2001 BMW 530I — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
29
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2001 BMW 530I
The 2001 BMW 530I has received a total of 29 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Trainautomatic Transmission (5 complaints), Engine And Engine Cooling (4 complaints), and Fuelpropulsion System (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 2001 BMW 530I
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2001 BMW 530I, potentially affecting up to 258,568 vehicles.
Recall 19V015000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 157,549 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 03V421000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
| 23,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 01V206000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
| 76,469 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 02V138000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
| 1,550 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2001 BMW 530I
29 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 BMW 530I. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagssidewindow | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingheadlights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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. The contact stated that the failure had occurred at various speeds, and the vehicle stalled due to the engine overheating. The contact was constantly refilling the coolant reservoir monthly. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, and the radiator hoses were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V138000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was informed of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
MAJOR FUEL LEAK UNDER ENGINE OF CAR ON A COLD START (COLDER TEMPS ~40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR LESS). FUEL SMELL IMMEDIATELY ON START UP, WITH A STEADY STREAM FUEL DRIPPING UNDER THE CAR...FUEL LINES THE DRIVEWAY WHEN BACKING OUT. DRIPPING APPEARS TO STOP AFTER CAR WARMS UP, SO MULTIPLE FAILED ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE ISSUE. HOWEVER, NOW CAN SEE THAT ALL INJECTORS LEAK AND SPRAY FUEL FROM THE HOUSING...APPEARS TO BE WHERE THE PLASTIC AND METAL MEETS. CAR RUNS FINE THROUGHOUT THIS TIME. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS ARE KNOWN TO BE FAULTY AND THE PROBLEM WAS SUBSEQUENTLY CORRECTED AT SOME POINT. THERE IS ENOUGH FUEL POURING OUT TO QUICKLY IGNITE AND BURN UP THE CAR, GARAGE, AND HOME IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. SHOP QUOTED WELL OVER $2K TO REPLACE THE INJECTORS, AND WAS UNCERTAIN IF IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. ASKED ME TO TOW THE CAR FROM THEIR LOT, FOR FEAR IT WOULD IGNITE. CLEARLY A DANGEROUS ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND IT I AM SHOCKED TO SEE THERE IS INFO ONLINE AND AT NHTSA, BUT NO SAFETY RECALL.
AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT RECENTLY ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING CAR. NOW COMES ON EACH TIME CAR IS DRIVEN.
WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK 2.3 MILES NO A/C ON PULLED IN DRIVEWAY CAR WAS WISSLING SMOKE WATER POUR OUT EVERYWHERE . TEMP GAGE DID NOT SHOW OVER HEATED. ALL COOLANT GONE BURST AND LEAKED OUT BUTTOM OF ENGINE.
REVERSE TRNSMISSION NOT WORKING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIENT.
Safety Rating for the 2001 BMW 530I
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2001 BMW 530I in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2001 BMW 530I
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2001 BMW 530I
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW 530I
- 2000 BMW 530I — 0 complaints
- 2001 BMW 530I (current)
- 2002 BMW 530I — 32 complaints
- 2003 BMW 530I — 61 complaints
- 2004 BMW 530I — 175 complaints
- 2005 BMW 530I — 84 complaints
- 2006 BMW 530I — 128 complaints