CarRecallWatchThe 2001 BMW 525i has 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA, including 2 crashes, 6 fires, 2 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Electrical System (6 reports).
2001 BMW 525i recalls
Driver Airbag Inflator May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments
Certain BMW vehicles from 2000 to 2004 that have the optional sports steering wheel may have a driver-side frontal airbag inflator that can explode.
Most common 2001 BMW 525i problems
Problem areas named in the 22 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
What owners report
We arrived at church, and I remained behind finishing my makeup. My husband locked the car with the fob out of habit, and my foot was holding the passenger door open. Forgetting the door had been locked with the fob, I accidentally allowed the passenger door to close. I had no keys. Services began, not a soul in site outside. I began to panic when I could not get the door or any other to open. The alarm would not trigger, and the sunroof was cracked accidentally about an inch. It was July. I could not get anyone to hear me, and could not get any door or window ajar. Eventually I was able to get the attention of an elder, who went and retrieved the keys and got me out. I was soaked in sweat,
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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PARKING AND RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE, UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE DETECTED A BURNING ODOR AND FLAMES EXITING THE FRONT OF HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN OPENING THE HOOD HE SAW FIRE LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE RADIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED HE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH WATER HE HAD AVAILABLE. NO POLICE OR FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT WIRES FOR THE ELECTRICAL FAN AND CONTINUED DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED NIELLO BMW ELK GROVE (8580 LAGUNA GROVE DR, ELK GROVE, CA 95757 (916) 687-9000) WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT
I HAD TAKEN A LONGER ROAD TRIP, AND WAS ON MY WAY BACK, ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE WAY WHEN WE STOPPED FOR DINNER. I PARKED, AND EVERYTHING WAS USUAL. A COUPLE MINUTES LATER, I WENT TO MOVE THE CAR, AND WHILE I WAS WAITING IN A DRIVE-THRU LINE, I SEE SMOKE BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND I SMELL A BURNING SMELL. I PARKED THE CAR BACK WHERE IT HAD BEEN, AND, THINKING IT WAS A COOLANT ISSUE, OPENED THE HOOD TO LET THE ENGINE COOL DOWN, AND LEFT MY PASSENGERS WITH THE CAR AND WALKED ACROSS THE STREET TO BUY SOME COOLANT. WHEN I RETURNED, MY PASSENGERS TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NOTICED A FLAME AT THE EXTREME FRONT OF THE ENGINE AND HAD TO DOUSE IT WITH WATER. I CHECKED, AND I SAW THAT THE WIRES LE
2001 BMW 525i questions
Does the 2001 BMW 525i have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2001 BMW 525i: Driver Airbag Inflator May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 BMW 525i?
Based on 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (6), Air Bags (5), Engine And Engine Cooling (4).
How do I check if a recall on my 2001 BMW 525i has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.