repaired · 2020 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2001 BMW 525iProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 22 owner complaints about the 2001 BMW 525i, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-015 the manufacturer reports only 23% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 25, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2001 BMW 525i has problems
22 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
6Electrical system4 crash/fire/injury
4Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
4Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
4Engine4 crash/fire/injury
2Vehicle speed control1 crash/fire/injury
2Electronic stability control (ESC)
2Power train
1Equipment
1Service brakes, hydraulic
33 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 6 | 4 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 1 |
| Air bags | 4 | 1 |
| Engine | 4 | 4 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 2 | 0 |
| Power train | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | 0 |
| 3 other systems | 3 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2001 BMW 525i recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk. UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG(S) COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF AN OCCUPANT IS TOO CLOSE TO THE DEPLOYING AIR BAG(S).
no report yet
Cooling system: fan
Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT.
no report yet
Cooling system: fan
Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Best & worst years
2001 vs. every other 525i year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 525i median. How we score
'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
In owners' words
What 525i owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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,…
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…
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…
Own a 2001 525i?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.