2002 BMW 5 Series

Recalls

2 recalls name the 2002 BMW 5 Series. Newest first.

• Steering › Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting

  Aug 28, 2019NHTSA 19E058000614 vehiclesEquipment

  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.

  Risk and remedy

  Risk

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

  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.

  Full recall details →

• Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan

  Aug 10, 2012NHTSA 12E029000585 vehiclesEquipment

  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…

  Risk and remedy

  Risk

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

  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.

  Full recall details →

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Power train2
2. Engine and engine cooling1
3. Equipment adaptive/mobility1
4. Exterior lighting1
5. Structure1
6. Suspension1
7. Unknown or other1
8. Engine1
9. Visibility1

Latest complaints

• Feb 19, 2019DE160,000 miFire
  Engine · Structure › Body · Unknown or other
  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…

  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?

• Jul 1, 2014NY96,000 miCrash
  Equipment adaptive/mobility · Power train
  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…

  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

• Jul 30, 2008CA74,000 mi
  Suspension

  Had my front thrust rod bushings replaced at BMW dealer due to vibration in steering at about 40,000 miles. problem returned at 74000 miles (2.5 years later). Defective material results in bushing cracks which negatively affects steering. *tr

• Jul 30, 2008CA74,000 mi
  Visibility › Windshield

  Rubber around the windshield IS crumbling. obvious defective material used in the rubber compound. BMW refuses to addres the problem. *tr

• Mar 19, 2003SC
  Engine and engine cooling › Engine

  Car has hesitated while being driven at or above 50 mph. car has stalled completely while accelerating out of a parking lot and while being driven at 40 mph. *nlm

• Mar 5, 2003NY
  Power train › Automatic transmission

  The vehicle failed to shift, which caused the vehicle to stall.*jb

• Dec 31, 2002GA
  Exterior lighting › Headlights

  Xenon headlights are too bright, blind oncoming traffic. these headlights should be banned! what ever happened to headlight standards.

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 10249437The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
• 10247567Engine 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
• 10245422Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicles 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.
• 10244242Various functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (ADCAM system) can lead to customer complaints.
• 10135028SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module.
• 10051519BMW: the high-voltage (hv) battery cells could be damaged if the vehicle IS prevented from entering sleep mode for an extended period of time. Updated 03/11/2013
• 10051439BMW: intermittently goes into park during a msa engine start. The transmission can intermittently go into the park position (p) when msa engine start IS occurring. A drive gear can be selected in order to drive away, and no relevant faults are stored.
• 10044024BMW: wipers lights and front power windows are inoperative. This situation may start and lead to a permanent fault. Also included model F07 (5 series gran turismo) model years up to march 2012.
• 10040853BMW: a grinding noise IS coming from the differential during slow cornering. When turning a slip/stick effect IS created on the lining and steel discs incorporated in the differential clutch causes a grinding noise.
• 10040852BMW: the service engine soon light IS on. There are trouble codes stored for the crankshaft sensor. No driveability issues.
• 10040057BMW: wiring on the headlights may have deteriorated due to environmental conditions and the cover not being secured properly. E60/e92. Updated 9/30/11.
• 10040046BMW: when outside temp IS below freezing the outside doors will not close or are difficult to open. A door cable has moisture intrusion and freezes.
• 10040045BMW: a new technical support process has been created regarding transmission concerns.
• 10037025BMW: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
• 10037010BMW: six different models equipped with the M54 engine could have valve covers break in cold weather and ruin the engine. This IS due to moisture accumulation.
• 10036979BMW: a new technical process has been created for BMW to identify causes of steering complaints with a wide range of models.
• 10035246BMW vehicles: replaced seat occupancy sensor mat will not enable. After replacing a cis (capacitive sensing passenger occupancy mat), the new mat will not enable when using ista/p. However, ista/p shows that the acsm (active crash safety module) was coded correctly. The following faults are stored in the acsm control module:9309ed, 9309f4 and 930a23. Adsm coding
• 10035244BMW vehicle: adaptive headlights. A check control (cc) message IS displayed for the adaptive headlights. The headlamps no longer turn with steering wheel movement. Fault code 800fc6 IS entered in the footwell module (FRM3). A second turn signal request IS made at the exact moment when the steering wheel IS automatically cancelling from a previous turn signal request. F07 (5 series), F01, F02, F07 (7 series).
• 10033130BMW vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. Where it IS necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery unit (suction jet assembly) do not need to be replaced as well. In some cases, epc does not show that the repair kit IS available separately in the illustration, but it IS available in the parts description. All models. No model years listed.
• 10032987BMW: instrument cluster-failure of displays/functions. Total or partial failure of displays or functions in the instrument cluster. The displays or functions start working again after the vehicle has been parked (sleep mode). Internal error in the processing of incoming messages from the k can bus. There may be various can message errors stored in the fault memory.
• 10032849BMW vehicle: dsc disabling function. Due to revised dme, dsc and ccc software, the mdm (m dynamic mode) button located in the center console switch cluster (szm) now has triple functionality-default state-dsc on; short press-mdm on (green mdm indicator displayed in the cluster); press and hold-dsc off (yellow dsc indicator displayed in the cluster; message appears in the control display). No model years listed.
• 10032825BMW vehicle: sport transmission paddle shifters inoperative-diagnosis. The direct communication input line between the paddle shifters and the egs transmission control module IS interrupted. No model years listed.
• 10032809BMW vehicle: N54 turbocharger waste gate control noises and operation. After turning off engine, a slight rattle noise IS heard from the engine compartment. This noise IS similar to a mechanical typewriter. In addition, the complaints of a slight reduction of power similar to an increased turbo lag. The vacuum supply to the waste gates may be restricted or blocked. No model years listed.
• 10032781BMW vehicle: driveability complaints due to cooling fan relay failure. The customer may complain of intermittent driveability problems, described as-engine IS lacking power when accelerating uphill; transmission will not upshift under heavy acceleration; distinct hesitation when accelerating from 30-45mph. No model years listed.
• 10032780BMW vehicle: service engine soon light illuminated: s85-various vanos related faults stored. (E60 (5series), E63 & E64 (6series). No model years listed.
• 10032779BMW 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. Updated 2/7/11. Updated on 06/09/2011. Updated 8/10/11. Updated 1/11/13.
• 10032650BMW: service engine soon lamp illuminated-fc 23F4 map thermostat. In some vehicles have insufficient heat. E90, E91 (3 series), E60, E61 (5 series) 3/06 and E83 (X3 series) 9/08.
• 10031684BMW: complaints that the engine management system has entered the engine failsafe mode and that the turbocharger boost IS reduced. E82, E88, E90, E92, E93, E60, E61, and E71. All models with nay engines. No model years listed. Updated 09/30/11.
• 10029684BMW: service engine soon lamp or the check gas cap warnings are illuminated while driving. When diagnosed, the dme has stored faults for small leak, micro leak, super fine leak, or large leak in relation to the tank ventilation or evaporative system updated 10/27/09.
• 10029605BMW service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. The airbag warning lamp (awl) IS illuminated, together with the passenger airbag status lamp (pol). The problem may be intermittent. Microcracks in the OC3 seat mat. Updated 9/30/11.
• 10029444BMW: vehicle has a check control message self leveling suspension failed/malfunctioning displayed. At least one of the following fault codes IS stored and IS currently present in the ehc control unit: 5F98 control time fault lifting rear left; 5F99 control time fault lifting rear right; 5F9A control time fault lifting. Model years unknown. Updated 11/17/10.
• 10029257BMW: all instrument dials are inoperative and the illumination of the information display in the instrument cluster IS very bright.
• 10029025BMW: small number of vehicles experience problems ranging from leaking oil filler caps, leaking or broken valve covers, to complete engine failure in extremely cold climate conditions. Moisture accumulating in engine crankcase ventilation valve or hoses can freeze due to low ambient temperatures.
• 10025983BMW: headlamp moisture: fault diagnostics. Water or condensation in one or both headlamps. Models 5 series, 6 series, 7 series, X5, X6, 1 series, and 3 series. Model years 2000-20008.
• 10025584N54 rattle noise from turbocharger area. Models E90, E92 and E93 (3 series) 335I and 335xi; E60 and E61 (5 series) 535I and 535xi, all with N54 engine from the start of production to january 17, 2008 production.
• 10025573N52 edk throttle jamming faults 2D09, 2CED and 2CEC. Model E90 and E91 (3 series) and E60 and E61 (5 series), all models up to 11/2005 with N52 engine.
• 10024510Recode or replace OC3 seat mat. Vehicles produced up to march 31, 2005.
• 10015410Check engine lamp illuminated and/or vehicle overheats. BMW E90 (3 series) all E90 (3 series) and E60 (5 series) models equipped with N52 engine.

Every BMW 5 Series model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.