Menu

2001 BMW X5Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 160 owner complaints about the 2001 BMW X5, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 12 safety recalls, and for recall 25V-748 the manufacturer reports only 1% of affected cars repaired.

43
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.3× the X5 median · #8 of 25 years by complaints
Safety recalls12Lowest repair rate 1%Owner complaints16030 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage88kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 10, 2026. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 BMW X5 has problems

160 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
Engine and engine cooling314
Electrical system245
Latches/locks/linkages180
Air bags168
Power train150
Visibility140
Steering111
Structure103
Exterior lighting91
16 other systems508

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

12 recalls

2001 BMW X5 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.

1%repaired · 2026 Q3

Driver side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 25V-748 · Oct 31, 2025 · 5,361 vehicles · 52 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 03V-001 · Jan 9, 2003 · 84,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD INITIALLY CAUSE SOME BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, AND EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages

Recall 02V-194 · Jul 24, 2002 · 34,860 vehicles

Risk. EVENTUALLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM COULD DETACH FROM THE BRACKET, RENDERING THE SERVICE BRAKING SYSTEM INEFFECTIVE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 8 more recalls
–no report yet

Power assist: vacuum

Recall 01V-197 · Jun 14, 2001 · 36 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURRED, THE EFFECTIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL COULD BE REDUCED DUE TO RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE PEDAL AND BOOSTER.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch

Recall 01V-196 · Jun 14, 2001 · 14,300 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN SPEED IN TRAFFIC AND/OR ACCELERATE COULD BE GREATLY DIMINISHED, POSSIBLY LEADING TO A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Hydraulic power assist: pump

Recall 01V-173 · May 24, 2001 · 47 vehicles

Risk. IN SUCH A CASE, THE BOLTS COULD ULTIMATELY LOOSEN CAUSING THE PULLEY TO THROW OFF THE DRIVE BELT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: anchorage

Recall 00V-261 · Sep 11, 2000 · 490 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ITS MAXIMUM RESTRAINT FUNCTION.

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 X5 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 X5 median. How we score

'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What X5 owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE AUXILIARY FAN WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE FUSE FOR THE FAN AND THE FUSE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE…
Complaint 10450893 · Mar 9, 2012 · 108,177 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD BEGIN TO ILLUMINATE AND IT WOULD TAKE A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED MANY TIMES…
Complaint 10418423 · Aug 10, 2011 · 145,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE OIL SEPARATOR FRACTURED AND CAUSED OIL TO SPRAY OVER ALL COMPONENTS UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE…
Complaint 10370645 · Dec 14, 2010 · 86,000 miles

Own a 2001 X5?

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