2001 BMW 525 recalls and problems

The 2001 BMW 525 has 1 safety recall and 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer.

Urgent: recall 17V-047 carries a "do not drive" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
1
Complaints
3
Crashes / fires
1 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2001 BMW 525 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2001 BMW 525 recalls

Recall 17V-047: Air Bags

Do not driveReported Jan 20, 2017 · 230,117 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

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.

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.

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.

2001 BMW 525 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine and Engine Cooling1
Air Bags1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Structure1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1

Most reported parts

  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 144,414 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2001 BMW 525 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Structure · at 144,414 miles · reported Jan 17, 2012
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…
Air Bags · at 50,000 miles · reported Apr 16, 2007
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.
Engine and Engine Cooling · reported Nov 1, 2001
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.

Other BMW 525 years

20022001

Compare all BMW 525 years · All BMW models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 BMW 525 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2001 BMW 525: 17V-047 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 BMW 525?

Owners report engine and engine cooling problems most often (1 reports), followed by air bags (1). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 144,414 miles.

Are BMW recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.