2001 BMW 5 Series
Typical pattern 7.4% of complaints about the 2001 BMW 5 Series came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2001 vehicle — around the middle of the 216 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 9.1 yr in service. The most-reported system is air bags (22 complaints), typically at 6.6 yr or about 87,000 miles.
Covers 8 variants: 525I (31), 530I (29), 540I (18), 530 (12), 530IA (11), 540IA (8), 540 (5), 525 (5)
- Complaints
- 122
- Median age at failure
- 9.1 yr
- Median mileage
- 87,000 n=88
- Crash / fire / tow
- 29.5% of reports
- Safety recalls
- 2
19E058000 2019-08-28
Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting
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.
If the steering rod detaches from the steerable wheel knuckle, it can cause sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
12E029000 2012-08-10
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan
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 overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
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.
Electrical system 36,000 mi 5.9 yr in service
FAILURE OF THE INFORMATION CLUSTER, MISSING PIXELS)....MILEAGE AND OTHER INFORMATION CAN NOT BE READ.*TR
Electrical system 41,200 mi 4.4 yr in service crash / fire / tow
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.
Electrical system 206,000 mi 17.2 yr in service crash / fire / tow
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.
Engine cooling mileage not reported 1.0 yr in service crash / fire / tow
ENGINE COMPARTMENT STARTED SMOKING. CONSUMER PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND SHUT VEHICLE OFF. SERVICE MANAGER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. ELECTRICAL COMPONETS IN FAN WERE BURNED OUT. CONSUMER STATED THIS PROBLEM STARTED AFTER RECALL WAS PERFORMED. DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER TO ATTACHED RECALL INFORMATION.*AK *YH