Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineSteering
I PURCHASED MY 2001 BMW X5, NEW IN SEPT OF 2000. I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT PRETTY QUICKLY. THE MOST PLAUGING PROBLEM WAS THE GAS GAUGE. IT TOOK BMW 5 TIMES TO FINALLY FIX IT. 2/26/01 14461 MILAGE, 3/9/01 14512 MILAGE, 5/16/01 18566 MILES, 8/29/01 24493 MILES, AND FINALLY 2/26/02 37268 MILES. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF OTH…
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I PURCHASED MY 2001 BMW X5, NEW IN SEPT OF 2000. I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT PRETTY QUICKLY. THE MOST PLAUGING PROBLEM WAS THE GAS GAUGE. IT TOOK BMW 5 TIMES TO FINALLY FIX IT. 2/26/01 14461 MILAGE, 3/9/01 14512 MILAGE, 5/16/01 18566 MILES, 8/29/01 24493 MILES, AND FINALLY 2/26/02 37268 MILES. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF OTHER ISSUES WITH THE CAR, WATER PUMP, LOWER CONTRO ARM (TWICE), AND VARIOUS OTHER NON-ESSENTIAL ITEMS. I TRIED TO ENACT THE LEMON LAW, BUT SINCE THE 3RD TIME ON THE FUEL GAUGE WAS AT 18500 MILES, I WAS TOLD IT DIDN'T APPLY. NOW AFTER 4 AND A HALF YEARS, I HAVE 114,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND I WAS JUST TOLD THAT THE MOTOR IS SHOT AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $11,500. I CAN'T SINK THAT KIND OF MONEY INTO A CAR WITH THAT MANY MILES BUT I CAN'T SELL IT WITH A BAD MOTOR AND I CAN'T MAKE PAYMENTS ON TWO CARS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER AND BMW HAS REFUESED HELP ME. THE ONLY OFFER THEY MADE WAS TO GIVE ME $5000.00 OFF ON A NEW CAR WHEN I HIRED A LAWYER TO TRY TO ENACT THE LEMON LAW, BUT WITH THE MILAGE I HAD ON THE CAR ALREADY I STILL WOULD HAVE OWED THEM MONEY ON THE TRADE-IN. THERE HASN'T BEEN ONE INCIDENT. IT'S JUST BEEN ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAVE PAID BMW OVER $3600.00 FOR SERVICE AND REPAIRS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. NOW IT'S GOING TO COST ME OVER $11,000 MORE TO GET THE CAR RUNNING AGAIN. I HAVE ALL THE SERVICE RECORDS AND HAVE ALWAYS PAMPERED THE CAR. I ONLY USED THE BEST GAS, NEVER MISSED ANY SCHEDULED SERVICES. I CAN'T BELIEVE BMW IS NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS BETTER THAN THIS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10116227
55,000 miles · Sep 3, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FUEL TANK. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10090361
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline
CONSUMER STATES A PROBLEM EXISTED WHERE THE VEHCLE WOULD SUDDENLY CUT OFF WHEN IN A TURN AND WHEN FIRST STARTING. THE FAN BLOWER MOTOR AND THE COOLANT THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT IMPROPER HEATER OPERATION. *TT
NHTSA ODI #567569
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS RATTLE WHEN GOING UP DUE TO WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE. *YH
NHTSA ODI #565716
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL PUMP SEAL INTO PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT AND OUTSIDE . PRIOR TO THE PROBLEM, DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP. SINCE THEN, DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE AND REPLACED FUEL TANK. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM PIVOT SHAFT COULD LOOSEN FROM ITS SUPPORT BRACKET.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: EVENTUALLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM COULD DETACH FROM THE BRACKET, RENDERING THE SERVICE BRAKING SYSTEM INEFFECTIVE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN SPEED IN TRAFFIC AND/OR ACCELERATE COULD BE GREATLY DIMINISHED, POSSIBLY LEADING TO A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
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).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD RESULT.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ITS MAXIMUM RESTRAINT FUNCTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BOLTS AND CORRECT THE TORQUE IF NECESSARY.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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