2001 BMW X5 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
214
Owner Complaints
12
Recalls
6
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2001 BMW X5
The 2001 BMW X5 has received a total of 214 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 12 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. 6 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch (16 complaints), Electrical System (15 complaints), and Air Bags (14 complaints).
Recalls for the 2001 BMW X5
NHTSA has recorded 12 recalls for the 2001 BMW X5, potentially affecting up to 463,664 vehicles.
Recall 25V748000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 5,361 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 X5 vehicles that may be equipped with a sport steering wheel containing a Takata PSDI-4 air bag inflator. The inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
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 remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's front air bag, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2025. Owners may contact BMW...
View full details →Recall 17V047000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 230,117 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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,...
View full details →Recall 03V001000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 84,000 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE FRONT BRAKE LINE TO SLIP OUT OF THE RETAINING BRACKET LOCATED AT THE FRONT STRUT. THE BRAKE HOSE THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE LINE COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE TIRE AND BE SUBJECTED TO WEAR AND ABRASION.
Consequence: THIS COULD INITIALLY CAUSE SOME BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, AND EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. THERE COULD BE A NOTICEABLE REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCE IF A LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE OCCURS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL RETAINING CLIP TO FURTHER SECURE THE BRAKE LINE TO THE FRONT STRUT. ADDITIONALLY, IF INSPECTION OF ANY BRAKE HOSE INDICATES THAT IT HAS EXPERIENCED DAMAGE, THE HOSE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 14,...
View full details →Recall 02V194000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
| 34,860 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM PIVOT SHAFT COULD LOOSEN FROM ITS SUPPORT BRACKET.
Consequence: EVENTUALLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM COULD DETACH FROM THE BRACKET, RENDERING THE SERVICE BRAKING SYSTEM INEFFECTIVE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM PIVOT SHAFT FOR PROPER SEATING IN ITS SUPPORT BRACKET. IN ADDITION, A PIN WILL BE INSTALLED TO SECURE THE SHAFT TO THE BRACKET. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR...
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 01V197000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
| 36 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. DUE TO AN ASSEMBLY ERROR, ONE OR BOTH SELF-LOCKING NUTS THAT SECURE THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO THE BOOSTER MAY HAVE BEEN CROSS-THREADED ON THE BOOSTER STUDS THAT PROTRUDE THROUGH THE FIREWALL. IN SUCH A CASE, THE NUT(S) WOULD NOT BE FULLY SEATED ON THE STUD(S).
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURRED, THE EFFECTIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL COULD BE REDUCED DUE TO RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE PEDAL AND BOOSTER. BRAKING PERFORMANCE WHILE DRIVING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BOOSTER COULD DEVELOP A LEAK AFTER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME RESULTING IN A REDUCTION IN BRAKE POWER ASSIST.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TWO LOCK NUTS TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE PROPERLY SEATED. IF THE NUTS ARE NOT PROPERLY SEATED OR ARE CROSS-THREADED, THE BRAKE BOOSTER WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR...
View full details →Recall 01V173000 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
| 47 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO AN ASSEMBLY ERROR DURING VEHICLE PRODUCTION, ANY OF THE THREE BOLTS THAT SECURE THE PULLEY TO THE PUMP MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY TIGHTENED.
Consequence: IN SUCH A CASE, THE BOLTS COULD ULTIMATELY LOOSEN CAUSING THE PULLEY TO THROW OFF THE DRIVE BELT. THIS WOULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CERTAIN ENGINE AUXILIARY FUNCTIONS, I.E., POWER STEERING ASSIST, WATER PUMP, OR ALTERNATOR. STEERING EFFORT WOULD THEN BE INCREASED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY TO SEE IF IT IS LOOSE. IF THE PULLEY IS NOT LOOSE ON THE PUMP, THE RETAINING BOLTS WILL BE TORQUED TO SPECIFICATION. IF THE PULLEY IS LOOSE, THE PUMP, PULLEY, ATTACHING...
View full details →Recall 01V196000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
| 14,300 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4.4I SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, ABRASION PARTICLES COULD DEPOSIT ON THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WITHIN THE SWITCH, CAUSING A DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRIC CURRENT THROUGH THE CONTACTS. IF THE DISRUPTION OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE NEUTRAL OR PARK POSITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL SWITCH AUTOMATICALLY INTO THE EMERGENCY PROGRAM,...
Consequence: IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN SPEED IN TRAFFIC AND/OR ACCELERATE COULD BE GREATLY DIMINISHED, POSSIBLY LEADING TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION GEAR POSITION INDICATOR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 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...
View full details →Recall 01V030000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
| 13,791 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING ASSEMBLY OF THESE VEHICLES, THE LOWER END OF THE SPINDLE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSERTED COMPLETELY INTO THE COUPLING. IN SUCH A CASE, THE FASTENING BOLT USED TO SECURE THE CONNECTION MAY NOT COMPLETELY ENGAGE THE SPINDLE WITHIN THE COUPLING. DURING DRIVING, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR THE SPINDLE TO DISCONNECT.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPINDLE TO ENSURE PROPER INSERTION IN THE COUPLING, AND, IF NECESSARY, THE SPINDLE WILL BE FULLY INSERTED AND THE FASTENING BOLT REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 6, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED...
View full details →Recall 00V341000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
| 2,643 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE NUT THAT SECURES THE AXIAL JOINT OF THE LEFT STEERING TIE ROD TO THE STEERING GEAR BOX MAY HAVE NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED SECURELY. THIS COULD LEAD TO LOOSENING OF THE NUT AND, INITIALLY TO STEERING WHEEL PLAY AND/OR MISALIGNMENT, AS WELL AS NOISE FROM THE STEERING LINKAGE. IF VEHICLE OPERATION CONTINUES, THE TIE...
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RE-TORQUE THE NUT SECURING THE AXIAL JOINT OF THE LEFT STEERING TIE ROD. IF THE TORQUE OF THE NUT IS FOUND TO BE LOOSE, THE RIGHT NUT WILL ALSO BE CHECKED AND CORRECTED IF NECESSARY, AND...
View full details →Recall 00V261000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
| 490 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE SAFETY BELT LOWER OUTBOARD ANCHORAGE BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER'S SEATS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SECURED PROPERLY.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ITS MAXIMUM RESTRAINT FUNCTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BOLTS AND CORRECT THE TORQUE IF NECESSARY.
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 X5
214 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 BMW X5. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
My vehicle is DO NOT DRIVE condition. I have not been able to schedule air bag recall repair because the dealerships in my area will not tow to and from my home, and say no mobile service is available. WHAT ARE MY OPINIONS? PLEASE REPLY .....I currently can't drive my car because I have a unexploded claymore in my face!
I bought this vehicle and turns out the license plate reads as a Tahoe and now the electricial system u plugged speedometer don't work and everything is going out I need help I'm low on money but need help or resources email me [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I bought this vehicle and turns out the license plate reads as a Tahoe and now the electricial system u plugged speedometer don't work and everything is going out I need help I'm low on money but need help or resources email me [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I bought this vehicle and turns out the license plate reads as a Tahoe and now the electricial system u plugged speedometer don't work and everything is going out I need help I'm low on money but need help or resources email me [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
GOT AIRBAG NOTICE IN MAIL 2019 TOOK MY CAR TO WORLD WIDE BMW NANUET NY DEALER MARCH 23 2019 TOLD ME MY AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS NOT ON THE LIST OF BEING REPLACED MINED YOU MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON WELL BEFORE TAKING IT TO BMW DEALER AND TODAY IS STILL ON I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE AND WHAT CAN I DO TO HAVE IT CORRECTED THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME OVER 2,000 TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG MODULE
Safety Rating for the 2001 BMW X5
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2001 BMW X5 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2001 BMW X5
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 6 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2001 BMW X5. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SIB-61-15-09 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
BMW VEHICLES: VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE POSSIBLE ON THE VEHICLE: WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; CHECK CONTROL MESSAGES; SYSTEMS INOPERATIVE; FUSE BLOWN; WIPERS IN DEFAULT MODE (PERMANENTLY ON); AND FAULT CODES FFFF AND F-CAN FAULTS IN ARS AND DSC. SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE WIRING HARNESS TO SHARP SHEET...
SIB-12-23-07 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BMW VEHICLE: FC 2EF4 CHARACTERISTIC MAP THERMOSTAT. COMPLAINTS THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP IS ILLUMINATED. FAULT CODE 2EF4 CHARACTERISTIC MAP THERMOSTAT IS STORED IN DME FAULT MEMORY. DME SOFTWARE CALIBRATION RELATED TO HIGH HEATING REQUIREMENTS DURING SUBZERO DRIVING CONDITIONS. REPROGRAM VEHICLE WITH V27.1 (I LEVEL E070-07-09-520) OR HIGHER. *PE
SI515401 — INTERIOR LIGHTING
SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT (HATCH) INTERIOR LIGHT BEING LOOSE OR BROKEN. *JG
651201 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
ON SOME PARKED VEHICLES, THE ALPINE CD53 RADIO CAUSES THE BUS TO WAKE UP AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW 40F, THE BATTERY COULD ALSO BECOME DISCHARGED. *TT
SI651201 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
SUBJECT REGARDING SERVICE ACTION TO REPROGRAM ALPINE CD53 RADIO. *JG
651201 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF A DISCHARGED BATTERY WITH THE ALPINE CD53 RADIO. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2001 BMW X5
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW X5
- 1999 BMW X5 — 0 complaints
- 2000 BMW X5 — 37 complaints
- 2001 BMW X5 (current)
- 2002 BMW X5 — 136 complaints
- 2003 BMW X5 — 134 complaints
- 2004 BMW X5 — 93 complaints
- 2005 BMW X5 — 109 complaints
- 2006 BMW X5 — 220 complaints