Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2000 BMW X5 recalls
Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module
NHTSA campaign 25V748000 · reported October 31, 2025 · BMW of North America, LLC · 5,361 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 X5 vehicles that may be equipped with a sport steering wheel containing a Takata PSDI-4 air bag inflator. The inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling.
- The risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's front air bag, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 23, 2025. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 19V015.
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA campaign 03V001000 · reported January 9, 2003 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE · 84,000 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- On certain sport utility vehicles, it may be possible for the front brake line to slip out of the retaining bracket located at the front strut. The brake hose that is attached to the brake line could come in contact with the tire and be subjected to wear and abrasion.
- The risk
- This could initially cause some brake fluid leakage, and eventually lead to a substantial loss of brake fluid. There could be a noticeable reduction in brake performance if a loss of front brake performance occurs.
- The fix
- Dealers will install an additional retaining clip to further secure the brake line to the front strut. Additionally, if inspection of any brake hose indicates that it has experienced damage, the hose will be replaced. Owner notification began february 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
NHTSA campaign 02V194000 · reported July 24, 2002 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE · 34,860 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- On certain passenger vehicles, due to a manufacturing problem, the brake pedal arm pivot shaft could loosen from its support bracket.
- The risk
- Eventually, the brake pedal arm could detach from the bracket, rendering the service braking system ineffective, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will check the brake pedal arm pivot shaft for proper seating in its support bracket. In addition, a pin will be installed to secure the shaft to the bracket. Owner notification began august 14, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1-800-332-4269.
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA campaign 01V195000 · reported June 14, 2001 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE · 13,721 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Vehicle description: 4.4i sport utility vehicles. There is a plastic carrier to which the oil filter housing is attached. Oil supply and return lines are attached to the filter housing. Over time, this carrier could sag slightly. If this happens, one of the oil lines, which are armored with steel mesh, could come into contact and chafe a steel brake line located immediately underneath.
- The risk
- Continued chaffing can cause the anticorrosion coating of this brake line to fail, allowing the brake line to rust through and leading to loss of brake fluid, failure of the rear brake circuit, and extended stopping distances, and a possible crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a rubber spacer below the plastic carrier to prevent sagging and subsequent contact between the oil and brake lines. Brake lines whose anticorrosion layer is found to be damaged as a result of contact with the oil line will be replaced. Owner notification began august 14, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Power train: automatic transmission, park/neutral start interlock switch
NHTSA campaign 01V196000 · reported June 14, 2001 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE · 14,300 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Vehicle description: 4.4i sport utility vehicles. Over an extended period of time, abrasion particles could deposit on the electrical contacts within the switch, causing a disruption of the electric current through the contacts. If the disruption occurs when the vehicle is stationary with the transmission in the neutral or park positions, the transmission will switch automatically into the emergency program, which is displayed in the instrument cluster via a warning lamp and a message, "trans. Fail-safe prog." in this case, the vehicle can be driven in lower gears only with limited engine output.
- The risk
- If this problem occurs, the ability to maintain speed in traffic and/or accelerate could be greatly diminished, possibly leading to a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the transmission gear position indicator switch. Owner notification began august 14, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
NHTSA campaign 00V010000 · reported January 18, 2000 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE · 190 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The lower steering shaft coupling includes a plastic collar which fits over the lower steering rack input shaft. This collar is pushed down onto the steering rack and tightened during assembly. On some of the affected vehicles, the collar may not have been pushed down fully onto the rack at the assembly plant.
- The risk
- Operation of the vehicle, especially in rough road conditions, can cause the clearance between the collar and the steering rack to increase to the point where the input shaft can separate from the rack, resulting in a loss of steering capability.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the steering rack input shaft collar for proper positioning, and reposition is necessary.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
May 26, 2016 · Service brakes · 150,000 miles
INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 3/14/2016 AT THE INTERSECTION OF E LAKE FOREST DR/ MIMOSA WY DURING DRIVING. COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE DURING DRIVING WHILE TURNING CORNER FROM TIRE WEARING AGAINST PASSENGER FRONT BRAKE LINE. ALMOST CAUSED SERIOUS AUTO ACCIDENT. INQUIRED WITH DEALER WHEN PURCHASING REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT THERE WAS A…
Apr 3, 2015 · Structure · 122,000 miles · fire reported
PULLED VEHICLE INTO GARAGE AND FRONT, RIGHT SIDE STARTED SMOKING. MY DAUGHTER AND I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND RAN INTO THE HOUSE TO ALERT MY HUSBAND. WITHIN SECONDS, SMOKE FILLED THE GARAGE AND FIRE WAS VISIBLE UNDER FRONT, RIGHT TIRE AND THROUGH HOOD. I CALLED THE 911 AND MY HUSBAND TRIED TO DOUSE THE FLAMES. THIS…
May 21, 2013 · Steering · 95,364 miles
I WAS TURNING INTO A RESTAURANT ( I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED) AND AS I GOT THE CHANCE TO TAKE THE TURN, IT BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL, LUCKILY MY SON WAS SITTING NEXT TO ME AND HE HAD TO MANUALLY HELP ME TO TURN THE CAR. I HIT THE CURB BUT LUCKILY MANAGED TO PULL OUT OF THE STREET AND OUT OF THE WAY OF…
Apr 13, 2012 · Visibility
THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME. THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, PASSENGER'S FRONT WINDOW FAILED TO OPERATE. THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPONENT.
Mar 26, 2012 · Seat belts · 50,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW X5. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT. AFTER SOME TIME, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED…
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received May 26, 2016.