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2002 BMW 5 Series problems

The most common problem on the 2002 BMW 5 Series is engine and cooling. It has fewer complaints than a typical 5 Series model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
87/100
Owner complaints
7
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
38
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
16-19mpg

The worst 2002 BMW 5 Series problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Engine
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Suspension
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2002 BMW 5 Series 38

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 38 bulletins for the 2002 BMW 5 Series

2002 BMW 5 Series fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.5L 6‑cylRWD172419
4.4L 8‑cylRWD141916

What 2002 BMW 5 Series owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 19, 2019 · Body, Engine · 160,000 miles · DE · 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 the federal safety agency, 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?

Filed Jul 1, 2014 · Transmission · 96,000 miles · NY · 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?

Filed Jul 30, 2008 · Suspension · 74,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jul 30, 2008 · Visibility · 74,000 miles · CA

Rubber around the windshield is crumbling. Obvious defective material used in the rubber compound. Bmw refuses to addres the problem.

Filed Mar 19, 2003 · Engine · SC

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.

Filed Mar 5, 2003 · Transmission · NY

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

Filed Dec 31, 2002 · Lights · GA

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

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2002 BMW 5 Series before you buy

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Questions about the 2002 BMW 5 Series

Is the 2002 BMW 5 Series reliable?

Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2002 BMW 5 Series, fewer than a typical 5 Series model year.

What is the 2002 BMW 5 Series year score?

The 2002 BMW 5 Series scores 87 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 5 Series: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 BMW 5 Series?

Engine and cooling, with 2 complaints. Next is transmission (2).

How many recalls does the 2002 BMW 5 Series have?

No recalls on record.

What gas mileage does the 2002 BMW 5 Series get?

Official estimates for the 2002 BMW 5 Series range from 16 to 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 17 city and 24 highway.

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