS UNDER THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

TAKATA RECALL. MY VEHICLES LOCK CYLINDER IS STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION. I HAD JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR RECENTLY AND WHEN I BOUGHT A NEW KEY THE LOCK CYLINDER PUT THE CAR INTO DEADLOCK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

WHEN DRIVING MY 2001 BMW X5 ON ICE, SOFT DIRT ROAD, SLUSH, (ICE WITH PAVEMENT) THE CAR FISHTAILS IN THE REAR. I HAD BRAND NEW WINTER TIRES PUT ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS JUST ALIGNED. I HAD 4 DIFFERENT MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIGURE IT OUT. PLEASE HELP.

THE TAIL LIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES AND THE SIGNAL ON BOTH SIZE IN THE REAR DO NOT WORK THE SIGNAL ON THE RIGHT SIDE ON THE FRONT DOES NOT WORK . I HAVE CHANGE ALL THE FUSES IN ALL THE LIGHTBULBS BUT CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE

2001 BMW X5 4.4I CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE PARKED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT.

PARKED X5 AT A ACE HARDWARE STORE, A PERSON CAME RUNNING IN SAYING A CAR WAS ON FIRE! IT WAS MY X5 IN GLEN ELLEN IL TOTAL LOSS ALLSTATE INSURANCE CLAIM #0158238170KR.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. ..UPDATED 06/21/17 *BF *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE DRIVER COASTED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER AND THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC POTENTIALLY LOCATED A FAILURE WITH THE STEERING COLUMN SPINDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, A COYOTE JUMPED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO VOID A CRASH AND SWERVED CAUSING AN UNKNOWN REAR WHEEL TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN FLIPPED OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND CRASHED UPSIDE DOWN INTO THE SIDE OF A RESIDENTIAL HOME. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT WHO WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN THE IMPACT OCCURRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INTERNAL BRUISING THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

SEATS HAVE HEAT CONTROL L OPTION N. DRIVERS SIDE GETS TOO HOT AND BURNS DRIVER CREATING A BURN HOLE ON THE SEAT.

MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT OCCURRING. I CONTACTED BMWS CORPORATE OFFICES. THEY HAD ME TAKE IT IN TO BMW OF DALLAS SO THEY COULD SEE WHAT CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION. NO SATISFACTORY RESOLVE WAS ACHIEVED. THEY DID NOT FIX THE MALFUNCTIONED EQUIPMENT. THEY GAVE ME MY VEHICLE BACK WITH MALFUNCTIONED AIRBAG UNFIXED. I AM APPALLED BY THERE LACK OF CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY. *BF CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD A HEAD TRAUMA. UPDATED 7/3/18*JB *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INFLATED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAGS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SENT TECHNICIANS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

I HAVE TAIL BREAK LIGHT ON WEN I DRIVE ALL TIME.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE BOTH BRAKE LIGHT BULBS AND HOLDERS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT WITHIN THE BRAKE LIGHT SYSTEM AND BOTH WIRING HARNESSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

04/30/16 I BOUGHT THE SUV LAS MONTH AND HAVE EVERY THING ORIGINAL EVERY THING WAS FINE UNTIL TODAY IT CAUGHT ON FIRE ON THE PASENGER SIDE UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT A 30 MIN AFTER PARKING IT ON THE DRIVE WAY I HEAR THE ALARM AND SAW ALOT OF SMOG COMING FROM THE TRUCK AT SOON AS I OPEN THE DOOR.

AUXILIARY COOLING FAN BEGAN BEGAN SMOKING AND SMOLDERING AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES AFTER BEING PARKED AT HOME. VERY NEARLY A FIRE. PART WAS ON RECALL PREVIOUSLY AND EXCHANGED BUT THEN RECALLED AGAIN AS THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART WAS USED AS REPLACEMENT DURING INITAL RECALL. MY VEHICLE WASN'T PART OF INITIAL RECALL DUE TO PRODUCTION DATE, AS MINE WAS PRODUCED 8/2000, BUT WAS STATED IN THE SECOND RECALL TO BE INCLUDED IF IT HAD THE DEFECTIVE PART. WENT TO BMW AND THEY STATED THERE WASN'T AN OPEN RECALL AND COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I SHOWED THEM THE ACTUAL RECALL CAMPAIGNS DOWNLOADED FROM THE WEB AND THEY REFUSED TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER STATING THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS THE ONLY FACTOR TO DETERMINE IF A RECALL WAS WARRANTED AND THERE WASN'T AN 'OPEN' RECALL. I STATED THAT THIS MAY BE DUE TO RECALLS REMAINING OPEN FOR 15 YEARS AND THIS HAPPENED IN 2001 AND THEY STATED IT WAS IRRELEVANT SINCE NO OPEN CAMPAIGNS EXISTED. THE PART ON MY VEHICLE IS 64 54 6908 124 (E53) WHICH IS CLEARLY THE DEFECTIVE PART STATED AS PART OF THE RECALL, IN BMW'S AFTERSALES AND PARTS BULLETIN AS WELL. BMW SERVICE CONTINUES TO REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR REPAIR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. WITHOUT WARNING, THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY FAN FAILED AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE RADIATOR AND ENGINE DAMAGE. THE RADIATOR WAS EXTREMELY HOT DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO MADE SEVERAL UNKNOWN REPAIRS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT COMPLETELY STOPPING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 03V001000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), 02V194000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), 01V197000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), 02V138000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), AND 01V206000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,060.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 BMW X5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, SMOKE ENTERED INTO THE VEHICLE AND BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. SHORTLY AFTER THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, IT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TURNED ON WHEN I HAD A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD GO OFF AFTER A FEW START CYCLES WITH NO PASSENGERS, BUT THEN COME BACK ON THE NEXT TIME A PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I WAS ABLE TO READ THE CODES WHICH INDIRECTLY INDICATED A FAULT IN THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I REPLACED THE SENSOR MAT AND RELATED WIRING INTERFACE AND THE WARNING LIGHT AND ERRORS HAVE NOT RETURNED. THERE ARE MANY OWNERS GROUPS THAT DISCUSS THE APPARENT HIGH FAILURE RATE OF THESE OCCUPANCY SENSOR MATS AND WE HAVE NOTED THAT MORE RECENT X5 MODELS WERE RECALLED, BUT THAT EARLIER MODELS WERE NOT. I SUSPECT THAT THE EARLIER MODELS HAVE THE SAME - OR A RELATED - PROBLEM. *TR

THIS VEHICLE HAS THE 4.4 LITER V8 ENGINE. DRIVING ON A COLD MORNING (ABOUT 15 F) THE CCV (CRANK CASE VENTILATION) SYSTEM APPEARS TO HAVE FROZEN IN A MANNER THAT LEAD TO THE INTAKE SUCKING ENGINE OIL DIRECTLY INTO THE INTAKE AND TRYING TO COMBUST IT. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO BILLOW SMOKE. I WAS ABLE TO LEAVE TRAFFIC AND SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN BEFORE THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED. TOTAL REPAIRS (PARTS AND LABOR) COST ABOUT $1000. THIS FAILURE SEEMS TO HAPPEN FREQUENTLY TO X5 ENGINES AND THE LOCAL MECHANICS ALREADY SEEM TO KNOW THAT AN X5 BILLOWING SMOKE IS PROBABLY THE CCV FREEZE-UP PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC I CALLED FROM THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ACCURATELY DIAGNOSED THIS OVER THE PHONE. THE OWNER GROUPS ARE FULL OF REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT CCV FREEZE-UP. BMW SEEMS TO BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS THERE ARE REPORTS OF OWNERS WITH NEWER MODELS BEING GIVEN DISCOUNTED REPAIRS. FOR SOME 6-CYLINDER MODEL ENGINES AN INSULATED "COLD WEATHER" VERSION OF THE AFFECTED PARTS IS AVAILABLE AND IS SUGGESTED FOR THOSE THAT COMPLAIN ABOUT THE FAILURE AND FOR SOME V8 ENGINES AN EVEN HARDER TO FIND "HOSE HEATER" KIT IS AVAILABLE, BUT NOT WELL KNOWN EVEN TO THE DEALERS (I FOUND THE PART NUMBERS ONLINE AFTER BEING TURNED AWAY BY TWO DEALERS WHO SAID SUCH PARTS DON'T EXIST). THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND BILLOWING SMOKE SEEMS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. DRAWING SUBSTANTIAL QUANTITIES OF ENGINE OIL INTO THE INTAKE AND COMBUSTION PATH SEEMS TO DEFEAT THE PURPOSE OF THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM OVERALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE IGNITION, THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE. A CHIME SOUNDED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND THE 'TRANSMISSION FAIL-SAFE PROG. WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD EXHIBIT HESITATION WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE ENGINE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. A TROUBLE CODE DETECTED A MALFUNCTION WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 01V196000 (POWER TRAIN), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO SHUT OFF AND THE ABS WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, BLACK SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS COMPLETELY MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A CONSTANT ILLUMINATION OF THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THAT THE TACHOMETER WAS FAULTY AND DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I WAS AT A INTERSECTION TO A HIGH WAY, ABOUT TO MERGE IN TO ON COMING TRAFFIC, WHEN I HIT THE GAS TO ACCELERATE THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT GOING TO THE TRANSFER CASE STRIPPED, ALONG WITH THE TRANSAXLE GEAR. THE CAR STOP DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND WOULD NOT MOVE. *TR

TODAY I BROUGHT MY BMW X5 TO DEALER BECAUSE THE WARNING LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. DEALER SAID THAT THE BULB HOLDER HAD FAILED BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE HEAT MELTING THE BULB HOLDER. LAST SEPTEMBER, I HAD A NEW BULB HOLDER ASSEMBLY REPLACED FOR THE REAR TURN SIGNAL AFTER THE SAME WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE DEVICE FAILED BECAUSE OF EXCESS HEAT, MELTING THE BULB ASSEMBLY. THESE WOULD SEEM TO BE RELATED PROBLEMS AND SAFETY ISSUES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT JUMPED UP FROM THE SEAT AND HIT HIS HEAD ON THE CEILING, CAUSING HIM TO BECOME DIZZY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A BMW DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER FOR THE SEAT BECAME VERY HOT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000. 8/6/12 *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE AUXILIARY FAN WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE FUSE FOR THE FAN AND THE FUSE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 01V206000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN) OR 02V138000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,177.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, A WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, INDICATING THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT HOUSING WAS BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,068.

FAILURE OF DRIVER SEAT HEATING MECHANISM. HOLE BURNED IN BOTTOM SEAT CUSHION AND BURN TO OCCUPANT'S (ME) LEG. THIS APPEARS TO BE DUE TO A SHORT OR BREAK IN THE HEATING ELEMENT. ON-LINE RESEARCH I'VE DONE INDICATES THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE WILL REV, BUT WILL NOT MOVE WHEN GOING IN REVERSE UP A HILL WITHOUT GETTING A PUSH. THE VEHICLE WORKS IN REVERSE AT ANY OTHER TIME. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.RL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNTIL CRASHING INTO A HOUSE. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL TO TREAT INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WOULD MOMENTARILY SURGE FORWARD WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD BEGIN TO ILLUMINATE AND IT WOULD TAKE A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED MANY TIMES FOR THIS FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD BECOME INOPERABLE INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING A LOSS OF VISIBILITY. THE DEALER MADE FOUR ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST NINE YEARS BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE OIL SEPARATOR FRACTURED AND CAUSED OIL TO SPRAY OVER ALL COMPONENTS UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE OIL SEPARATOR, VALVE COVER GASKET AND THE VALVE COVER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER ALSO INSTALLED A CRANK CASE VENTILATION BLANKET IN ORDER TO KEEP IT WARM. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. AFTER SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAIL SAFE CODE HAD APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 01V196000 POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 164000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. SHE ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUOUSLY IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 66,500.

VEHICLE ELECTRIC WINDOWS STICK FULL OPEN AND CANNOT CLOSE. I BOUGHT THE BMW X5 4.4I NEW IN 2001, I STILL OWN THE VEHICLE, AND THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES SINCE NEW (2004, 2005, 2006, 2010). EACH TIME IT RENDERS THE VEHICLE UNUSABLE SINCE IT CANNOT BE SECURED AND LEFT UNATTENDED. THE WINDOW MOTOR REGULATOR WAS REPLACED TWICE UNDER WARRANTY AND TWICE I HAD TO PAY. THIS SHOULD NOT EVEN HAPPEN ONCE! *TR

THIS IS A SAFETY COMPLAINT ON THE 2001 BMW X5. THERE ARE SEVERAL DEFECT, SAFETY REPORTS ON THE VEHICLE AT THIS WEBSITE. *TR

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.

DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE WITH SIXTY DAYS, WHICH CAUSED THE WINDOWS TO BECOME STUCK IN THE DOWN POSTION. IN BOTH OCCASIONS, KNAUZ BMW DEALERSHIP REPLACED REGULATOR AND MOTOR . TO DATE, THE MANUFACTURER BMW HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE, LAST FAILURE AND REPAIR MILEAGE WAS 78,089 . *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2001 BMW X5 LAST SATURDAY... 7 DAYS LATER, I GOT THE NO REVERSE PROBLEM THAT I AM NOW HEARING IS TYPICAL IN BMWS. IT JUST WENT OUT. LUCKILY THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM WAS NICE ENOUGH TO TAKE THE CAR BACK. THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO AS IT WAS USED. OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT $5,000. THIS CAR HAD 107K MILES ON IT. BMW NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM AND CORRECT IT AT THEIR EXPENSE. THIS IS WRONG. *TR

I OWN A 2001 BMW X5. THE CAR IS IN WORKING CONDITION, REPAIRED AND MAINTAINED AS NEEDED. THE AUTOMOBILE NO LONGER GOES IN REVERSE AT 91,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT. I HEAR THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW'S. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS THE ZF5HP19 OR STEPTRONIC TRANSMISSION. IT IS A FAILURE OF THE D-G CLUTCH DRUM. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE PERSON DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND FOR EVERYONE AROUND THE VEHICLE. *TR

2001 BMW X5 TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NO REVERSE, JUST WENT OUT NO WARNING, AT LOW MILEAGE, FOUND THIS WAS COMMON TO COMMON ALSO FOUND OUT REPAIR PARTS ARE UPGRADED BY BMW, BUT BMW WONT ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEIR ARE PAGE AFTER PAGE OR REPORTS, BMW ALSO WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIR, AVERAGE ESTIMATE IS $4500.00. IF BMW DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THE INFERIOR PART, THEN WHY DID THEY UPGRADE THE REPAIR PART, MY VEHICLE IS DOWN NOW BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO FUND THIS REPAIR, I HAVE A NINE YEAR OLD AND AN EIGHTY FOUR YEAR OLD DEPENDING ON THIS TRANSPORTATION, AND DUE TO THE DEATH OF MY MOTHER ON THE 03/09/2009 AND HAVING TO MOVE MY FATHER FROM OKLAHOMA TO CALIFORNIA MY MONEY IS IN A NEGATIVE, THIS FAILURE HAS REALLY PLACE A HARDSHIP ON US. *TR

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

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.

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

2001 BMW X5 4.4L - 80.K MILES (MAINTAINED AS INSTRUCTED BY DEALER) REVERSE HAS GONE OUT. SEEMS NUMEROUS FORUMS REPEAT THE SAME PROBLEMS OVER & OVER AGAIN. BMW &/OR TRANSMISSION SUPPLIER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AS IT SEEMS THIS HAPPENS MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. REPAIR COST B/T $$$5-7K. MERRY CHRISTMAS..... *TR

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

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

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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER WINDOW DEVICES WERE INOPERATIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE WINDOWS TO SPORADICALLY BECOME STUCK IN THE UP OR DOWN POSITION. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE REGULATOR AND THE MOTOR. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WILL NOT ASSUME ANY FINANCIAL LIABILITY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS EXCEEDED ITS WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 7/3/08 *CN UPDATED 07/03/08

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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

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

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

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

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

THE COOLING FAN BEGAN TURNING ON AND BLOW AT MAXIMUM POWER BY ITSELF. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I WAS NOT UNTIL WE TALKED WITH A ANOTHER PERSON WHO ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, THAT WE FOUND IT THERE WAS A RECALL BY BMW. WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (IN BUENA PARK,CA) AND WAS TOLD THAT WE HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE WE WAITED TO LONG TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN! REMEMBER - NEITHER SAVAGE BMW NOR BMW NORTH AMERICA NOTIFIED US ABOUT THE DEFECT! SO WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO REIMBURSE US. *NM

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE LIKE A ROCKET. CONSUMER SUSTAINED BURNS VEHICLE CRASHED INTO WALL. *AK THE CONSUMER RECEIVED BURNS ON RIGHT FROM BLACK POWDER UNKNOWN FROM WHERE IT ORIGINATED FROM. HAND WAS NEAR THE CRUISE CONTROL. *TC

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

STEERING COLUMN BINDS WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING WITHIN SPECS. *NM

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

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART BUT WAS UNABLE TO START. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON THEN OFF. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING NOISE NEAR THE FRONT LEFT AREA. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING LOOSE IN THE FRONT END. *AK

THE CONSUMER PARKED AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER TURNED AROUND AND NOTICED SMOKING COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER THEN RE-ENTER THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THIS RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER HAVING A CONTUSION, EYE ABRASION AND 2 DISC IN THEIR NECK. *MR

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, CONSUMER STARTED UP THE VEHICLE, AND IT DID NOT NOT MOVE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC PLACED THE VEHICLE ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. MECHANIC COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

2001 BMW X5 4.4I V8 ENGINE HAS A DEFECTIVE OIL SEPARATOR. THIS DEVICE IS DESIGNED TO RELEASE INTERNAL ENGINE PRESSURE. IN COLD CLIMATES THE UNIT FREEZE'S UP AND DOES NOT RELEASE PRESSURE. THE RESULT IS THE ENGINE OIL COMES OUT THE TOP SIDE ENGINE OIL CAP AND/OR THE DIPSTICK. THIS CAUSES A VERY HIGH POTENTIAL FIRE RISK AS WELL AS A COMPLETE ENGINE SIEZE CONDITION FROM LOSS OF OIL. WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO ME THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS -14 F AND IF MY FREIND DID NOT HAVE HIS VEHICLE CLOSE BY, MY FAMILY WOUILD HAVE FROZE.*AK

2001 AND LATER BMW X5'S HAVE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE OIL SEPARATOR FREEZING IN VERY COLD WEATHER, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SIEZE SUDDENLY. THIS IS A MAJOIR ISSUE BMW NEEDS TO RECALL!!!

I TOOK DELIVERY OF MY NEW X5 4.4, ON AUGUST 28, 2000. THERE WERE LIGHT BROWN SPOTS ON THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. BECAUSE OF THE LATE HOUR IN THE EVENING, I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD BRING THE CAR BACK AT MY CONVENIENCE TO BE CLEANED. I DID THIS AND MANY OF THE SPOTS WERE REMOVED. UNFORTUNATELY THE SPOTS BETWEEN THE PANELS COULD NOT BE REMOVED. I TRIED TO HAVE THE CAR PRIVATELY DETAILED (AS I USUALLY DO) AND THE DETAILER SAID THAT HE COULD NOT GET BETWEEN THE PANELS TO REMOVE ALL OF THE SPOTS. THE ORIGINAL SPOTS WERE GONE ON MOST OF THE CAR, AND NEW SPOTS APPEARED. THIS HAS BEEN A CRONIC PROBLEM. THE SPOTS CAN FOR THE MOST PART BE REMOVED, BUT THEY DO COME BACK AND IF THEY ARE NOT REMOVED THEY GROW LARGER AND IN SOME CASES DARKER. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS SENT THE REGIONAL REP TO LOOK AT MY CAR AND HE (STEVE) DEEMED IT AND EXTERNAL FACTOR. POSSIBLY ROAD TAR. IT WAS DELIVERED TO ME WITH SPOTS, AND THERE WERE SPOTS EVERYWHERE ON THE VEHICLE. MOST ARE REMOVABLE, BUT THEY COME BACK AND GROW. RANGE ROVER HAD A RUST PROBLEM ON THEIR VEHICLES AND THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THEY REPLACED THE VEHICLE. BMW IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM. PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YOU HAVE A SIMILAR DEFECT ON YOUR BMW (JSB3@ATTBI.COM)

STEERING COLUMN WAS REPAIRED FIVE TIMES DUE TO STEERING STICKING OR BINDING IN POSITION.*AK *MR

FRONT TURN SIGNAL SOCKET FAILURE. FIRST THE RIGHT SIDE FAILED, THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER THE LEFT. DEALER SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE UNITS SHOULD BE REPLACED VIA RECALL ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES SINCE THIS IS A LEGALLY REQUIRED SAFETY FEATURE. *LA

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT REAR BRAKE LIGHTS STAYING ON ALL THE TIME. BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON ,AND CONSUMER WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED THREE TIMES.MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM, BUT WILL STILL TRY TO FIND IT. *AK *TS

CONSUMER STATED HER VEHICLE HAS CAUGHT FIRE TWICE, AND IT LOCKED HER INSIDE. SHE ALSO STATED THAT HER AUX. FAN WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRES. SHE STATED THE FAN WAS CHANGED 4 TIMES. IT WAS TOLD TO HER AND HER HUSBAND THAT THESE WERE ELECTRICAL FIRES. SHE STATED THAT SHE HAD AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE CUSTOMER SVC REP OF BMW, AND THEIR SVC REP THE FOLLOWING WEEK TO TRY TO FIX HER VEHICLE. *PH

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. SUCH AS RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT AND VEHICLE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THIER NOT STOPPING, LEFT TURN SIGNAL FAST, STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T EXTEND FULLY, DURING WINTER MONTHS THE FRONT AND REAR THERMOSTAT DO NOT WORK. DOOR HANDLES FREEZES. *AK

ABS BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING A NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN BRAKING. ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN FIXED BY THE DEALER. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, A SPRING FELL OUT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AREA. *JB

NAR 04/28/2003. MR IN THE COLD WEATHER THE DOOR FREEZES UP MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SECURE THE DOOR SHUT. *CB

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE STEP LADDER IS ELECTRONIC. IT PROVIDES THE MOTION TO THE VEHICLE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL # 03 V 001 000. REGARDING THE BRAKE LINE. *JB

THE WIRE HARNESS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. *JB

THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED.*JB

DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED. I FIRST NOTICED A BURNING ODOR AND ULTIMATELY FOUND 2 SCORCH MARKS IN THE LEATHER...1 ON EACH SIDE OF THE SEAT BACK NEAR THE BASE. THE MARKS WERE DARK BROWN AND HARD (FROM THE DRIED LEATHER). *JB

VEHICLE WAS "TOTALED" DUE TO A COLLISION, BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE OF CONSUMER'S CAR. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40-50MPH AT TIME OF IMPACT. PASSENGER "SIDE AIR BAG" DID NOT DEPLOY. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER'S FRONT, SIDE AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH, CONSUMER WAS EXITING. THE STEERING WHEEL FREE WHEELED WITH VEHICLE CONTINUING FORWARD. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT THE DEALERSHIP KEPT LUBRICATING THE WHEELS. TS

EXTERNAL MIRRORS WILL INTERMITTANTLY WONDER IN ANY DIRECTION AT ANY SPEED. BMW CAN NOT FIX THEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. DT

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL. VEHICLE WILL STALL ON THE HIGHWAY, AND CONSUMER FEELS HER FAMILY IS NOT SAFE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION. TS

CONSUMER STATES WHILE IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTANTLY ACCELERATED AND RESULTING INTO A VEHICLE COLLISION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFED . VEHICLE WAS ALSO INSPECTED BY THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASION PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

CONSUMER STATES A PROBLEM EXISTED WHERE THE VEHCLE WOULD SUDDENLY CUT OFF WHEN IN A TURN AND WHEN FIRST STARTING. THE FAN BLOWER MOTOR AND THE COOLANT THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT IMPROPER HEATER OPERATION. *TT

CONSUMER STATES BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED TO CORRECT EXCESSIVE NOISE LEVELS. *TT

CONSUMER STATES THE A/C BLOWER HAD TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT SPEED FLUCTUATIONS. *TT

CONSUMER STATES A PROBLEM EXISTED WHERE THE SEAL ON THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT

CONSUMER STATES BOTH FRONT DOOR HANDLES HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WEARING. *TT

CONSUMER STATES BOTH FUEL SENSORS WERE REPLACED TO CORRECT FALSE READINGS. *TT

RECALL ON ENGINE COOLING FAN WAS DONE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO DEALER 4 TIMES BECAUSE OF STALLING AND SMOKING. DEALER UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

DSC, BRAKES, ABS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON. VEHICLE LOSES POWER, ENTERS LIMP MODE.

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THEN SAW THAT HATCBACK WINDOW HAS SHATTERED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

TRANSMISSION CHIP KEEPS FAILING, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO LOOSE FIRST, SECOND THE FIFTH GEARS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK *SCC

QUOTE FROM DEALER'S REPAIR NOTES: "DRIVERS HEATED SEAT BECAME VERY HOT, BURNING ODER IN VEHICLE, BACK OF SEAT WAS VERY HOT AND LEATHER WAS BURNED". WIFE WAS DRIVING AT TIME. SEAT WAS VERY HOT TO TOUCH,SHE HAD SKIN BURN SENSATION. WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER SIMILAR FAILURES, AND WERE FORTUNATE THAT SITUATION WAS NOT WORSE BUT FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT BMW SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED THIS PROACTIVELY, NOT ON THE AD-HOC BASIS THAT SEEMS TO BE ITS POLICY.*AK

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS RATTLE WHEN GOING UP DUE TO WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE. *YH

THE LEFT REAR DOOR LATCH AND HANDLE WAS NOT CATCHING WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED, ALSO THE RIGHT FRONT SQUEAKS, AND THE TRUNK LID LOCKED BY ITSELF. *YH

CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INOPERATIVE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT.*YH

CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INOPERATIVE. *YH

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE MAKING TURNS. *YH

CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE SITS OVERNIGHT, AND THEN IS TUNRED ON THE NEXT MORNING, THE AIR CONDITION COMES ON BY ITSELF.*YH

CONSUMER STATED THE RADIO BUTTONS STICK.*YH

CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LINING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DUE TO THE REAR BRAKES BEING WORN, ALSO THE FRONT PADS WERE REPLACED.*YH

CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM MAKES NOISE. *YH

COOLANT LEVEL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE THERMOSTAT. *YH

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SUNROOF HEADLINER WAS VERY LOOSE. *YH

THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS FROM SECURELY PARKED PLACE AND STRUCK PARKED VEHICLES DUE TO PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. *YH

DRIVING ON THE EXIT RAMP FROM FDR DRIVE TO THE 49TH STREET EXIT, WHEN SUDDENLY... ALL AIR BAGS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BEGAN TO POP. FRONT, REAR, 5 IN ALL. NO ACCIDENT. DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. NO APPARENT/OBVIOUS REASON. CAR GROUND TO A HALT; WILL NOT MOVE - RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. CAR WAS PUSHED ASIDE TO ALLOW OTHERS TO PASS. CONTACTED BMW ROAD ASSISTANCE. CAR WAS TOWED TO BMW OF MANHATTAN. THEY ARE LOOKING IT OVER, AND WILL TELL ME THEIR FINDINGS. CURSORY INSPECTIONS SUGGESTS NOTHING COULD HAVE CAUSED IT. NO SCRATCHES, NO BUMPS, NO NICKS, NO NOTHING! ARRRRRGH! NLM

THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR IS SUPPOSED TO TILT DOWNWARD WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN REVERSE, TO AID THE DRIVER IN BACKUP OF THE CAR. WHEN THE CAR IS PLACED IN FORWARD GEAR, THE MIRROR IS SUPPOSED TO MOVE IN THE FORWARD DRIVING DIRECTION. THE PROBLEM IS THAT EITHER THE RIGHT MIRROR DOES NOT MOVE BACK TO THE FRONT DRIVING POSITION AND/OR THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR ALSO MOVES, WHEN IT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO AT ALL. THUS, YOU MUST THEN USE THE BUTTONS TO ADJUST EACH MIRROR WHEN YOU TRY TO DRIVE FORWARD. SOMETIMES YOU FORGET TO DO THIS AND DRIVE FORWARD AND REALIZE ONCE IN THE STREAM OF TRAFFIC, THE MIRROR(S) ARE IN A DANGEROUS POSITION BECAUSE THEY DON'T LET YOU SEE BEHIND YOU. THIS IS ESPECIALLY HARD IN PARALLEL PARKING IN TRAFFIC. BMW HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM IN ITS CARS FOR 18 MONTHS AS SHOWN IN THEIR PRINTOUT TO ME. THE DEALER SAID AT LEAST 10 OF THEIR CARS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND BMW DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT AFTER 18 MONTHS. BMW SAID THEY COULD TOTALLY DEACTIVATE THE MIRRORS, BUT THEN THEY COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED FOR A DRIVER OF DIFFERENT HEIGHT, ALSO LEADING TO A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WROTE THE PRESIDENT OF BMW AND THEY SAID THEY ARE LOOKING INTO IT, BUT AFTER 18 MONTHS, THEY EITHER CAN'T FIX IT OR WON'T SPEND THE MONEY TO FIND OUT HOW TO FIX IT.*AK

THER VEHICLE CANNOT BE SAFE IN ICY CONDITION BECAUSE SNOW CHAINS CANNOT BE FITTED ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

FAILS TO START AFTTER MULTIPLE STOPS AND HOT ENGINE ON SEVERAL OCCATIONS EVEN AFTER TWO REPAIR AT SEATTLE BMW DEALER. FAILURE LAST FROM 2 -40 MINUTES WITH MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO START. TAILGATE REMOTE LOCATED "ON KEY" OPENS TAILGATE AT TOUCH ATTEMPT TO START OR BUNP ON KEY. LETTER TO BMW DATED 1/6/02*AK

RECALL 01 V 206 003/ENGINE AUXILIARY COOLING FAN: UNABLE TO GET DEALER ; GLOBAL IMPORT; ATLANTA, GA; PHONE# 770/951-9382 TO HONOR RECALL, PARTS WERE UNAVAILBLE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

CONSUMER HAD JUST GOTTEN OUT OF VEHICLE WHEN FRONT END WAS SMOKING/SPARKS FLYING, AND ASHES COMING FROM ENGINE. DEALER DIAGNOSED AUXILLARY FAN AS THE CAUSE. VEHICLE WAS PART OF RECALL 01V20600, BUT CONSUMER DID NOT RECEIVE A NOTICE. *AK

TIRES WERE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. DEALER NOTICED REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM WAS BENT, CAUSING TIRES TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. DEALER REPLACED PART.*AK

MY AUX FAN IS NOT PART OF BMW'S CURRENT RECALL DUE TO FIRES HOWEVER, I DO HAVE THE "BAD" FAN AND IT IS SCHEDLUED TO BE REPLACED AS SOON AS THEY CAN GET A PART. MY CONCERN IS THAT BMW HAS NOT EXPANDED THE RECALL TO INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES WITH THE BAD FAN THAT STARTS FIRES UNDER THE HOOD.*AK

FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL PUMP SEAL INTO PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT AND OUTSIDE . PRIOR TO THE PROBLEM, DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP. SINCE THEN, DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE AND REPLACED FUEL TANK. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

THE VEHICLE LOOSES ALL POWER TO TRANSMISSION AND GOES INTO A NEUTRAL STATE CAUSING SUDDEN STOP ON ACCELERATION, THIS POSES A THREAT WHILE PASSING VEHICLES OR TURNING OUT NOT THE HIGHWAY. NLM

RADIATOR FAN HAD SHORTED OUT AND CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING 60MPH. AFTER STOPPING, HAD NOTICED SMOKE. ELECTRICAL WIRES TO RADIATOR FAN HAD MELTED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC INDICATED TO OWNER A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS LISTED FOR VEHICLE.*AK

COOLING FAN COMES ON AND OFF WHEN ENGINE GETS TO A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE. ALSO, IF TEMPERATURE GETS TOO HOT VEHICLE CAN CATCH ON FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER AND DEALER STATED FAN WAS DEFECTIVE, BUT DID NOT HAVE SWITCH TO REPLACE. *AK *JB

ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON, BRAKING ACTION NORMAL. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. VEHICLE AT DEALER SINCE 25 MAR 2001.*AK

MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BOTH EXPERIENCED TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WITH OUR BRAND NEW BMW X5. I EXPERIENCED THE BRAKE FAILURE TWO AND A HALF WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO VOB BMW FOR WORK. VOB SAID THEY NEVER FOUND ANY PROBLEM, AND CLAIMED TO HAVE REPLACED THE HYDRALIC SYSTEM. THEY HAD THE CAR FOR 14 DAYS. WE PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON A MARCH 15TH. THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN, WITH MY HUSBAND DRIVING ON THE 17TH. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO VOB, WHERE IT IS STILL SITTING TODAY 4/2/01. BOTH BRAKE FAILURES WERE SIMULAR. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE BOTH DRIVING ON DRY PAVEMENT. IT WAS SHORTLY AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE ON, AND WE WERE BOTH DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED (APPROX. 35 MPH). NEITHER OF US WERE DOING HARD BREAKING, RATHER JUST TYING TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. UPON PRESSING ON THE BRAKE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DIRECTLY TO THE FLOOR IN BOTH CASES. THE DEALERSHIP STILL CLAIMS THEY CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FURTHER. WE HAVE SENT NUMEROUS CERTIFIED LETTERS TO THE MANUFACTURER, AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. I JUST FOUND OUT TODAY, THAT THIS SAME SITUATION ACCOURED TO A DR. LIVING IN THE COLUMBIA MD AREA. HE WAS ISSUED A NEW VEHICLE FROM HIS DEALER. MY HUSBAND AND I ASSUMED WE HAD A LEMON ON OUR HAND, HOWEVER, NOW AFTER LEARNING OF THIS OTHER INCIDENCE I HAVE TO WANDER HOW MANY OTHERS THIS HAS HAPPENED TO.

IT TOOK 11 DAYS FOR BMW TO INFORM ME OF A SAFETY-RELATED RECALL (BETWEEN THE TIME RECALL APPEARED IN THE LOCAL PAPER (JAN. 31) AND NOTIFICATION I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL (FEB. 10). BMW SHOULD BE APPROPRIATELY "PUNISHED" FOR THIS INDIFFERENT ATTITUDE TO PUBLIC SAFETY. THANK YOU. P.S. THERE SHOULD BE A REQUIREMENT TO PUT AN EXACT MAILING DATE ON THESE RECALL LETTERS. DR. CETINGOK. *AK

ENGINE WILL STALL AT LOW SPEEDS. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS DANGEROUS ON HIGHWAY, BECAUSE HAS TO STOP CAR TO START IT AGAIN. *AK

FRONT DOORS LOCK OCCUPANTS INSIDE OF VEHICLE AND CANNOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. OCCUPANTS MUST CRAWL OUT OF REAR OF VEHICLE TO EXIT. DOOR LOCKS APPEAR TO UNLOCK, AND HANDLES PULL, BUT THERE IS NO UNLOCKING OR RELEASE OF THE DOOR LATCH. *AK

BMW HAS A STALLING PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2001 3.0 LITER ENGINES ESPECIALY IN THE X5 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE. SUPPOSEDLY THERE IS A MODIFICATION TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM (WHICH OUR VEHICLE HAS HAD) BUT OUR VEHICLE STILL STALLS. I KNOW WE ARE NOT THE ONLY OWNERS WHO HAVE MADE THIS COMPLAINT. MAYBE A RECALL IS IN ORDER!*AK

THE NEW BMW X5 HAS DANGEROUSLY DESIGNED FRONT DOORS. THE JAMB OF THE DOOR SWEEPS BACK TO A VERY SHARP METAL POINT. WHEN YOU OPEN OR CLOSE THE DOOR, THE TOP CAN STRIKE YOU IN THE HEAD CAUSING INJURY. THIS IS BECAUSE WHEN YOU GRAB THE HANDLE, YOU DON'T REALIZE THAT THE TOP SWEEPS FURTHER BACK NEARER YOUR HEAD. I HAD POKED MY EYELID ON AUGUST 14TH AND CALLED BMW. I NOW HAVE SEVERELY INJURED MY EAR, GETTING 11 STICHES. I CALLED BMW ON 10/13/00 TO FILE ANOTHER REPORT. IF ONE IS SIX FEET TALL, THIS CAR WILL INJURE THEM.

THE NEW BMW X5 HAS DANGEROUSLY DESIGNED FRONT DOORS. THE JAMB OF THE DOOR SWEEPS BACK TO A VERY SHARP METAL POINT. WHEN YOU OPEN OR CLOSE THE DOOR, THE TOP CAN STRIKE YOU IN THE HEAD CAUSING INJURY. THIS IS BECAUSE WHEN YOU GRAB THE HANDLE, YOU DON'T REALIZE THAT THE TOP SWEEPS FURTHER BACK NEARER YOUR HEAD. I HAD POKED MY EYELID ON AUGUST 14TH AND CALLED BMW. I NOW HAVE SEVERELY INJURED MY EAR, GETTING 11 STICHES. I CALLED BMW ON 10/13/00 TO FILE ANOTHER REPORT. IF ONE IS SIX FEET TALL, THIS CAR WILL INJURE THEM.*AK

THE BRAND NEW X5 HAS DANGEROUSLY DESIGNED FRONT DOORS. THE JAMB OF THE DOOR SWEEPS BACK TO A VERY SHARP METAL POINT. WHEN YOU OPEN OR CLOSE THE DOOR, THE TOP CAN STRIKE YOU IN THE HEAD CAUSING INJURY. THIS IS BECAUSE WHEN YOU GRAB THE HANDLE YOU DON'T REALIZE THAT THE TOP SWEEPS FURTHER BACK NEAR YOUR HEAD. I HAD POKED MY EYELID ON AUGUST 14TH AND CALLED BMW. I NOW HAVE SEVERELY INJURED MY EAR. GETTING 11 STICHES. I CALLED BMW ON 10/13/00 TO FILE ANOTHER REPORT. IF ONE IS SIX FEET TALL, THIS CAR WILL INJURE THEM. *AK *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*734326