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Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2001 BMW 5 Series recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2001 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 5
Park-it warnings: 2
Complaints: 101
Latest campaign: Jan 14, 2019

Recall summary by component5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Park‑it	Latest	Campaign IDs
Air bags	3	2	Jan 14, 2019	19V015000 17V047000 03V421000
Engine and engine cooling	2	–	May 16, 2002	02V138000 01V206000

Safety recalls5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

2Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jan 14, 2019Latest campaign


Jan 14, 201919V015000	Air bags: frontal driver side An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 19V015000 What's wrong 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 steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. 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. Filed under 525i, 530i, 540i Campaign NHTSA 19V015000 · Jan 14, 2019
Jan 20, 201717V047000	Air bags: frontal driver side 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… Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 17V047000 What's wrong 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 vehicles, and 2001-2003 X5 3.0i, X5 4.4i, and X5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. 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 inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 525, 530, 540 Campaign NHTSA 17V047000 · Jan 20, 2017
Oct 24, 200303V421000	Air bags: frontal sensor/control module-inactive UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG(S) COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF AN OCCUPANT IS TOO CLOSE TO THE DEPLOYING AIR BAG(S). DetailsHide details for campaign 03V421000 What's wrong 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 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. Filed under 525i, 525ia, 525it, 525ita, 530i, 530ia, 540i, 540ia, 540iat Campaign NHTSA 03V421000 · Oct 24, 2003
May 16, 200202V138000	Engine and engine cooling: cooling system fan IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. DetailsHide details for campaign 02V138000 What's wrong 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 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. Filed under 525i, 525ia, 525it, 525ita, 530i, 530ia, 540i, 540ia, 540ita Campaign NHTSA 02V138000 · May 16, 2002
Jun 21, 200101V206000	Engine and engine cooling: cooling system fan IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. DetailsHide details for campaign 01V206000 What's wrong 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 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. Filed under 525i, 525ia, 525it, 525ita, 530i, 530ia, 540i, 540ia, 540ita Campaign NHTSA 01V206000 · Jun 21, 2001

Merged from NHTSA model names: 525i, 530i, 540i, 525, 530, 540, 525ia, 525it, 525ita, 530ia, 540ia, 540iat, 540ita. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2001 BMW 5 Series? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component101

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

101Complaints filed

8Involving a crash

14Involving a fire

13Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Air bags	21	21	4	0	7
Electrical system	19	19	0	7	0
Engine and engine cooling	19	19	0	4	1
Power train	13	13	0	0	0
Engine	8	8	1	6	0
Fuel/propulsion system	6	6	1	1	1
Vehicle speed control	5	5	3	0	3
Exterior lighting	4	4	0	0	0
Steering	4	4	0	0	0
Seats	4	4	1	1	2
Structure	3	3	1	0	1
Service brakes	3	3	0	0	0
Hydraulic	3	3	0	0	0
Unknown or other	3	3	0	0	1
Electronic stability control (ESC)	3	3	0	0	0

5 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names 5 Series, 525, 525I, 525IA, 528I, 530, 530I, 530IA, 540, 540I, 540IA.

Latest reports

Air bags
“The contact owns a 2001 BMW 540i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: (17V047000 (AIR BAGS) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list.”
Filed 03/03/2026 · ODI 11721725
Engine and engine cooling
“The contact owns a 2001 BMW 5301. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the warning light that the engine was overheating was displayed on the instrument cluster.”
Filed 05/02/2025 · ODI 11658526
Electrical system
“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.”
Filed 12/25/2024 · ODI 11632314

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2001 BMW 5 Series recall questions

How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 5 Series have?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 2001 BMW 5 Series. The most recent, 19V015000 (reported January 14, 2019), concerns air bags. 2 campaigns carry a park-it or park-outside warning. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2001 BMW 5 Series recalls for?

The largest group is air bags, with 3 campaigns. Others: engine and engine cooling (2). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2001 BMW 5 Series?

Air bags is the most-reported component, named in 21 complaints out of 101 filed with NHTSA (21%). Across all complaints, owners reported 8 crashs and 14 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2001 BMW 5 Series?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised BMW dealer.

Check a specific BMW by VIN

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