Model yearDo not drive

2001 BMW M5

Sedan, gasoline, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from Jun 13, 2003 to Feb 23, 2012.

Recall campaigns covering this model year3256k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints4Below the median 2001 sedan
Severity index0.02001 sedans average 13.3
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2001 BMW M5 peaked in 2003, with 1 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

00.250.50.7512003120052007200920112013201520172019202120232026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

75% of complaints about the 2001 BMW M5 name airbags

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Airbags
3
Tires
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

3 recall campaigns cover the 2001 BMW M5

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 2001 BMW M5
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
17V-047Jan 20, 2017These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating…Do not driveAirbags230,117Part replacement
03V-421Oct 24, 2003On certain passenger vehicles, a microprocessor in the air bag control module, which activates the front air bags, the side air bags, the front…Airbags23,000Part replacement
01V-001Jan 4, 2001Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 18-inch tiresTires3,167Part replacement
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2001 BMW M5

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.

4 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Feb 23, 2012Failure Feb 18, 2012108,000 milesCollege Park, GAAir bags

    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. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10449043
  2. Filed Oct 20, 2011Failure Oct 20, 201059,000 milesGarden City, NYAir bags

    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 REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,800.

    NHTSA complaint 10432235
  3. Filed Jan 18, 2009Failure Dec 15, 200868,391 milesRedwood City, CATires

    HI, I PURCHASED A PAIR OF MICHELIN PS2 HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES FOR $600 FROM TIRERACK.COM AND NOTICED THAT THE LATERAL TREAD / GROVES ARE BLOCKED WITH EXCESS RUBBER THROUGHOUT BOTH TIRES. THEY WERE INSTALLED ON 12/06/2008. I RECEIVED DOCUMENTATION FROM ANOTHER TIRE MANUFACTURER THAT STATES THE LATERAL GROVES PLAY AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION TO DISPERSE WATER TO MINIMIZE HYDROPLANING. CURRENTLY, TIRERACK DENIES MY CLAIM FOR AN EXCHANGE. I CONTACTED MICHELIN AND THEY REFERRED ME BACK TO TIRERACK. HTTP://WWW.YOKOHAMATIRE.COM/CUSTOMER_SERVICE/CONSTRUCTION_TREAD.ASPX THE BLOCKAGE IS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE AND WOULD REQUIRE ME TO USE A SHARP UTILITY KNIFE TO MY TIRES. I AM NOT SURE WHAT MICHELIN WOULD SAY IF THEY KNEW I TOOK A KNIFE TO MY TIRES. TIRERACK SO FAR HAS DENIED MY REQUEST FOR AN EXCHANGE CLAIMING THE PROBLEM IS COSMETIC AND WOULD GO AWAY. I DIFFER BECAUSE THE PROBLEM BLOCKS A FUNCTIONAL SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE AREA OF THE TIRE AND PREVENTS ITS ABILITY TO DISPERSE WATER. TIRERACK'S WRITTEN WARRANTY POLICY STATES THAT THEY WOULD WORK WITH ME AND THE MANUFACTURER TO RESOLVE A CLAIM. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED ACCORDING TO MY KNOWLEDGE. I HAVE EVEN SUBMITTED A VIDEO AND PICTURES. I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE AS A CONSUMER WHO PAID A PREMIUM FOR THE MOST EXPENSIVE AND HIGHEST PERFORMANCE TIRES AVAILABLE, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE PIECE OF MIND THAT THEY WILL NOT FAIL... AND WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY, A CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CONTEMPLATE IF, WHEN OR THE LIKELIHOOD AN ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR - EVEN IF ONE PERCEIVES THE LIKELIHOOD TO BE LOW. I'D RATHER NOT TAKE THAT CHANCE AND IT ONLY TAKES ONE EVENT TO CHANGE SOMEONE(S) LIFE FOREVER. I THEREFORE FEEL THAT TIRERACK HAS DELAYED THIS ISSUE FOR OVER A MONTH AND HAS NO REGARD FOR MY SAFETY OR THE SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS ON THE ROAD BY MAKING A SWIFT EXCHANGE. TIRERACK HAS SO FAR ONLY SHOWN SIGNS OF ONLY WANTING TO MAKE MONEY IRREGARDLESS OF SAFETY. PLEASE FOLLOW UP ON MY CONCERNS. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10255515
  4. Filed Jun 13, 2003Failure May 5, 2003NEW York, NYSide/window

    WHILE DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEED SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 10024045
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

10 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.
  • B340714 Oct 13, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material-
  • B662419 Sep 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.
  • B170222 Sep 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Coolant is leaking from under the car which is equipped with the S63 engine. A low coolant warning might also be displayed (CC Message ID166).
  • 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-34-04-14 Dec 1, 2014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    BMW: RUNNING NOISES HEARD WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, WITH HIGH BRAKE LOADS; THROUGH WHEEL OPENING, VISIBLE CRACKS CAN BE SEEN IN BRAKE DISCS AND STEERING WHEEL TORSIONAL VIBRATES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. *PE
  • SIB-33-01-02 Jul 1, 2011 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    BMW: A GRINDING NOISE IS COMING FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL DURING SLOW CORNERING. WHEN TURNING A SLIP/STICK EFFECT IS CREATED ON THE LINING AND STEEL DISCS INCORPORATED IN THE DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCH CAUSES A GRINDING NOISE. *RM
  • 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…
  • 110106 Mar 1, 2006 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    S85 ENGINE OIL LEVEL AND OIL SERVICE INFORMATION. *AK
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.