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2001 BMW M5Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 4 owner complaints about the 2001 BMW M5, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-047 the manufacturer reports only 24% of affected cars repaired.

2001 BMW M5
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 24%Owner complaints40 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage84kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 20, 2017. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 BMW M5 has problems

4 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags30
Tires10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2001 BMW M5 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.

24%repaired · 2018 Q2

Driver side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 17V-047 · Jan 20, 2017 · 230,117 vehicles · 55,819 repaired

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 03V-421 · Oct 24, 2003 · 23,000 vehicles

Risk. UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG(S) COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF AN OCCUPANT IS TOO CLOSE TO THE DEPLOYING AIR BAG(S).

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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 M5 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 M5 median. How we score

'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'00'01'02'03'06'07'08'09'10'13'14'15'16'18'19'20'21'22'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What M5 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW M5. WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V421000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.…
Complaint 10449043 · Feb 23, 2012 · 108,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW M5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V421000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…
Complaint 10432235 · Oct 20, 2011 · 59,000 miles

Own a 2001 M5?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.