Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2001 BMW X5 recalls
Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module
NHTSA campaign 25V748000 · reported October 31, 2025 · BMW of North America, LLC · 5,361 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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.
Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module
NHTSA campaign 17V047000 · reported January 20, 2017 · BMW of North America, LLC · 230,117 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA campaign 03V001000 · reported January 9, 2003 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE · 84,000 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This could initially cause some brake fluid leakage, and eventually lead to a substantial loss of brake fluid. There could be a noticeable reduction in brake performance if a loss of front brake performance occurs.
- The fix
- 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
NHTSA campaign 02V194000 · reported July 24, 2002 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE · 34,860 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- On certain passenger vehicles, due to a manufacturing problem, the brake pedal arm pivot shaft could loosen from its support bracket.
- The risk
- Eventually, the brake pedal arm could detach from the bracket, rendering the service braking system ineffective, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system, fan
NHTSA campaign 02V138000 · reported May 16, 2002 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE · 1,550 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result. In addition, it is possible for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause a fire in the fan control unit located in the front of the engine compartment.
- The fix
- 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.
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system, fan
NHTSA campaign 01V206000 · reported June 21, 2001 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE · 76,469 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result. In addition, it is possible for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause a fire in the fan control unit located in the front of the engine compartment.
- The fix
- 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.
Power train: automatic transmission, park/neutral start interlock switch
NHTSA campaign 01V196000 · reported June 14, 2001 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE · 14,300 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If this problem occurs, the ability to maintain speed in traffic and/or accelerate could be greatly diminished, possibly leading to a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist, vacuum
NHTSA campaign 01V197000 · reported June 14, 2001 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE · 36 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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).
- The risk
- If this occurred, the effective brake pedal travel could be reduced due to relative movement between the pedal and booster. Braking performance while driving could be adversely affected. In addition, it is possible that the booster could develop a leak after an extended period of time resulting in a reduction in brake power assist.
- The fix
- 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.
Steering: hydraulic power assist, pump
NHTSA campaign 01V173000 · reported May 24, 2001 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE · 47 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- In such a case, the bolts could ultimately loosen causing the pulley to throw off the drive belt. This would result in the loss of certain engine auxiliary functions, I.e., power steering assist, water pump, or alternator. Steering effort would then be increased.
- The fix
- 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.
Steering: linkages, knuckle, spindle, arm
NHTSA campaign 01V030000 · reported February 6, 2001 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE · 13,791 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This could result in a loss of steering capability and increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Steering: linkages, rod, relay, connecting
NHTSA campaign 00V341000 · reported October 24, 2000 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE · 2,643 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If this were to occur, loss of steering control could result.
- The fix
- 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.
Seat belts: front, anchorage
NHTSA campaign 00V261000 · reported September 11, 2000 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE · 490 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- In the event of a crash, the safety belt system might not be able to provide its maximum restraint function.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the bolts and correct the torque if necessary.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
May 10, 2026 · Air bags
2023 September BMW issued me a "Stop Drive" letter in the mail. I parked the vehicle and haven't drove it since. Since then ive called the number in letter and visited website. At one time the individual handling and scheduling my "repair" had asked me if I could drive the car to nearest dealership to get repaired? I…
Feb 18, 2025 · Air bags
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…
Dec 5, 2024 · Electrical system
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 […] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C…
Oct 14, 2020 · Air bags
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…
Mar 21, 2020 · Unknown or other · fire reported
IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE IT WAS PARKED ENGINE WAS ALSO OFF!
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received May 10, 2026.