2001 BMW 525I
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 2001 BMW 525I. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 2001 BMW 525I. Newest first.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports…
Risk and remedy
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
On certain passenger vehicles, a microprocessor in the air bag control module, which activates the front air bags, the side air bags, the front seat safety belt pretensioners, and the battery safety terminal, may have a malfunction that could lead to an unintended activation of one or more of these components.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Unexpected deployment of the air bag(s) could cause serious injury if an occupant IS too close to the deploying air bag(s). in addition, the battery safety terminal may also be activated. if that happens, the starter cable would become disconnected from the battery, and the engine could not be restarted.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the air bag control module. owner notification began november10, 2003. owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
On certain passenger vehicles, the engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, IS electronically controlled. failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result. in addition, it IS possible for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause a fire in the fan control unit located in the front of the engine compartment.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fan. owner notification began september 28, 2001. this IS a supplement to a recall that began during september 2001 (see recall campaign 01v206). 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.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. the engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, IS electronically controlled. failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result. in addition, it IS possible for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause a fire in the fan control unit located in the front of the engine compartment.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fan. owner notification began september 28, 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.
Owner complaints
22 complaints2 involved a crash6 involved a fire2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Unknown or other
We arrived at church, and I remained behind finishing my makeup. My husband locked the car with the fob out of habit, and my foot was holding the passenger door open. Forgetting the door had been locked with the fob, I accidentally allowed the passenger door to close. I had no keys. Services began…
We arrived at church, and I remained behind finishing my makeup. My husband locked the car with the fob out of habit, and my foot was holding the passenger door open. Forgetting the door had been locked with the fob, I accidentally allowed the passenger door to close. I had no keys. Services began, not a soul in site outside. I began to panic when I could not get the door or any other to open. The alarm would not trigger, and the sunroof was cracked accidentally about an inch. It was July. I could not get anyone to hear me, and could not get any door or window ajar. Eventually I was able to get the attention of an elder, who went and retrieved the keys and got me out. I was soaked in sweat, using an inhaler about every 20 minutes, extremely scary. The other time this happened, my son was sitting in the car but the alarm went off and would not let him out until I came with the fob. He was 15, so he was not young. I had no idea he could not exit the vehicle should he choose. I know there is some emergency release in the hatch somehow but could not locate. Air bags were scheduled to be replaced, had rental scheduled with dealership, drove 45 minutes to leave car for repair, but they had no rental as was promised, so I returned home in the vehicle.
- Air bags
BMW IS using the recall to force people back into their service center. even when a repair isn't required. then, they tell you that there are 100 other things that are needed on your vehicle. attached are the samples of the documents. this behavior IS fraudulent and deceptive. even though they know my vehicle does not need this airbag, they continue to send annoying letters.
- Electrical system · Engine
I drove the car a mile to the store and a mile back and when I was walking away you could see a spark and then a minute later another one and another until then the car started smoking and within 4 minutes the car was engulfed in flames. My security cameras caught the whole thing on tape. We tried our best to contain the fire but it took the fire department to put it out.
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
TL* the contact owns a 2001 BMW 525I. The contact stated after parking and returning to the vehicle, upon starting the vehicle detected a burning odor and flames exiting the front of hood. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated when opening the hood he saw fire…
TL* the contact owns a 2001 BMW 525I. The contact stated after parking and returning to the vehicle, upon starting the vehicle detected a burning odor and flames exiting the front of hood. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated when opening the hood he saw fire located in front of the radiator. The contact stated he extinguished the fire with water he had available. No police or fire department report was filed. The contact stated he was able to disconnect wires for the electrical fan and continued driving the vehicle. The contact called niello BMW elk grove (8580 laguna grove dr, elk grove, ca 95757 (916) 687-9000) were made aware of the failure. The contact stated the dealer informed him that the vehicle was serviced under unknown recall for the engine and engine cooling in 2002.the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired as of yet. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
- Electrical system · Engine
I had taken a longer road trip, and was on my way back, about a quarter of the way when we stopped for dinner. I parked, and everything was usual. A couple minutes later, I went to move the car, and while I was waiting in a drive-thru line, I see smoke billowing out from under the hood and I smell…
I had taken a longer road trip, and was on my way back, about a quarter of the way when we stopped for dinner. I parked, and everything was usual. A couple minutes later, I went to move the car, and while I was waiting in a drive-thru line, I see smoke billowing out from under the hood and I smell a burning smell. I parked the car back where it had been, and, thinking it was a coolant issue, opened the hood to let the engine cool down, and left my passengers with the car and walked across the street to buy some coolant. When I returned, my passengers told me that they had noticed a flame at the extreme front of the engine and had to douse it with water. I checked, and I saw that the wires leading to the auxiliary cooling fan in front of the radiator had melted and caught on fire and burned the plastic near them (as seen in the picture). I then found the connector for those wires and disconnected them so that they could not relight. I did some research and found that this IS a common problem resulting from the wires pulling too much power and thus melting themselves. The problem with the wires did not set off any warning or check engine lights, and did not affect the engine temperature, at least at freeway speeds. I also found out that the battery can run this fan for up to 11 minutes after the engine IS turned off, thus being able to start a fire in a garage when no one IS around. This problem IS extremely dangerous as the whole car could go up in flames.
- Electrical system · Electronic stability control (esc) · Fuel/propulsion system
The service engine light IS on and off many times. There are several times after I exit the highway car shaked and almost cannot drive. But after several hours or park one day, it can drive again, when it can drive, it runs excellent. I do not know what happened. If I drive a long distance, the…
The service engine light IS on and off many times. There are several times after I exit the highway car shaked and almost cannot drive. But after several hours or park one day, it can drive again, when it can drive, it runs excellent. I do not know what happened. If I drive a long distance, the light turn on again. It even slow down on the highway. Currently it cannot drive. It ever stopped on the highway 60TH nogales exit. Temperature light IS on. I drive it of the highway. After I exit highway, the steering IS locked.
- Air bags · Power train
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2001 BMW 525I. The contact stated that the transmission was slow to change gears intermittently. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the transmission assembly needed to be replaced. Also, while driving 25 mph over a pothole, the undercarriage of the vehicle…
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2001 BMW 525I. The contact stated that the transmission was slow to change gears intermittently. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the transmission assembly needed to be replaced. Also, while driving 25 mph over a pothole, the undercarriage of the vehicle was damaged and the air bags deployed with force. The driver was not injured. The vehicle remained parked at the contact's residence due to the failure. The contact later received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 19v015000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.
- Electrical system · Engine
Possible BMW recall issue (car spontaneously caught fire while car off). car purchased on 11/8/17. On 11/16/17, car was parked in our driveway with ignition off after driving approximately 30 minutes. Approximately 10 minutes later, driver heard the car alarm go off which prompted him to go…
Possible BMW recall issue (car spontaneously caught fire while car off). car purchased on 11/8/17. On 11/16/17, car was parked in our driveway with ignition off after driving approximately 30 minutes. Approximately 10 minutes later, driver heard the car alarm go off which prompted him to go outside and saw flames and smoke coming from under the hood. Driver called 911. Car continued to combust several times before fire dept got to our house. See pictures for damage. We still have the BMW car in question in our driveway.
- Vehicle speed control
TL* the contact owns a 2001 BMW 525I. The contact stated that while entering a residential parking garage, the vehicle accelerated rapidly and abruptly as the accelerator pedal was lightly depressed. The contact crashed into a wall and the air bags deployed. the contact sustained a fractured jaw…
TL* the contact owns a 2001 BMW 525I. The contact stated that while entering a residential parking garage, the vehicle accelerated rapidly and abruptly as the accelerator pedal was lightly depressed. The contact crashed into a wall and the air bags deployed. the contact sustained a fractured jaw from the air bag striking her face. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000. The vin was unavailable.
- Engine
TL* the contact owns a 2001 BMW 525I. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, she smelled a burning odor emitting from the radiator. The temperature gauge began to read extremely hot with the illumination of the engine warning indicator. Also, light gray smoke emitted from the…
TL* the contact owns a 2001 BMW 525I. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, she smelled a burning odor emitting from the radiator. The temperature gauge began to read extremely hot with the illumination of the engine warning indicator. Also, light gray smoke emitted from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road and then towed to an authorized dealer. The contact referenced nhtsa campaign ID number 02v138000 (engine and engine cooling) and 01v206000 (engine and engine cooling) but was advised that the vin was not included in either recall. The repairs performed on the vehicle consisted of the replacement of the water pump, valve cover gasket and the coolant pipe. In addition, the auxiliary fan was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 86,990.
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 BMW 525I. While the contact was driving approximately 50 mph, the check engine light illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. After two hours, the contact turned the vehicle on and took it to a local repair shop where he was informed that the…
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 BMW 525I. While the contact was driving approximately 50 mph, the check engine light illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. After two hours, the contact turned the vehicle on and took it to a local repair shop where he was informed that the engine cooling fan needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000. updated 01/14/11*lj
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Steering
Upon arriving home from 4 mile round trip light city traffic (25 mph aver speed), and entering base of my driveway, my well-serviced 2001 BMW 525I (60,000 miles) suddenly lost power steering, engine quit, battery warning lighting, and "service engine soon" light came on, and loud clanging noise…
Upon arriving home from 4 mile round trip light city traffic (25 mph aver speed), and entering base of my driveway, my well-serviced 2001 BMW 525I (60,000 miles) suddenly lost power steering, engine quit, battery warning lighting, and "service engine soon" light came on, and loud clanging noise came from engine compartment. restarted car to pull from street into my driveway and smoke starting coming out of engine compartment. shut car off and opened hood, saw steam coming out of cooling system expansion tank which had cracked. no more than 2 minutes occurred from time problem started until engine shut off. upon investigation, all belts were shredded and belt pulley disc had come off and was sitting at bottom of engine compartment. Had car towed to BMW dealer next day. although no injuries and car IS covered by warranty, I am reporting as safety problem as dealer said that problem could have happened while driving on highway, which would have been catastrophic with engine suddenly quitting and loss of power steering. dealer says that unusual that belt pulley would fail and simultaneous crack would occur in cooling expansion tank, although would seem logical to me that loss of water pump function would cause heat/pressure back up and cause tank to blow. dealer says problem IS due to wear on pulley rotator, which would cause wobbling over time. my safety concern IS that there was absolutely no warning, car had been running smoothly with no indication of wobbling belt (total service 3,000 miles prior) and this was very sudden. pulley should not come off -- somebody could be killed. new fan was installed in dec 2001 per recall. *Tr
- Air bags
I purchased my used 2001 BMW E39 525I two yrs ago with many issues as expected when I learned it was a "lease", prior owner never maintained the vehicle. I began to experience for months "airbag" light on. Paid for months having it reset, then I finally I started a search to locate a "recall for…
I purchased my used 2001 BMW E39 525I two yrs ago with many issues as expected when I learned it was a "lease", prior owner never maintained the vehicle. I began to experience for months "airbag" light on. Paid for months having it reset, then I finally I started a search to locate a "recall for airbag module" for this model. I called BMW north america immediately that I'm the new owner (they had no record of who was the owner) I was given direction how to handle, vehicle taken to a service center, repaired made. Two months late, airbag light on again, paid for another diagnostic, this time to be told something different, "stage 1-resistance too high". What IS that? I was told the airbag and it's components were tested, did not find anything defected, code reset, all ok but was told if airbag light come again, strong possibility "driver wheel airbag" will need to be replace which IS unusual. The next day, the light back on. Back to the svc center, told it needs to be replaced, if not, the chances are the airbag may not deploy. I'm quite upset. That evening of 12/19/09, I started searching, came across several blogging sites about BMW airbag. I came across 18 owners with the same make,model and yr having the same issue. I immediately called BMW north america with my finding, there IS no recall on and nothing they can do unless "safety" IS involved. I emphasized my concern of what I have read and what I have been told by the svc tech about not deploying. I need your assistance, what are the steps for nhtsa to conduct a investigation on this? I contacted a rep with BMW north america again 12/28/09, anything you can do, reply, "no". I feel this IS a serious matter. I asking your assistance if there are any records in your organization of owners with the identical model, make and yr that have been involved in a mva and their driver wheel airbag did not deploy properly and maybe were not aware of a "fault issue" in this model? *Tr
- Electronic stability control (esc)
ABS / dsc control unit failure . traction control light on all the time , stability control IS inoperable. *Tr
- Service brakes, hydraulic
When applying brakes when wet, brake pedal becomes very hard to push. a squishing sound can be heard as the brake IS applied and pedal moves to the floor board. only happens when brake IS very wet (coming out of carwash, also happened a number of times during a hard rain.) took a great deal of effort to push down on brake pedal and bring car to a stop. *tr
- Vehicle speed control
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 BMW 525I. the contact stated that the vehicle accelerated without warning when he shifted into drive. he had to shut off the vehicle in order for it to stop. the dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. as of october 31, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. the failure mileage was 40,000 and current mileage was 70,000. updated 11/15/07 *tr
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Alternator failure (of a 525I BMW 2001) due to the entrance of leaves and dirty through the cooling hose of the alternator and getting into the electrical parts of the alternator (iodes). this lead to fire and damage of the alternator. the hose IS aproximately 2.5 in. And it doesn't have any filter to clean the air or avoid particles to come in.
- Air bags › Frontal · Air bags › Side/window
While driving at 20 mph and making left turning consumer's vehicle was involved in a collision. upon impact, neither the side or front driver air bag deployed. Driver sustained chest, shoulders, and arm injuries from impacting the steering wheel. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
I have 2001 BMW 525I. I went to dealer service so many times to fix my problem concern. They won't fix it and said that "no customers complaint duplicated" all the times. After done my first 15000 miles service at dealer, "eml" lights came up and I sent my car to dealer immidiately. They changed…
I have 2001 BMW 525I. I went to dealer service so many times to fix my problem concern. They won't fix it and said that "no customers complaint duplicated" all the times. After done my first 15000 miles service at dealer, "eml" lights came up and I sent my car to dealer immidiately. They changed "trottle body" because they said, it's burned. After that repair, my car has alignment, trottle, accelation and transmission problems. Also they replace the fan by recall. now my car conditions are poor. I press the gas peddal for accelation, rpm's going high and big idle sound I can hear. And, over 80 degree temp. Big big idles. also decelation IS not working. Speed won't reduce until I braked. car riding quality's getting poor and poor. Suspension can't absorb roads bumps. at the same time, I hear so many clicking noise from door frames. It feels like where I drive at off-road. Also, I checked alignment by machine. It was really off-set. The camber, cast and toe was bad. They perform the alignment job. But still poor. I suffer with those problems about a year already. Recently I felt that steering wheel IS shaking and I felt a vibration from from floor of driver side. also badly, front low head beam IS too dim and not blighter than before. It cause, hard to drive at night. I think, my car has engine, transmission, trottle and some junction problem from engine thru axle. today I catch another thing. When I turn on the engine, I heard ruffle sound from bottom of engine room and big engine noise. please review my compliant and what really should do?*ak
- Power train
Odometer on vehicle IS not reading speed correctly. Contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything.ak
- Suspension › Front
Re: BMW 525I wagon with sports package. Caster in front wheels permanently maladjusted such that at about 8,000miles severe cupping IS caused on inside of tire tread, resulting in major road noise and possible safety issue. Only fix IS to replace tires. Have done so twice. Informed by knowledgable persons that this IS a problem in many of these models.
- Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual
The consumer purchased vehicle based on information stated in brochure that the vehicle was installed with rear side airbags option which also included rear head protection airbag, it turns out only the sedan IS equipped with the additional head protection airbag, owners manual information IS not stated properly. nlm
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10249437The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10247567Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low CDA594 - Message (- 0x33E) missing, receiver DME, transmitter TFE
- 10245422Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicles equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm LED in the interior mirror does not briefly flash every 2 seconds, indicating the alarm is armed.
- 10160287TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10160244TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10154816In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support page. This page will allow IRFs to check their customers VINs for open Takata recalls; and get rewarded for helping us with completing repairs.
- 10153726Takata class action settlement. Customer support program. Front driver side airbag modules.
- 10152674Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide
- 10149557For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer Support Program Overview attachment. This ?component-specific? customer support program applies only if there is a defect in materials or workmanship of the Takata driver?s side airbag module in a listed vehicle.
- 10135028SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module.
- 10037025BMW: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
- 10033130BMW vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. Where it IS necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery unit (suction jet assembly) do not need to be replaced as well. In some cases, epc does not show that the repair kit IS available separately in the illustration, but it IS available in the parts description. All models. No model years listed.
Every BMW 525I model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.