Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2001 BMW 525 peaked in 2001, with 1 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model yearDo not drive
2001 BMW 525
Sedan, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from Nov 1, 2001 to Jan 17, 2012.
Recall campaigns covering this model year1230k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints3Below the median 2001 sedan
Severity index66.72001 sedans average 13.3
First 24 months1Complaints in its first two years
Components
33% of complaints about the 2001 BMW 525 name airbags
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
One recall campaign covers the 2001 BMW 525
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17V-047 | Jan 20, 2017 | These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating…Do not drive | Airbags | 230,117 | Part replacement |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 2001 BMW 525
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
3 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Jan 17, 2012Failure Dec 30, 2011144,414 milesEast Brunswick, NJService brakes, Hydraulic, Structure
POWER BRAKE SERVO FAILURE DUE TO WATER ACCUMULATION. DRIVING THE CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO STOP WHEN THERE WAS SUDDENLY NO POWER BRAKES. DEALER INDICATED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY A BAD VACUUM LINE. WHEN REPLACING THE VACUUM HOSE, I FOUND THE BRAKES BOOSTER (SERVO) SUBMERGED IN 6 INCHES OF WATER. AFTER DRAINING THE WATER AND DISCONNECTING THE VACUUM HOSE A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER DRAINED FROM INSIDE THE POWER BOOSTER/SERVO. CAR RAN FINE AFTER REPAIR. 1 WEEK LATER, ON 1/16/12 DURING SUB-FREEZING TEMPS, THERE WS NO BRAKE PEDAL FUNCTION AT ALL. EXTENSIVE WEB SEARCH FOUND SEVERAL THREADS DEVOTED TO THE PROBLEM. HERE IS ONE OF THOSE LINKS: HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=418457 TWO POTENTIAL CAUSES: 1 - THE BRAKE BOOSTER/SERVO IS IN A WELL. THIS WELL DOES HAVE A SMALL DRAINAGE HOLE THAT CAN CLOG DUE TO LEAVES OR OTHER DEBRIS. THIS WELL IS UNDER A CABIN AIR FILTER BOX. THE AIR FILTER IS A NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEM, COMPLETE REMOVAL OF THE BOX AND MAINTENANCE UNDER THE BOX IS NOT PART OF STANDARD MAINTENANCE. IN CLIMATES WHERE LEAVES FALL, THEY CAN COLLECT UNDER THIS BOX AND BLOCK DRAINAGE. SHOULD THE WELL FILL WITH WATER THE UNIT WILL BECOME SUBMERGED AND ULTIMATELY TAKE ON WATER. WATER SEEPING INTO THE BOOSTER/SERVO CAN CAUSE FAILURE OF THE UNIT CAUSING BRAKE FUNCTION TO BE DRASTICALLY REDUCED. IF ALL THE WATER IS NOT DRAINED, IN BELOW FREEZING CONDITIONS THE WATER IN THE BOOSTER/SERVO WILL FREEZE, EFFECTIVELY FREEZING THE BRAKE PEDAL, MAKING BRAKING IMPOSSIBLE! THIS WATER CAN ALSO GET SUCKED INTO THE VACUUM LINE AND BE SUCKED INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THEN INTO THE ENGINE POTENTIALLY CAUSING MASSIVE ENGINE FAILURE. 2 - FAILURE OF THE CCV VALVE, CAUSED BY CONDENSATE, CAN ALSO CAUSE WATER TO ULTIMATELY BACK-UP INTO THE VACUUM SYSTEM AND INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER/SERVO, CAUSING THE SAME EFFECTS MENTIONED ABOVE. BOOSTER REPLACEMENT NEEDED. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10444001 - Filed Apr 16, 2007Failure Apr 15, 200750,000 milesGlen Holland, VAAir bags, Vehicle speed controlCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 525. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE. THE VEHICLE THEN SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL ,VEERED TO THE RIGHT, AND CRASHED INTO A CHANNELIZER BARREL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ALTHOUGH, HE STRUCK THE BARREL HEAD ON THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.*AK
NHTSA complaint 10188061 - Filed Nov 1, 2001Failure Sep 1, 2001Sharon, MAFanFire
ENGINE COMPARTMENT STARTED SMOKING. CONSUMER PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND SHUT VEHICLE OFF. SERVICE MANAGER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. ELECTRICAL COMPONETS IN FAN WERE BURNED OUT. CONSUMER STATED THIS PROBLEM STARTED AFTER RECALL WAS PERFORMED. DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER TO ATTACHED RECALL INFORMATION.*AK *YH
NHTSA complaint 898621
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
6 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- B510819 Jan 16, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. - B160623 Dec 20, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too l… - B653423 Nov 22, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâ™s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additio… - B122917 Dec 1, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module. - SIB-63-02-01 Aug 1, 2010 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW: PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING AND REPLACING INCANDESCENT AND HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS UNDER WARRANTY. *RM - SIB-16-02-09 Dec 1, 2009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW VEHICLES: FUEL LEVEL SENSOR REPAIRS. WHERE IT IS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT SIDE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A FAILURE, THE ENTIRE PUMP AND HOUSING OR DELIVERY UNIT (SUCTION JET ASSEMBLY) DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. IN SOME CASES…
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.