2002 BMW 5 SERIES — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

10

Owner Complaints

2 Crashes 3 Fires

2

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

4

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2002 BMW 5 SERIES

The 2002 BMW 5 SERIES has received a total of 10 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN. 4 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (1 complaint), Engine And Engine Coolingengine (1 complaint), and Equipment Adaptivemobility (1 complaint).

Recalls for the 2002 BMW 5 SERIES

NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2002 BMW 5 SERIES, potentially affecting up to 1,199 vehicles.

Recall 19E058000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING

| 614 vehicles affected

Defect: ZF Group North America Operations (ZF) is recalling certain Lemförder Steering Center Rods sold as aftermarket parts for 1996-2004 BMW 5-Series (E39) vehicles. The steering center rods may have an insufficient ball pin pull force that may allow the rods to detach from the steering knuckle.

Consequence: If the steering rod detaches from the steerable wheel knuckle, it can cause sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: ZF has notified the parts distributors, instructing them to inform the end customer. ZF will reimburse them for the affected parts. The recall began August 28, 2019.

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Recall 12E029000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

| 585 vehicles affected

Defect: This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the...

Consequence: This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.

Remedy: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.

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Owner Complaints for the 2002 BMW 5 SERIES

10 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 BMW 5 SERIES. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11181196 | ENGINE | | 160,000 miles Fire
I HAVE A 2002 525I WHICH I DROVE TO WORK ON JANUARY 15, 2019. AFTER BEING IN WORK FOR 15 MINUTES, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE TOP OF THE HOOD, UNDER THE HOOD, AND UNDER THE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY ON FIRE. I HAVE READ ABOUT THE PVC RECALL FOR 2007-2011, BUT I ALSO READ "BMW HAD LOOKED 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?
#11181196 | STRUCTURE:BODY | | 160,000 miles Fire
I HAVE A 2002 525I WHICH I DROVE TO WORK ON JANUARY 15, 2019. AFTER BEING IN WORK FOR 15 MINUTES, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE TOP OF THE HOOD, UNDER THE HOOD, AND UNDER THE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY ON FIRE. I HAVE READ ABOUT THE PVC RECALL FOR 2007-2011, BUT I ALSO READ "BMW HAD LOOKED 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?
#11181196 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | 160,000 miles Fire
I HAVE A 2002 525I WHICH I DROVE TO WORK ON JANUARY 15, 2019. AFTER BEING IN WORK FOR 15 MINUTES, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE TOP OF THE HOOD, UNDER THE HOOD, AND UNDER THE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY ON FIRE. I HAVE READ ABOUT THE PVC RECALL FOR 2007-2011, BUT I ALSO READ "BMW HAD LOOKED 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?
#10607249 | EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | | 96,000 miles Crash
DRIVING AT 50 MPH I WAS BEING HARASSED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT. I DECIDED TO LET HIM PASS BUT FIRST I HAD TO SPEED UP TO 58 MPH INORDER TO COMPLETELY OVERTAKE A PASSENGER CAR TO MY RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) I GAVE THE THROTTLE SOME GAS AND THE CAR WENT NOWHERE. THE NEEDLE WENT ALL THE WAY INTO THE RED ZONE ON THE 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
#10607249 | POWER TRAIN | | 96,000 miles Crash
DRIVING AT 50 MPH I WAS BEING HARASSED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT. I DECIDED TO LET HIM PASS BUT FIRST I HAD TO SPEED UP TO 58 MPH INORDER TO COMPLETELY OVERTAKE A PASSENGER CAR TO MY RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) I GAVE THE THROTTLE SOME GAS AND THE CAR WENT NOWHERE. THE NEEDLE WENT ALL THE WAY INTO THE RED ZONE ON THE 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

View all Engine complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2002 BMW 5 SERIES

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2002 BMW 5 SERIES in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2002 BMW 5 SERIES

BMW of North America, LLC has issued 4 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2002 BMW 5 SERIES. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

B122917 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module.

SIB-11-02-08 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

BMW VEHICLE: THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON (MIL) LAMP IS ILLUMINATED AND A POWER REDUCTION IS CLEARLY PERCEPTIBLE. THIS SITUATION MAY OCCUR AFTER DRIVING FOR SOME TIME WITH THE ENGINE ALREADY AT FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. IF THE IGNITION IS CYCLED, THE ENGINE THEN USUALLY PERFORMS NORMALLY. *PE UPDATED 2/7/11. *PE UPDATED...

SIB-12-09-07 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

BMW VEHICLE: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED: S85-VARIOUS VANOS RELATED FAULTS STORED. (E60 (5SERIES), E63 & E64 (6SERIES). NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

SI B65 25 07 — SEATS

RECODE OR REPLACE OC3 SEAT MAT. VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO MARCH 31, 2005. *NJ

NHTSA Investigations for the 2002 BMW 5 SERIES

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the BMW 5 SERIES

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Other BMW Models

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