2002 Bmw X5 Body & Structure Problems

Your car's entire front end caught fire while you were at work, with flames consuming the hood, engine bay, and undercarriage. You found information suggesting BMW investigated heating and cooling system issues that could cause heat damage and fires, but only starting in 2007 — potentially missing earlier model years like your 2002. You'll want to contact BMW directly about this fire and ask whether your vehicle is covered under any recalls or service bulletins related to engine bay heat damage or cooling system failures.

Your hood flew open while driving at 35 mph after you didn't fully secure the latch when closing it. An independent mechanic found that the hood shock struts had torn loose and the hood needed replacement. BMW noted that the rearview mirror should alert you if the hood is open, but declined further assistance since the vehicle wasn't serviced at a certified BMW dealer. Fixing this issue would likely involve replacing the hood shock struts and inspecting the hood latch mechanism.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE LOCKS FAILED TO WORK WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS AN OCCASION WHERE SHE WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

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. *TR

AS MY WIFE AND I DRIVING TO HER MD APPOINTMENT ON 11/26/12. I'VE NOTICED GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CAR,AND CAR SUDDENLY LOSING POWER, WHEN I'VE STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT'S LIKE GAINING POWER TO GO AND SUDDENLY LOSES POWER. I WAS KIND OF CONFUSED WHAT HAPPENED . WE WERE ON THE ROAD RIGHT BEHIND THE INTERSECTION. WE HAD TO STOP FOR THE RED LIGHT,WHEN I'VE TRIED TO GO, THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING LIKE IT SHOULD. WE MADE IT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE INTERSECTION, WHICH THERE IS DENNY'S RESTAURANT PARKING LOT. BY THE TIME I'VE PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON,WE WERE STILL IN THE CAR. ALL OF THE SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD SOUND, LIKE EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND FIRE STARTED.THANKS GOD, WE GOT OUT OF THE CAR JUST IN TIME. THE FIRE WAS BURNING OUT OF CONTROL. COUPLE OF PASSERBY HAD FIRE EXTINGUISHERS IN THEIR CARS,TRIED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT, WHILE I WAS ON THE 911 CALL,BUT NO LUCK. IN JUST A LESS THAN A MINUTE THE WHOLE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IT TOOK FIRE DEPT LIKE 20-30 MINUTES TO PUT THE FIRE OUT,AND MY CAR JUST MELTED FRONT OF MY EYES. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED BY ITSELF. *JB

WHILE PARKING, CONSUMER TAPPED THE BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A BMW MECHANIC FOR AN APPRAISAL. THE MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE BUMPER HAD BEEN KNOCKED OFF IT'S MOORING. CONSUMER REQUESTS INFORMATION ON THE SAFTEY STANDARD OF THIS VEHICLE. *JG