Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 BMW X5, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 6 | 21% |
| Power train | 6 | 21% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 10% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 7% |
| Suspension | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 1 | 3% |
| Power train | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 CA
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 F
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 TU
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME. THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, PASSENGER'S FRONT WINDOW FAILED TO OPERATE. THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPONENT. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 AS
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW X5. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE USING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE THROUGH ANOTHER DOOR AND NOTICED THE
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS HAVE FALLEN INSIDE THE DOOR DUE TO A FAULTY REGULATOR. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE DR
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
NO REVERSE AND ALSO NO COMMUNICATION TO THE ABS MODULE SO NO ABS. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2000 BMW X5. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 T
Risk: IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN SPEED IN TRAFFIC AND/OR ACCELERATE COULD BE GREATLY DIMINISHED, POSSIBLY LEADING TO A CRASH.
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 DA
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 ST
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 E
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
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM PIVOT SHAFT COULD LOOSEN FROM ITS SUPPORT BRACKET.
Risk: EVENTUALLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM COULD DETACH FROM THE BRACKET, RENDERING THE SERVICE BRAKING SYSTEM INEFFECTIVE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 AUGUS
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 HA
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 RAC
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING RACK INPUT SHAFT COLLAR FOR PROPER POSITIONING, AND REPOSITION IS NECESSARY.
| Reliability raw | 89 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 41 | below average |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 68 | good |
| Efficiency | 25 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and visibility is the most reported area with 6 of them (21%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 89/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.