BMW · X5 · 2001
12
Recalls
159
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2001 BMW X5 has 12 recalls and 159 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: engine and engine cooling (27 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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, 2003. 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. 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.
Remedy Status
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 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: 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.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BOLTS AND CORRECT THE TORQUE IF NECESSARY.
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).
Remedy Status
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 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: 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, WHICH IS DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER VIA A WARNING LAMP AND A MESSAGE, "TRANS. FAIL-SAFE PROG." IN THIS CASE, THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN IN LOWER GEARS ONLY WITH LIMITED ENGINE OUTPUT.
Remedy Status
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 TIME 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 Status
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: 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 ROD COULD DISCONNECT FROM THE STEERING GEAR BOX.
Remedy Status
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 A FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT WILL BE PERFORMED.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM PIVOT SHAFT COULD LOOSEN FROM ITS SUPPORT BRACKET.
Remedy Status
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 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 1-800-332-4269.
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.
Remedy Status
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 BOLTS, AND DRIVE BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 17, 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 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.
Remedy Status
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 customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 23, 2025. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 19V015.
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 as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Remedy Status
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, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 Status
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.
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)
IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE IT WAS PARKED ENGINE WAS ALSO OFF!
TAKATA RECALL I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR NOTICED WHEN I STARTED IT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG AREA I IMMEDIATELY SHUT IT OFF BUT THERE WAS SMOKE STILL COMING AND GETTING THICKER I IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH 911 AND NOTICED FLAMES .FIRE TRUCK SHOWED UP PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT THE WHOLE FRONT AIR BAG AREA AND GLOVE BOX WAS PRETTY BAD
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
IN 2001 I HAD A RECALL FOR THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED THEN IN 2007 ELECTRIC COOLING FAN GOES OUT AGAIN, THEN IN 2011 THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN GOES OUT AGAIN, THEN IN 2018 THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN GOES OUT AGAIN OVERHEAT AND BLOWS THE HEAD GASKET WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM LAS VEGAS IN GILROY CALIFORNIA ???
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V173000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PLAZA BMW (11858 OLIVE BLVD, CREVE COEUR, MO) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED; HOWEVER, THE VIN HAD NO OPEN RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS UNDER THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
TAKATA RECALL. MY VEHICLES LOCK CYLINDER IS STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION. I HAD JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR RECENTLY AND WHEN I BOUGHT A NEW KEY THE LOCK CYLINDER PUT THE CAR INTO DEADLOCK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
WHEN DRIVING MY 2001 BMW X5 ON ICE, SOFT DIRT ROAD, SLUSH, (ICE WITH PAVEMENT) THE CAR FISHTAILS IN THE REAR. I HAD BRAND NEW WINTER TIRES PUT ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS JUST ALIGNED. I HAD 4 DIFFERENT MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIGURE IT OUT. PLEASE HELP.
THE TAIL LIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES AND THE SIGNAL ON BOTH SIZE IN THE REAR DO NOT WORK THE SIGNAL ON THE RIGHT SIDE ON THE FRONT DOES NOT WORK . I HAVE CHANGE ALL THE FUSES IN ALL THE LIGHTBULBS BUT CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE
2001 BMW X5 4.4I CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE PARKED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE DRIVER COASTED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER AND THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC POTENTIALLY LOCATED A FAILURE WITH THE STEERING COLUMN SPINDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. ..UPDATED 06/21/17 *BF *CN
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
SEATS HAVE HEAT CONTROL L OPTION N. DRIVERS SIDE GETS TOO HOT AND BURNS DRIVER CREATING A BURN HOLE ON THE SEAT.
MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT OCCURRING. I CONTACTED BMWS CORPORATE OFFICES. THEY HAD ME TAKE IT IN TO BMW OF DALLAS SO THEY COULD SEE WHAT CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION. NO SATISFACTORY RESOLVE WAS ACHIEVED. THEY DID NOT FIX THE MALFUNCTIONED EQUIPMENT. THEY GAVE ME MY VEHICLE BACK WITH MALFUNCTIONED AIRBAG UNFIXED. I AM APPALLED BY THERE LACK OF CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY. *BF CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD A HEAD TRAUMA. UPDATED 7/3/18*JB *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INFLATED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAGS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SENT TECHNICIANS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.
04/30/16 I BOUGHT THE SUV LAS MONTH AND HAVE EVERY THING ORIGINAL EVERY THING WAS FINE UNTIL TODAY IT CAUGHT ON FIRE ON THE PASENGER SIDE UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT A 30 MIN AFTER PARKING IT ON THE DRIVE WAY I HEAR THE ALARM AND SAW ALOT OF SMOG COMING FROM THE TRUCK AT SOON AS I OPEN THE DOOR.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2001 BMW X5 has 12 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 159 owner-reported complaints for the 2001 BMW X5.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2001 BMW X5.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2001 BMW X5 are engine and engine cooling (27 reports), power train (14 reports), latches/locks/linkages (14 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 12 recalls on record for the 2001 BMW X5. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.