Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 7 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
7 reports
124,000 miles · Aug 25, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire
CAR HAD EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE OVERHEATING. AT THE TIME OF INCIDENTS THE OVERHEATING WAS A MYSTERY, UNTIL AFTER INCIDENT WAS THAT IT WAS LEARNED THAT THESE VEHICLES DISPLAY PROBLEMS WITH AUXILIARY FAN WHICH CAUSES ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND DEVELOP IRREPARABLE DAMAGES. AN ELECTRICAL FIRE DEVELOP IN ENGINE BAY WHICH DESTROY ALL WIRING…
Read full complaint
CAR HAD EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE OVERHEATING. AT THE TIME OF INCIDENTS THE OVERHEATING WAS A MYSTERY, UNTIL AFTER INCIDENT WAS THAT IT WAS LEARNED THAT THESE VEHICLES DISPLAY PROBLEMS WITH AUXILIARY FAN WHICH CAUSES ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND DEVELOP IRREPARABLE DAMAGES. AN ELECTRICAL FIRE DEVELOP IN ENGINE BAY WHICH DESTROY ALL WIRING, FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION. ALSO, THE BLOCK (WHICH IS ALLOY OR WEAK ALUMINUM) WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIRED. HEADS WERE REPLACED AND IT WAS HEN THAT I LEARNED BLOCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. AS A RESULT, ENTIRE ENGINE WAS SWAPPED, AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED. I CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA VIA EMAIL AND TELEPHONE TO INQUIRE ABOUT RECALLS REGARDING THIS MATTER. THERE ARE RECALLS ON THE ABOVE MENTIONED FACTORY DEFECTS, BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED. I ALREADY SPENT AROUND $8,000.00 IN REPAIRS BECAUSE BMW CLAIM MY VEHICLES IS NOT COVERED. WHY IS IT NOT COVERED WHEN IT IS PRESENTING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE CARS COVERED BY RECALL. ALSO, BECAUSE OF BMW NEGLECT IN INCLUDING MY VEHICLES, I ALREADY SPENT THOUSAND OF DOLLARS AND THE LIVES OF HUMANS BEING WERE PUT IN JEOPARDY. UNFORTUNATELY, THE AUXILIARY FAN IN Y 5 SERIES IS STILL NOT WORKING AND IT COST BETWEEN 3-5 HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPLACE AND THAT IS NOT INCLUDING LABOR. WHY DO I HAVE TO SPEND SO MUCH MONEY WHEN BMW SHOULD HAVE BUILT AN EXCELLENT QUALITY CAR FOR THE MONEY THAT THIS VEHICLE COST. THE ENGINE BLOCK MATERIAL IS OF BAD QUALITY AND ITS ELECTRONIC SYSTEM OF EXTREMELY BAD QUALITY AND BMW DOES NOT WANT TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT ND STILL CLAIM TO BE, "THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE" A CHEAP CELICA OR COROLLA IS OF BETTER QUALITY FOR FAR LESS MONEY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472443
118,000 miles · Dec 20, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE ABS ELECTRONIC MODULE FAILS. IN THIS CASE IT LASTED A LONG TIME BUT WHEN IT FAILS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) AND DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC) WON'T FUNCTION. BASED ON WEB FORUMS THIS PART SEEMS TO HAVE A HIGH FAILURE RATE (AND NOT JUST IN BMW'S) BUT IF WE DON'T REPORT THE PROBLEM HERE, THE PEOPLE WHO CAN DO SOMETHI…
Read full complaint
THE ABS ELECTRONIC MODULE FAILS. IN THIS CASE IT LASTED A LONG TIME BUT WHEN IT FAILS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) AND DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC) WON'T FUNCTION. BASED ON WEB FORUMS THIS PART SEEMS TO HAVE A HIGH FAILURE RATE (AND NOT JUST IN BMW'S) BUT IF WE DON'T REPORT THE PROBLEM HERE, THE PEOPLE WHO CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT WILL NEVER KNOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10440640
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2002
EquipmentExterior LightingStructure
THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE WOULD FALL AND SCRAPE THE FREEWAY, PAVEMENT, OR ROAD. ON ONE INCIDENT, WHEN THE UNDERCARRIAGE HAD FELL, THE BUMBER HAD LOST A SCREW THAT MADE THE BUMPER HANG DOWN ABOUT 4 INCHES. *SCC
NHTSA ODI #567825
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2002
Electrical System
VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO LOSS OF POWER, CRUISE CONTROL AND AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE, AND OTHER SWITCHES WILL GO OUT ON THEIR OWN. DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO ACTUALLY CORRECT THE ERRATIC PERFORMANCE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8016663
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND HAD THE RECALL FOR THE AUXILLARY FAN WORKED ON. THE FAN IS EXTREMEMLY NOISY AND WHINES OVER THE SOUND OF THE RADIO. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE REPLACEMENT FAN WAS LOUDER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, THERE WAS A SENSOR OR SOME OTHER ITEM STICKING UP IN THE VENT DUCTS.(2…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND HAD THE RECALL FOR THE AUXILLARY FAN WORKED ON. THE FAN IS EXTREMEMLY NOISY AND WHINES OVER THE SOUND OF THE RADIO. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE REPLACEMENT FAN WAS LOUDER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, THERE WAS A SENSOR OR SOME OTHER ITEM STICKING UP IN THE VENT DUCTS.(2001 BMW 530I) *JG
NHTSA ODI #565307
Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #754750
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFireInjury
WHILE DRIVING AT 50-55 MPH CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE. SHE PULLED OVER AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE WAS PUT OUT, CAME FROM COOLING FAN AREA. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN, CONSUMER SUFFERED SMOKE INHALATION. *AK
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2001 BMW 530 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration