general problems of the 2002 BMW X5

Two problems related to exterior lighting have been reported for the 2002 BMW X5. The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 03/02/2021

Car was parked. I tried to unlock my car with the key fob and nothing happened. I unlocked the door with the key and after getting in the central locking system would not work. After researching the problem I found that the gmiii controls the central locking as well as other items like the windshield wipers, interior lights, sun roof, and rear upper and lower hatch. I orders a new one and when I took the old one out to replace it I found that it had caught on fire and blew fuse 14. It appears a thyristor or tiac got to hot and set the board and case on fire. I had smelt a plastic smell earlier while driving so it may have been burning before I parked. I am attaching photos.

2 Exterior Lighting problem

Failure Date: 11/12/2002

I drive 3,000 miles per month and I'm tired of being blinded by BMW's hid lights. No matter if they are coming towards me or behind they are too bright! other manufacturers do not seem to have this problem. I have noticed that the X5 SUV is the absolute worst vehicle made to drive in front of at night. I have had to pull over to avoid being blinded. This problem has occured in the three different vehciles that I drive, so height of my vehicle is not a contributing facor. I feel that these lights are dangerous and should be redesigned.


Other Exterior Lighting related problems of the 2002 BMW X5



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Fuel Economy of X5 Vehicles
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X5 Defect Investigations