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BMW X5 Reliability Concerns

61 messages,  Last post on Feb 10, 2013 at 1:50 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW X5, SUV

Messages Page 2 of 6

#11 of 61 TRANS.FAIL-SAFE PROG by bobalvis

Nov 27, 2006 (9:11 am)

Anyone have this warning signal appear? Mine showed up for the first time this weekend. (2002 3.0 with 60,000 miles). Car completely shut down and barely gave me enough time to get off a very busy freeway. Would not crank up immediately but did so after nearly an hour. Had it towed about 100 miles to my shop. Still waiting on explanation. Sure ruined a great Thanksgiving holiday!
If you have experienced this, what was the solution?
Thanks,
Bob

#12 of 61 How reliable is an old X5 - worth buying? by oldbee

May 24, 2007 (9:16 pm)

Really dont need a car, and could use one for weekends or a bit otherwise - say 4 to 6 thousand miles a year. There is a 2001 BMW X5 that has done 120,000 miles on the highway and I know to be kept reasonably fine (mostly highway driving, regularly maintained and by BMW only, non-smoker, parked indoor, etc).
Any ideas about the engine life, or other things I should be careful about?
Is reliability an issue after these many miles?
Thoughts from the guys who hold onto their cars for a LONG time!?!?

#13 of 61 525it vs X5 by katcopter

Jul 23, 2007 (8:22 am)

I currently own a 2001 525it sport wagon with 59,000 miles. I love the car but have always wanted an X5. I currently have my eye on a loaded (sport and premium packages) 2005 X5 at my local dealer with about 61,000 miles-which seem to be awfully high for a 2 year old vehicle. Are there any problems/concerns with respect to this year at this mileage? I generally put about 10,000 miles per year on my wagon.
Thanks for any help!

#14 of 61 Re: TRANS.FAIL-SAFE PROG [bobalvis] by smacar01

Jul 28, 2007 (9:01 am)

Replying to: bobalvis (Nov 27, 2006 9:11 am)
I found this recall on the web:
Recall date: 06-14-2001
Units potentially affected: 14,300
NHTSA campaign number: 01V196000
Defective part or component: POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC:SWITCH:SOLENOID:SHIFT ELECTRIC
  
Description: 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. If this problem occurs, the ability to maintain speed in traffic and/or accelerate could be greatly diminished, possibly leading to a crash. 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.
 
Hope it helps

#15 of 61 Re: TRANS.FAIL-SAFE PROG [smacar01] by katcopter

Jul 28, 2007 (9:15 am)

Replying to: smacar01 (Jul 28, 2007 9:01 am)
Thanks Bob! Much appreciated. I had a '94 525i that would do that once in awhile. Rather unnerving. I always had to pull over, shut the car off for 5-10 minutes until the computer reset itself. The odd part was that it only happened when I traveled a certain hill in my area and only when it was very hot outside. Once I figured that out, I just avoided the hill in hot weather and never had the problem again. It would seem to stick in 1st or 2nd gear. I eventually had it fixed.

#16 of 61 Nav System Fried? by lbwhite

Dec 10, 2007 (4:40 pm)

Hello,
 
I recently received the trans fail safe error and then our 2001 X5 died. The alternator and battery were replaced. The dealer said the error message had nothing to do with the alt/battery and power failure.
 
However, when I picked it up, the front monitor/display is blank. It occassionally blinks but nothing displays. The radio turns off after a few minutes. The dealer says that the nav system controls all the displays and that it needs replacing and then the monitor will need replacing. I don't have high regards to the service consultant as he originally told us when we picked it up the first time that the display would show back up the next day. We were stuck in traffic and didn't have time to argue but knew that it was bogus.
 
Any one have any advice? Does the nav system control the display? The in phone unit still works. I'm not wanting to spend $3900 to replace the nav and the display if I don't need to.
 
Thanks!

#17 of 61 Re: Nav System Fried? [lbwhite] by mtemp1

Feb 12, 2008 (12:13 am)

Replying to: lbwhite (Dec 10, 2007 4:40 pm)
I have the same exact problem...were you able to fix it. Please let me know (you can email me at mmuotoyahoo.com) Thanks.

#18 of 61 X5 reliability by lion2000

Mar 30, 2008 (8:49 pm)

Replying to: mtemp1 (Feb 12, 2008 12:13 am)
No complain about the X5 reliability and its prestige. However, if you can put up with the inconvenience that had caused me, it is worthy! I have a 2001 X5 4.4 and am still driving it (101K miles).
 
* The first year I took the car back to the dealer 6 times. 3 times for door latch cable, 1 for burn out head light, 1 for transmission position sensor, 1 for electronics problem (disarm the car can cause hazard light to blink and can easily turn it off).
* Fan blower speed control reostat burn out at 55K miles, dealer took care of for free.
* Turn signal light burn out within warrenty.
* Mass flow sensor broke at 65K miles. $$$ to replace.
* Drive power shaft was broken due to bad quality material at 75K miles.
* 70K miles, engine block oil gasket was leaking. $$$ to replace.
* Radiator water hose erupted at 96K miles. Replacement hose had better built.
 
It is costly to maintain. Oil service and radiator flush costs 325. 100K service is 1500. When you change break pad, all four rotors plus sensors need to be replaced at the same time, 1000.
 
I have been looking at the reviews of other European SUVs, all seem to have reliability issue. I don't want to turn to the Japanese (had an Acura legend for 8 years never had problem). I may not have a choice here. Any recommendation? Any experience with newer X5 models? Much appreciated!!
 
//Lion

#19 of 61 Re: X5 reliability [lion2000] by bmlexus

Mar 31, 2008 (12:55 pm)

Replying to: lion2000 (Mar 30, 2008 8:49 pm)
No complain about the X5 reliability and its prestige. However, if you can put up with the inconvenience that had caused me, it is worthy! I have a 2001 X5 4.4 and am still driving it (101K miles). Thats the main reason why i like bmw a lot but get very tense after reading the troubles

Messages Page 2 of 6

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