2002 BMW X5: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Mar 29, 2020 · Electrical, Lights · 150,000 miles · WI · fire

The dashboard went dark, only gauge that worked was the tachometer which I couldnt see because I had no dashboard lights. Stopped vehicle and took the keys out couldnt turn my lights off had no turn signals,the 3rd brake light was on all night long killing the battery I tried every fuse. Also my headlights wouldnt turn off the lighting controls were useless, and just kept smelling an electronic burning smell. I managed to disconnect all the lights except the 3rd brake light. Couldnt disconnect the battery because the lift gate to get into the back wouldn't work and the center console hazards stuck on and door locks didn't work I had to remove the glove box and all the paneling and track down the smell. Turns out the problem with this vehicle is that the rain manages to work itself down the inside of the a frame on both driver and passenger sides of the vehicle on driver side it destroys the obd module but on the passenger side it trickles directly into the lcm lighting control module which completely takes your eyes off the road when you cant see the dashboard your headlights start strobing on and off and then half get stuck on and half just dont work but when you spend the hours getting to the lcm to find out it has melted right into the side of your vehicle and you can tell it was on fire !! And this has happened to numerous people on the bmw forums im just happy my 3 year old son wasn't with me. And the real kicker is that I have no vehicle now and it cost 600$ for a new lcm that has to be programmed to your vehicle which will cost another 300$ when I could have hurt someone else or myself when you cant see but you can smell somethings burning its a hazard to everyone on and off the road .

Filed Jan 18, 2016 · OH

One day I got in my car to go out, when I closed the door the latch wouldn't catch. I kept trying and my door would not close. After waiting a few hours I tried again this time standing outside. The door did close, but I could not get it back open. The next day I went to get in from the other side and I did, but this door on the passenger side would not close. I finally did get it close, but it would not open. I had to get in from the back seat and crawl over to the front so that I could take it in to the dealer. What I was told was that the latch was probably frozen. So does this mean you can only drive a bmw in warm weather? He also said it could be a buildup of dirt. So I guess both my doors got a buildup of dirt at the same time. So he said we would probably just replace the latch. There are a lot of people having this problem. Why won't bmw take responsibility and fix the problem before someone get killed because they can't get of their car.

Filed Feb 9, 2013 · Body · 150,000 miles · MA

On many occasions before as well as today I had a problem with the front door locks latches malfunctioning, usually, in cold weather. Either the doors cannot be opened at all or. If opened (usually manually) they cannot be closed/latched at all, this usually happens in cold weather and the problem goes away when the temperature outside goes up. This is a serious design flaw that is, potentially, safety related as driving with door not latched is unsafe. I'm wondering if this could have resulted in injuries and/or deaths in accidents involving affected bmw x5.

Filed Mar 4, 2009 · Locks · 93,140 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 bmw x5. The contact experienced issues with the front doors on her vehicle. She would become locked inside the vehicle because the doors would not open. She attempted to unlock them with the power door lock mechanism, which worked properly, but the door handles would not allow the doors to open. The contact had to exit through the back doors. The dealer and manufacturer have not been notified. The current and failure mileages were approximately 93,140.

Filed Feb 8, 2008 · Engine, Locks · MA

2002 bmw x5 with oil separator safety issues. Consumer states that the oil separator failed. Consumer was shown that water was mixing with the oil creating a foamy sludge. Luckily the problem did not affect the engine. *kb the consumer also stated the door locks did not work on one of the doors and the window fell inside the door. The window mechanism needed to be replaced. The windshield wiper inserts were replaced.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · 100 miles · NY

What women should know what all bmw x5 owners should fear, and why bmw should recall their SUV. I am a 36-year-old woman. I drive a 2002 bmw x5. They chose to hide from consumers, their pathetic choice of a safe locking mechanism, and a failure of an alarm system. The only thing keeping a thief from getting into your SUV, is a lock that weighs less than two quarters. A thief needs 5 seconds, a screwdriver, and your SUV is theirs. Not only does the split second removal of this lock allow them into your x5, but it immediately shuts off the so-called alarm system, unlocks all your doors, and opens all your windows, including the sunroof. All with just a flick of the wrist. To make the situation worse; bmw is aware of this problem, choosing to do nothing about it. In a little over a years time, they have broken into my x5 twice. The first attempt nearly cost me my life. Only 2 days after receiving my vehicle, it was broken into. Fortunately, I was my own witness. My SUV, parked only 20 feet from the store I was in at the time, was broken into in less than 10 seconds. They popped the lock out of the driver side door, which in turn disabled the alarm, thus, never going off, was in my driver side seat attempting to start my vehicle. Seeing the whole thing, realizing what was taking place, I immediately ran to protect what was mine. It was 3pm, on a heavily populated street. Going on instinct, I ran into the middle of a 2 way street. Cars screeching to a halt; I screamed for the thief to get out of my vehicle. Scarring him as a result of my insanity, he slipped out of my x5, into a waiting car, which attempted to run me over as they sped away. The luxury status of the x5, the fact that I am a women, the door lock being a well-known defect apparent to thieves; all combine to make me feel as if a bigger target has been put on my back. This is certainly not the feeling someone who purchases a bmw x5 should expect to feel!