2002 BMW 530I
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 2002 BMW 530I. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 2002 BMW 530I. 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.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please…
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with 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 replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
On certain passenger vehicles, during the strut mount manufacturing process, the thrust bearing was not properly positions and secured. if the suspension IS fully unloaded, the front strut could separate from the upper mount.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace both front spring strut upper mounts. owner notification began march 15, 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 1-800-831-1117.
Vehicle description: during the tire mounting process on certain passenger vehicles built with standard (non-sport) suspension and equipped with continental contitouringcontact CH95 ecoplus tires, size 225/65r16 95H, having dot codes 4001, 4101, or 4201, the outer sidewall surface of the tires may have been cut by a sharp edge. operation of the vehicle…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Continued driving with low inflation pressure in the tire could ultimately result in damage to the tire, affect vehicle handling and control, and could in some cases result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect all five tires for a possible cut in the sidewall, and if a cut IS found, the tire will be replaced. owner notification began december 10, 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
29 complaints4 involved a crash3 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Tires
We purchased two identical new Pirelli P Zero P245/35/ZR20 91Y tires and had them professionally installed. The mechanic noticed that after installation one of the tires pulled hard to one side. The vehicle was aligned but the issue persisted, so they moved the tire to the other vehicle side.…
We purchased two identical new Pirelli P Zero P245/35/ZR20 91Y tires and had them professionally installed. The mechanic noticed that after installation one of the tires pulled hard to one side. The vehicle was aligned but the issue persisted, so they moved the tire to the other vehicle side. Now the vehicle pulled to that side, at which point we were told the problem was the tire, either a belt separation or other internal tire manufacturing defect. They suggested we contact the manufacturer and get a warranty replacement tire. We have been trying for weeks to get a replacement tire sent out from Pirelli, but they have been unwilling to work with us.
- Steering
Not sure what I'm supposed to write. I seen that there IS a recall on something to do with the steering. And that consequences for failure of that part can be less of control that dont sound safe at all.
- Electrical system
Came out in morning after parking car in driveway and it wouldn't start. Smelled funny. Had it towed. Mechanic found my lcm had caught fire. All wiring and harness melted.
- Electronic stability control (esc) · Steering · Suspension
I have coolant leaks and power steering leaks and oil leaks , my alignment in batires are inward causing my tires to worn out quick, electric problem sometimes car won't start randomly making me to jump start it, my suspension IS bad not sure why but causing my tire traction light go on makes it very hard to stay in control of car when driving on freeway
- Air bags
Takata airbag recall
- Air bags · Unknown or other
I got I recall for repair of airgag, but I dont feel safe at all on this car, spoke to north america BMW to chang the car and replace it they refuse even they put my life on danger with a defect car since I bought it.
- Air bags
I have called (877.432.7841) every time I received a notice of our airbag recall. they can never get in contact with a dealer in my area to get this fixed. I have called and been put on hold 3 times for an extended time and am told to 'call back later'. if this IS an urgent recall and the airbag IS defective I would like this remedied asap as this IS a family vehicle my wife and kids ride in
- Air bags
Takata recall. receive recall notification in july 2015. received resolution notification in september 2016. BMW dealer has refused to inspect or replace driver side airbag despite having copies of the recall notices. Shop manager at alexandria BMW told me he would call me back after checking with his "distributer. that was in october 2016. still has not heard from him.
- Air bags
"Takata recall" recall received from BMW july 2015. final remedy notice received sept 2016. local dealer (alexandria BMW) refused to replace driver-side front air bag module. BMW of north america notified on october 6, 2016, but has not responded. the vin number does not appear on your web…
"Takata recall" recall received from BMW july 2015. final remedy notice received sept 2016. local dealer (alexandria BMW) refused to replace driver-side front air bag module. BMW of north america notified on october 6, 2016, but has not responded. the vin number does not appear on your web page, but the manufacture sent the notices to us with this vin number. notice on the recalls page, this IS a 5-series vehicle equipped with the optional sports steering wheel.so it IS covered by nhtsa campaign number 15v318000. *tr
- Air bags
TL* the contact owns a 2002 BMW 530I. The contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) in july of 2015. The dealer stated that the part was not available for repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.
- Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
TL* the contact owns a 2002 BMW 530I. the contact stated that while driving 15 mph, the heated seat warmer was activated to a low setting when the seat became extremely hot. There was smoke and an abnormal odor present. As a result, a hole burned through the front driver's side seat. The vehicle…
TL* the contact owns a 2002 BMW 530I. the contact stated that while driving 15 mph, the heated seat warmer was activated to a low setting when the seat became extremely hot. There was smoke and an abnormal odor present. As a result, a hole burned through the front driver's side seat. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000. the vin was unavailable.
- Seats
The front seat get twisted here IS a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm3hkvkglxm. *tr
- Power train
At 78,600 miles the check light illuminated. Diagnosis was p0741 (BMW code 48) which IS a fault with the torque converter clutch (tcc). This failure until corrected results in lower fuel mileage, and a guaranteed failure to pass the emissions test during state mandated vehicle inspections. Add to…
At 78,600 miles the check light illuminated. Diagnosis was p0741 (BMW code 48) which IS a fault with the torque converter clutch (tcc). This failure until corrected results in lower fuel mileage, and a guaranteed failure to pass the emissions test during state mandated vehicle inspections. Add to this that continued use of the vehicle will likely result in transmission damage since the tcc lockup clutch IS slipping resulting in debris building up in the fluid. This fault IS due to a defective torque converter clutch seal that BMW has a hidden service bulletin on. See si 24 03 06 dated february 2008. Replacement of the torque converter IS expensive. BMW dealer quoted a bit more than $3000 for the replacement. I've since determined through a BMW forum that this issue IS widespread with a large number of failures taking place. I was told by the dealer that the seal in question has not been updated and that failure of the seal will likely take place again in the future. *Tr *kb
- Engine and engine cooling
I started the vehicle and the fan exploded. The plastic blades pierced the hood and in addition to the fan and fan clutch being gone, the fan shroud IS gone, and it cut the power steering, oil filter, and upper radiator hoses. *tr
- Power train › Automatic transmission
I recently purchased a 2002 BMW 530I on august 24, 2011 and about three weeks in to owning the vehicle the check engine light came on. It seems the code reads p0741 i.e. Torque converter solenoid circuit stuck off. The vehicle only has 107K on it however, doesn't seem to have any misfire or…
I recently purchased a 2002 BMW 530I on august 24, 2011 and about three weeks in to owning the vehicle the check engine light came on. It seems the code reads p0741 i.e. Torque converter solenoid circuit stuck off. The vehicle only has 107K on it however, doesn't seem to have any misfire or transmission issues while driving. I took the vehicle to BMW for an inspection/checkup to be sure there were no major issues and they gave it a thumbs up however, this was before the code/check engine light was engaged on the dashed board of the vehicle. based on the service bulletin for BMW it appears this should be covered since it's a common occurrence. I need to find out how to get this problem rectified. *Tr
- Structure › Body
TL* the contact owns a 2002 BMW 530I. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was exposed to rainy conditions, water would enter and flood the vehicle through the doors. The water was able to enter the vehicle through the door panels due to the materials that the panels were manufactured from…
TL* the contact owns a 2002 BMW 530I. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was exposed to rainy conditions, water would enter and flood the vehicle through the doors. The water was able to enter the vehicle through the door panels due to the materials that the panels were manufactured from, as well as improper sealing. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
- Seats
Heated driver seat will burn leg or back. heater has burned hole through leather. Plaza motors / st. Louis mo informed me that BMW will not fix. Heater IS a fire hazard and should be recalled. *Tr
- Engine and engine cooling
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 BMW 530I. While driving approximately 30 mph, a cloud of smoke was emitted from the hood and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle would not restart so it was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was told oil separator failed, resulting in a complete loss of oil.…
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 BMW 530I. While driving approximately 30 mph, a cloud of smoke was emitted from the hood and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle would not restart so it was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was told oil separator failed, resulting in a complete loss of oil. The vehicle was repaired. The failure occurred three times. After each failure, the vehicle was taken back to an authorized dealer to be repaired. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 120,000.
- Latches/locks/linkages
I own a 2002 BMW 530I ,i have replaced the key 3 times since purchasing the car and now the dealer said its time to get a new one. Turns out that this will not fix the problem which has slowly been getting worse. That problem IS the central locking system IS broken. You have to open doors manually…
I own a 2002 BMW 530I ,i have replaced the key 3 times since purchasing the car and now the dealer said its time to get a new one. Turns out that this will not fix the problem which has slowly been getting worse. That problem IS the central locking system IS broken. You have to open doors manually with either the key in the door or reach over and unlock it by hand. the dome light IS no longer working as IS the trunk unlock feature which you have to do by physically inserting the key in the lock the dealers say the cost to repair this IS in excess of 900us$ ,an absolute disgrace for this component with no guarantee . *tr
- Power train › Automatic transmission
I have a 2002 BMW 530I with auto transmission. Tranny model 5hp19. at around 85,000, sometime in mid-july 2006, I began to have an intermittent (on for maybe 300-500 miles, then off for around 7000 to 10000 miles) check engine light. The cel code was always diagnosed as p0741 - "torque converter…
I have a 2002 BMW 530I with auto transmission. Tranny model 5hp19. at around 85,000, sometime in mid-july 2006, I began to have an intermittent (on for maybe 300-500 miles, then off for around 7000 to 10000 miles) check engine light. The cel code was always diagnosed as p0741 - "torque converter clutch circuit performance or stuck off." since 120,000 miles, the same code IS much more frequent, maybe 600-800 miles between turning on-off. I have contacted my BMW dealership about this since the first time it occurred at around 85,000 miles, and a few times after since. They said the transmission would need to be rebuilt ay my cost, although this IS a very common occurrence and there IS a service bulletin on this. After talking to other BMW owners with the same problem, and getting a copy of the service bulletin, it would seem that this IS a commonly known and recurring problem that should have been fixed. I believe that BMW should fix this problem at their cost, even if the vehicle IS of high mileage (as mine has 160,000 miles now.) the service bulletin says the problem IS a bad torque converter seal. Here IS partial text of the BMW service bulletin: this service information bulletin supersedes si 24 03 06 dated february 2008. designates changes to this revision subject zf 5hp19 transmission - diagnosis of egs fc 048 (30 hex) model E46: 323I, 325I, 330I with m52tu, M54, M56 and zf 5hp19 E39: 525I, 530I with M54 and zf 5hp19 E85: Z4 roadster 2.5, 3.0 with M54 and zf 5hp19 situation "service engine soon" IS illuminated and fault code 048 "converter lock-up excessive slip" (30 hex or p0741) IS stored in the egs transmission control module. cause possible cause: deterioration of the torque converter turbine shaft seal *end service bulletin text* all I simply want IS BMW to repair the problem at their cost. The problem causes the check engine light, which prevents me from obtaining a clear smog test on my car to register it. *Tr
- Vehicle speed control
TL* the contact owns a 2002 BMW 530I. the contact stated while reversing out of a parking space at 5 mph, the vehicle rapidly accelerated crashing into another vehicle causing damage to the rear and front of the vehicle. no one was injured during the crash. after the crash the contact returned the vehicle to the dealer. the failure mileage was 93,000.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 BMW 530I. while driving 25 mph, the engine stalled without warning. there was a loss of power brakes and steering. the vehicle would not restart and was towed. the dealer stated that moisture accumulated in the engine and froze. also, the internal valve became stuck…
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 BMW 530I. while driving 25 mph, the engine stalled without warning. there was a loss of power brakes and steering. the vehicle would not restart and was towed. the dealer stated that moisture accumulated in the engine and froze. also, the internal valve became stuck, which caused the engine failure. the oil separator repair kit was replaced. the current and failure mileages were 60,142 .updated 04/25/08 *bf
- Vehicle speed control
We were driving on dry tarmac on a main street in new rochelle. We were traveling at a reasonable/slow rate of speed, about 25-30 mph and approached a stop light. As we slowed to stop at the light the breaks pulsed violently. It felt as if we had run over something, but I looked and there was…
We were driving on dry tarmac on a main street in new rochelle. We were traveling at a reasonable/slow rate of speed, about 25-30 mph and approached a stop light. As we slowed to stop at the light the breaks pulsed violently. It felt as if we had run over something, but I looked and there was nothing there. We looked to see if any warning lights activated to indicate a failure - but we didn't see any. We proceed to next light, and stopped again. This time there was no problem and no pulsing. My fiance was driving, and we both were carefully monitoring the car. As we pulled away from the light to make a left turn the car accelerated dramatically. My fiancee pushed hard on the brakes but the car continued to accelerate and fish tail. Then, after a couple seconds it stop and she regained control of the car. *nm
- Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
While driving 40 mph driver's side airbag deployed inadvertently. No injuries reported. *Ak
- Vehicle speed control
I own a 2002 BMW 530I. recently, the car accelerated to full throttle by itself. I reported incident to BMW. to summarize, they said there IS nothing wrong with the car and it was probably the floor mat that caused the acceleration (that's right, the floor mat). *nm
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.
- 10218384Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column. Note: Opening, closing and starting via the BMW Digital Key or the Digital Key Card are not affected.
- 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.
- 10036979BMW: a new technical process has been created for BMW to identify causes of steering complaints with a wide range of models.
- 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 530I model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.