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 530iProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 25 owner complaints about the 2001 BMW 530i, most often about the power train. 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 May 2, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: User Andytothemax on en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2001 BMW 530i has problems
25 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
5Power train
5Engine and engine cooling
4Air bags2 crash/fire/injury
3Fuel/propulsion system1 crash/fire/injury
3Seats1 crash/fire/injury
2Electrical system
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Exterior lighting
1Structure
22 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 5 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 1 |
| Seats | 3 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 |
| 2 other systems | 2 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2001 BMW 530i 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 530i 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 530i median. How we score
'78'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
In owners' words
What 530i owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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
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…
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.…
Own a 2001 530i?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.