BMWX5 4.4I2002Overview/bmw/x5-4-4i/2002/base/
E53 platform

2002 BMW X5 4.4I

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 X5 4.4I.

Body SUV

The 2002 BMW X5 4.4i is an E53-platform SUV that demands specific maintenance parameters, requiring a substantial 8.0 quarts of oil meeting API SJ specifications in 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 viscosity grades to keep its engine running properly. However, this model year occupies a troubled chapter in the platform's reliability history, underscored by 116 owner complaints predominantly focused on Engine & Engine Cooling issues. Coupled with five separate recalls, these figures mean that researchers and prospective owners must approach the 2002 X5 4.4i with heightened scrutiny regarding its powertrain longevity and overall dependability.

Model year2006200520042003200220012000

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity8.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJOEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 640 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11421741000. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 640 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnTURNOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11421741000 alt 11427510717
Engine air filter13721736675 alt 13721702908
Fuel filter16126754016 alt 13321709535
Spark plug12129071003 alt 12120037607
Battery61218381749 alt 61218381762
Front wiper blades61617161613 alt 61610032743
Thermostat11511705408 alt 11537509357
Cabin air filter64318409043 alt 64318409044

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.9 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase111 in
Curb weight4824 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)48/52

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 8.0 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity8.0 qt
Engine Oil15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity8.5 qt
Engine Oil15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity8.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts302 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugM12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug24.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug24.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub310 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub310 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.8 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.95-1.75 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance640 cca
Optional BCI Group Number49
Optional BCI Cranking Performance720 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief28-32 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature207 °F
Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief28-32 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature185 °F
Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief28-32 psi

Brakes

OtherE53
Torque Caliper to Bracket18-22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle81 ft-lbs
OtherE53
Torque to Knuckle81 ft-lbs
OtherE53
Torque Caliper to Bracket18-22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle81 ft-lbs

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
175 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 degrees, step 3: 60 degrees, step 4: 3075 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
173 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 degrees, step 3: 60 degrees, step 4: 3073 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
280 degrees80 degrees
380
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
280 degrees80 degrees
380
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
129.5 ft. lbs.29.5 ft. lbs
290.0 ft. lbs.90 ft. lbs
390.0 ft. lbs.90 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi.

Every 100,000 miOxygen Sensor (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2002 BMW X5 4.4I lead in one area — the engine & engine cooling, 22 of 116 reports (19%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 3 recall campaigns target the engine & engine cooling, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 4 of the reports describe a crash and 8 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the engine & engine cooling pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
95
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
116
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 8 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 116 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling22
Air Bags11
Visibility9
Power Train7
Exterior Lighting7
Steering5
Electrical System5
Latches/Locks/Linkages4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V047000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 20/01/2017

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it…

03V032000Seat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblyReported 04/02/2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CONNECTION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE TO THE STEEL ROPE OF THE TENSIONER DOES NOT MEET BMW SPECIFICATIONS. IN SEVERE FRONTAL CRASHES, THIS CONNECTION CAN DETACH. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT TENSIONER AND BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THESE PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 95 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B5108192024-01-16Electrical SystemThe basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B1606232023-12-20Engine And Engine CoolingEngine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel…
B6534232023-11-22Electrical SystemCustomers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their…
B5223192023-10-20SeatsSecond seat row blocking access to third seat row, program seat modules. Visible…
B6605232023-10-19Vehicle Speed ControlVarious functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (ADCAM system) can lead…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific X5 4.4I. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 X5 4.4I take?

8.0 qt of HIGH PERFORMANCE MINERAL OILS: ABOVE 5 degrees F: 15W-40 API SJ, SL OR SM, -5 degreesF TO 68 degrees F: 10W-40 API SJ, SL OR SM, 5 degreesF TO 50 degrees F: 10W-30 API SJ, SL OR SM, BELOW 50 degrees F: 5W-30 API SJ, SL OR SM, BELOW 32 degrees F:, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 X5 4.4I have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.