I own a 2012 BMW X5 that is experiencing a Footwell Module (FRM) failure. BMW issued an Extended Limited Warranty for the FRM extending coverage to 15 years or 186,000 miles. My vehicle falls within those limits. The FRM failure has rendered the headlights, high beams, turn signals, brake lights, and power windows inoperative. As a result, the vehicle cannot be safely operated on public roads. Other motorists may not be able to see when the vehicle is braking or turning, creating a significant safety concern. BMW of Brooklyn and BMW of North America have informed me that I must pay a $360 diagnostic fee upfront before they will determine whether the repair is covered under BMW's FRM Extended Limited Warranty. BMW's warranty letter states that the FRM warranty is subject to the same eligibility requirements and limitations as the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty. In my view, requiring a substantial upfront diagnostic fee to evaluate a known defect covered by an extended warranty creates an unreasonable barrier to obtaining warranty repairs. I understand diagnostic charges may be appropriate if the failure is ultimately determined to be unrelated to the FRM. However, I do not believe owners should be required to pay a significant upfront fee simply to determine whether a known and potentially covered defect qualifies for warranty coverage. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency review both the safety implications of FRM failures and BMW's administration of this warranty program.
BMW X5 headlights problems
35 of the 3,177 owner complaints about the BMW X5 describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 35
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 10,000
By model year
- 20241
- 20231
- 20221
- 20212
- 20204
- 20192
- 20152
- 20121
- 20113
- 20101
- 20092
- 20081
- 20061
- 20051
- 20041
- 20035
- 20021
- 20013
- 20002
Often reported together
Door locks 3Warning lights 2Stalling 1Power windows 1Overheating 1Lane assist 1Fire or smoke 1Collision warning 1
What owners say
Vehicle has excessive condensation in driver headlight. Garage kept only. Problem discovered because of parking vehicle outside on driveway while the garage hosted moving boxes. This was the only time this vehicle has spent the night outside.
I noticed one of my daytime running lights on the driver’s side laser headlight had turned yellow, instead of white like the others. I took the vehicle to the dealership and they said that the LED module that powers that daytime running light has overheated and caused the light tube to burn and melt. The dealership advised that the passenger side is also slowly starting to do the same thing. The repair the dealership recommended is to replace both headlights, at a cost of almost $18k! I’ve seen numerous BMWs on the roads with this same issue, and this should be addressed by BMW as a design flaw. If these modules are burning plastic pieces inside the housing, they could start a fire if they get hot enough.
On the driver's side the headlight's smaller light stopped working. I brought the car to BMW and they said the LED burned out, which also caused burn marks on the headlight assembly, so the entire headlight assembly needs to be replaced.
Headlights continually fog up and puddle water in them. It takes a major effort to dry them out. Dealer says they are vented and that they will clear themselves but don't. This is a continual problem and poses a safety issue because of headlight failure.
Factory seal on headlight assembly weakens causing headlamp to retain water
The contact owns a 2024 BMW X5. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control - ESC, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that his wife was in a parking lot driving at approximately 3 MPH when she depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle was not slowing. The contact stated that his wife had to use more force than normal to depress the pedal. The contact stated that she had not observed any warning lights. The contact stated that his wife crashed into the parking lot stop block and that the front end of the vehicle crashed into a steel fence. The contact stated that the front bumper had scratches and some dents. There was no damage to the headlights or the grill. The contact stated that his wife was not injured. The contact had driven the vehicle to a dealer to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed and had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 4,500. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Headlight wiring insulation dry rots prematurely within headlight causing system failure, which includes Headlight malfunction and system shorting. Headlights are known to stop working due to wiring shorting out, issues may cause an electrical fire besides malfunction.
The front headlight enclosure repeatedly fogs because moisture gets inside. It has just happened again to us. This has been widely reported by BMW owners and is a significant safety issue that BMW has not addressed. In the interest of public safety BMW should recall and replace whatever defective parts cause the problem.
To Whom It May Concern. Please help me on this. I purchased a BMW x5 that needed recalls installed at the BMW dealer. I purchased the vehicle, performed routine preventative maintenance, new tires, new brakes, full detail, shampooed the interior, and full wash, etc. When I took my BMW to the dealer, the BMW dealer installed the recalled items, but did not install or replace the defective FRM footwell module that controls the electric windows, signals, headlights, emergency flashers, and all the interior lights. Per BMW service manager, this FRM is defective from the factory because the FRM does not have a relay or fuse disconnect that protects the FRM from current surges or spikes. The manner and area that this FRM was mounted into the BMW x5 chassis makes this FRM electronic module highly susceptible to being damaged or become defective due to no fault of the vehicle driver or owner. Shame on BMW for not standing behind the quality of their vehicles. I have spent a considerable amount of money, close to one thousand dollars on the diagnosis and repair of footwell module FRM on my 2011 BMW x5 vehicle. Please intervene on my behalf, hundreds of other BMW x5 owners have also been fraudulently sold defective parts and vehicles. BMW knows this is a major safety issue, yet BMW will not issue a recall until the federal safety agency, NTSB, or another government entity forces BMW to do the right thing. Shameful. Please intervene on our behalf. Respectfully, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X6 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M, X7 M50i and 2021 X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The headlamps may allow a blue light to illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- Oncoming drivers may be confused by the blue light of approaching vehicles, which could potentially increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlamps and, if necessary, replace them, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 20V528000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting
- What is wrong
- Bmw is recalling certain model year 2010 x5 m sav vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment," these vehicle's were equipped with side marker lamps, but not the power supply cables leading to the lamps. As a result, the side marker lamps do not illuminate.
- Risk
- These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 108.
- Remedy
- Bmw will install power supply cables for the front side marker lamps. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during may 2010. Owners may contact bmw at 800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 10V152000 · Recall details
Questions about the BMW X5 headlights
Which BMW X5 years have headlights failing or too dim problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (5 complaints), 2020 (4 complaints) and 2001 (3 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used BMW X5?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history