2001 BMW 525I: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 22 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Bmw is using the recall to force people back into their service center. Even when a repair isn't required. Then, they tell you that there are 100 other things that are needed on your vehicle. Attached are the samples of the documents. This behavior is fraudulent and deceptive. Even though they know my vehicle does not need this airbag, they continue to send annoying letters.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2020
“I drove the car a mile to the store and a mile back and when I was walking away you could see a spark and then a minute later another one and another until then the car started smoking and within 4 minutes the car was engulfed in flames. My security cameras caught the whole thing on tape. We tried our best to contain the fire but it took the fire department to put it out.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2020
“The service engine light is on and off many times. There are several times after I exit the highway car shaked and almost cannot drive. But after several hours or park one day, it can drive again, when it can drive, it runs excellent. I do not know what happened. If I drive a long distance, the light turn on again. It even slow down on the highway. Currently it cannot drive. It ever stopped on the highway 60th nogales exit. Temperature light is on. I drive it of the highway. After I exit highway, the steering is locked.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2001 bmw 525i. The contact stated that the transmission was slow to change gears intermittently. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the transmission assembly needed to be replaced. Also, while driving 25 mph over a pothole, the undercarriage of the vehicle was damaged and the air bags deployed with force. The driver was not injured. The vehicle remained parked at the contact's residence due to the failure. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v015000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2018
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 bmw 525i. The contact stated that while entering a residential parking garage, the vehicle accelerated rapidly and abruptly as the accelerator pedal was lightly depressed. The contact crashed into a wall and the air bags deployed. The contact sustained a fractured jaw from the air bag striking her face. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2013
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 bmw 525i. While the contact was driving approximately 50 mph, the check engine light illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. After two hours, the contact turned the vehicle on and took it to a local repair shop where he was informed that the engine cooling fan needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000. Updated 01/14/11*lj”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2010
“When applying brakes when wet, brake pedal becomes very hard to push. A squishing sound can be heard as the brake is applied and pedal moves to the floor board. Only happens when brake is very wet (coming out of carwash, also happened a number of times during a hard rain.) took a great deal of effort to push down on brake pedal and bring car to a stop. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2008
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2005
“While driving at 20 mph and making left turning consumer's vehicle was involved in a collision. Upon impact, neither the side or front driver air bag deployed. Driver sustained chest, shoulders, and arm injuries from impacting the steering wheel. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER10, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 525I by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 BMW 525I reliable?
NHTSA has 22 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 BMW 525I. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Does the 2001 BMW 525I have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.