2001 BMW 5 Series
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 2001 BMW 5 Series. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 2001 BMW 5 Series. Newest first.
ZF Group North America Operations (ZF) is recalling certain Lemförder Steering Center Rods sold as aftermarket parts for 1996-2004 BMW 5-Series (E39) vehicles. The steering center rods may have an insufficient ball pin pull force that may allow the rods to detach from the steering knuckle.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the steering rod detaches from the steerable wheel knuckle, it can cause sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
ZF has notified the parts distributors, instructing them to inform the end customer. ZF will reimburse them for the affected parts. The recall began August 28, 2019.
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may…
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Remedy
Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
Owner complaints
3 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Exterior lighting · Visibility
The headlight's have manual adjusters on each side, both of my headlights point towards the ground because they are broken, I tried to adjust the beam and both sides just click. This IS a major safety hazard because at night it limits your vision ahead to about 10 to 20 feet. I own other vehicle's…
The headlight's have manual adjusters on each side, both of my headlights point towards the ground because they are broken, I tried to adjust the beam and both sides just click. This IS a major safety hazard because at night it limits your vision ahead to about 10 to 20 feet. I own other vehicle's that are older than this vehicle and the headlights have never been a problem. I am a member of a forum for this particular model car and more than half, if not every member has encountered this problem. The solution from my dealer was to replace both headlights for a total of $1000.00 plus. I don't think a headlight should have to be replaced on a vehicle and this IS a well known and documented problem. The safety of my family IS at risk because of the poor design of these headlights. The adjuster's just click and the headlights always point towards the ground, im pretty sure it was made this was to increase visibility of the road and hazards ahead but if the mechanism IS broken then the safety has been compromised. While driving at night my vision ahead IS very limited, it presents a very serious safety hazard because you should have a better view of the road ahead of you as other car's have. This should be addressed and it should have been a recall by bmwna for all USA owners of this type of headlight. *tr
- Electrical system
Failure of the information cluster, missing pixels)....mileage and other information can not be read.*tr
- Structure
BMW X5 with 15,000 miles had such extensive rust in the front end parts that the repair cost over $2,000. *Tr
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.
- 10244242Various functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (ADCAM system) can lead to customer complaints.
- 10135028SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module.
- 10051519BMW: the high-voltage (hv) battery cells could be damaged if the vehicle IS prevented from entering sleep mode for an extended period of time. Updated 03/11/2013
- 10051439BMW: intermittently goes into park during a msa engine start. The transmission can intermittently go into the park position (p) when msa engine start IS occurring. A drive gear can be selected in order to drive away, and no relevant faults are stored.
- 10044024BMW: wipers lights and front power windows are inoperative. This situation may start and lead to a permanent fault. Also included model F07 (5 series gran turismo) model years up to march 2012.
- 10040853BMW: a grinding noise IS coming from the differential during slow cornering. When turning a slip/stick effect IS created on the lining and steel discs incorporated in the differential clutch causes a grinding noise.
- 10040852BMW: the service engine soon light IS on. There are trouble codes stored for the crankshaft sensor. No driveability issues.
- 10040057BMW: wiring on the headlights may have deteriorated due to environmental conditions and the cover not being secured properly. E60/e92. Updated 9/30/11.
- 10037025BMW: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
- 10037010BMW: six different models equipped with the M54 engine could have valve covers break in cold weather and ruin the engine. This IS due to moisture accumulation.
- 10036979BMW: a new technical process has been created for BMW to identify causes of steering complaints with a wide range of models.
- 10035246BMW vehicles: replaced seat occupancy sensor mat will not enable. After replacing a cis (capacitive sensing passenger occupancy mat), the new mat will not enable when using ista/p. However, ista/p shows that the acsm (active crash safety module) was coded correctly. The following faults are stored in the acsm control module:9309ed, 9309f4 and 930a23. Adsm coding
- 10035244BMW vehicle: adaptive headlights. A check control (cc) message IS displayed for the adaptive headlights. The headlamps no longer turn with steering wheel movement. Fault code 800fc6 IS entered in the footwell module (FRM3). A second turn signal request IS made at the exact moment when the steering wheel IS automatically cancelling from a previous turn signal request. F07 (5 series), F01, F02, F07 (7 series).
- 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.
- 10032987BMW: instrument cluster-failure of displays/functions. Total or partial failure of displays or functions in the instrument cluster. The displays or functions start working again after the vehicle has been parked (sleep mode). Internal error in the processing of incoming messages from the k can bus. There may be various can message errors stored in the fault memory.
- 10032849BMW vehicle: dsc disabling function. Due to revised dme, dsc and ccc software, the mdm (m dynamic mode) button located in the center console switch cluster (szm) now has triple functionality-default state-dsc on; short press-mdm on (green mdm indicator displayed in the cluster); press and hold-dsc off (yellow dsc indicator displayed in the cluster; message appears in the control display). No model years listed.
- 10032825BMW vehicle: sport transmission paddle shifters inoperative-diagnosis. The direct communication input line between the paddle shifters and the egs transmission control module IS interrupted. No model years listed.
- 10032809BMW vehicle: N54 turbocharger waste gate control noises and operation. After turning off engine, a slight rattle noise IS heard from the engine compartment. This noise IS similar to a mechanical typewriter. In addition, the complaints of a slight reduction of power similar to an increased turbo lag. The vacuum supply to the waste gates may be restricted or blocked. No model years listed.
- 10032781BMW vehicle: driveability complaints due to cooling fan relay failure. The customer may complain of intermittent driveability problems, described as-engine IS lacking power when accelerating uphill; transmission will not upshift under heavy acceleration; distinct hesitation when accelerating from 30-45mph. No model years listed.
- 10032780BMW vehicle: service engine soon light illuminated: s85-various vanos related faults stored. (E60 (5series), E63 & E64 (6series). No model years listed.
- 10032779BMW vehicle: the service engine soon (mil) lamp IS illuminated and a power reduction IS clearly perceptible. This situation may occur after driving for some time with the engine already at full operating temperature. If the ignition IS cycled, the engine then usually performs normally. Updated 2/7/11. Updated on 06/09/2011. Updated 8/10/11. Updated 1/11/13.
- 10032650BMW: service engine soon lamp illuminated-fc 23F4 map thermostat. In some vehicles have insufficient heat. E90, E91 (3 series), E60, E61 (5 series) 3/06 and E83 (X3 series) 9/08.
- 10029684BMW: service engine soon lamp or the check gas cap warnings are illuminated while driving. When diagnosed, the dme has stored faults for small leak, micro leak, super fine leak, or large leak in relation to the tank ventilation or evaporative system updated 10/27/09.
- 10029605BMW service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. The airbag warning lamp (awl) IS illuminated, together with the passenger airbag status lamp (pol). The problem may be intermittent. Microcracks in the OC3 seat mat. Updated 9/30/11.
- 10029444BMW: vehicle has a check control message self leveling suspension failed/malfunctioning displayed. At least one of the following fault codes IS stored and IS currently present in the ehc control unit: 5F98 control time fault lifting rear left; 5F99 control time fault lifting rear right; 5F9A control time fault lifting. Model years unknown. Updated 11/17/10.
- 10029257BMW: all instrument dials are inoperative and the illumination of the information display in the instrument cluster IS very bright.
- 10029025BMW: small number of vehicles experience problems ranging from leaking oil filler caps, leaking or broken valve covers, to complete engine failure in extremely cold climate conditions. Moisture accumulating in engine crankcase ventilation valve or hoses can freeze due to low ambient temperatures.
- 10025983BMW: headlamp moisture: fault diagnostics. Water or condensation in one or both headlamps. Models 5 series, 6 series, 7 series, X5, X6, 1 series, and 3 series. Model years 2000-20008.
- 10025584N54 rattle noise from turbocharger area. Models E90, E92 and E93 (3 series) 335I and 335xi; E60 and E61 (5 series) 535I and 535xi, all with N54 engine from the start of production to january 17, 2008 production.
- 10025573N52 edk throttle jamming faults 2D09, 2CED and 2CEC. Model E90 and E91 (3 series) and E60 and E61 (5 series), all models up to 11/2005 with N52 engine.
- 10025571Instrument cluster: failure of displays/functions. Model E60, E61 (5 series) and E63, E64 (6 series).
- 10024510Recode or replace OC3 seat mat. Vehicles produced up to march 31, 2005.
- 10015410Check engine lamp illuminated and/or vehicle overheats. BMW E90 (3 series) all E90 (3 series) and E60 (5 series) models equipped with N52 engine.
- 628401Customers may complain of a discharged battery with the alpine CD53 radio.
- 621535Subject regarding new vehicle preparation and maintenance requirements.
- 618601Subject regarding new vehicle preparation and maintenance requirements.
Every BMW 5 Series model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.