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.
2001 BMW X5 electrical complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 24 of 24, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The wire harness failed, which caused the consumer to pull over.
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
Engine will stall at low speeds. Consumer feels this is dangerous on highway, because has to stop car to start it again.
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!
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