2001 BMW 530I: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 25 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train.
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 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2017
“2001 bmw 530i with 74,000 miles- well maintained, but suddenly the car won't go in reverse. I'm told that the automatic transmission has failed, and needs to be replaced. I've found hundreds of similar complaints on the web- NHTSA should investigate and force bmw to issue a recall. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2011
“2001 bmw 5301 with 105k miles won't go into reverse. Car will move in reverse at idle on a flat surface but will not accelerate. I've noticed 100's of people have had similar issues and that gm (trans mfg) has recalled similar issues on gm vehicles but bmw will not issue a recall itself. We need the help of NHTSA to require bmw to recall this dangerous and fault transmission part. *ln”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“I am filing this complaint on behalf of my daughter who is the owner of the car. Bmw 530i 2001 the vehicle was parked in my driveway, went to back it out of the driveway but it would not engage. The engine starts everything is ok but the vehicle refuses to reverse. No problem with reverse before. Also there are no warning lights or anything indicating that something is wrong with the car. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 bmw 530i. The contact stated while driving at 25 mph the driver side air bag located in the door and the side curtain air bag deployed. The contact suffered a minor injury to the left arm. The contact pulled over to check the vehicle for damages. There were no damages to the vehicle that would cause the air bag to deploy. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The contact called the manufacturer and they informed the contact that due to the VIN number the contact's vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact feels this vehicle should be added to the current recall. The failure mileage was 128,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2010
“Bmw 530i 2001. Failure of reverse gear almost caused a major accident evidently, this is the most common failure on 3 & 5 bmw series with steptronic transmission years 2001-2003. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2008
“2001 bmw 530i - electric fan come on and makes a very loud noise, it has been previously replaced because it was drawing current even when off that resulted in battery replacement twice. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 bmw 530i. The contact stated the she heard an explosion coming from the engine compartment after the she cranked the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle sustained major damage. As of january 7, 2008, the dealer had not inspected he vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 150,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2008
“2001 bmw 530i, with 77500 miles with transmission type zf 5hp19. Transmission went bad without warning while driving and changing lane, which cause to reduce my speed. I am was almost getting hit by car behind me. I contact the dealer and complained with out any responses. I did research online and found many issues with these types of transmission. Bmw of north american should recall this type to avoid getting someone hurt, because of malfunction design. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated while exiting a parking lot at 3 mph the front passenger side curtain airbag deployed and exploded. Although the dealer and the manufacturer were alerted no inspection have been made.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - 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 530I 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 530I reliable?
NHTSA has 25 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 BMW 530I. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2001 BMW 530I 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.