MYRModel Year Report

2001 BMW 525I

○ Not enough data
2001 BMW 525I
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:30:29.285Z

Only 22 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 22 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, BMW 525I Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2001 highlighted. 1989: 4 complaints 1989 1990: 11 complaints 1991: 13 complaints 1992: 18 complaints 1992 1993: 5 complaints 1994: 7 complaints 1995: 24 complaints 1995 1998: 2 complaints 1999: 1 complaints 2000: 0 complaints 2000 2001: 22 complaints 2001 2002: 28 complaints 2003: 32 complaints 2003 2004: 84 complaints 2005: 35 complaints 2006: 77 complaints 2006 2007: 72 complaints 2008: 1 complaints 2009: 1 complaints 2009 2010: 0 complaints 2011: 0 complaints 2011
2001: 22 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19894
199011
199113
199218
19935
19947
199524
19982
19991
20000
200122
200228
200332
200484
200535
200677
200772
20081
20091
20100
20110

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 22 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 of 22 total reports mention: electrical system.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I HAD TAKEN A LONGER ROAD TRIP, AND WAS ON MY WAY BACK, ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE WAY WHEN WE STOPPED FOR DINNER. I PARKED, AND EVERYTHING WAS USUAL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200218

POSSIBLE BMW RECALL ISSUE (CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE CAR OFF). CAR PURCHASED ON 11/8/17. ON 11/16/17, CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY WITH IGNITION OFF AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171120

We arrived at church, and I remained behind finishing my makeup. My husband locked the car with the fob out of habit, and my foot was holding the passenger door open.

NHTSA ODI report, 20241225

ENGINE

4 of 22 total reports mention: engine.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

POSSIBLE BMW RECALL ISSUE (CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE CAR OFF). CAR PURCHASED ON 11/8/17. ON 11/16/17, CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY WITH IGNITION OFF AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171120

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, SHE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR EMITTING FROM THE RADIATOR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130826

AIR BAGS

3 of 22 total reports mention: air bags.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 of 22 total reports mention: vehicle speed control.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A RESIDENTIAL PARKING GARAGE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND ABRUPTLY AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS LIGHTLY DEPRESSED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130826

POWER TRAIN

2 of 22 total reports mention: power train.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20010928 — engine and engine cooling

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 CIRC

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

Campaign 01V206000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20031110 — air bags

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A MICROPROCESSOR IN THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE, WHICH ACTIVATES THE FRONT AIR BAGS, THE SIDE AIR BAGS, THE FRONT SEAT SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONERS, AND THE BATTERY SAFETY T

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER10, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Campaign 03V421000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190314 — air bags

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator.

Campaign 19V015000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — engine and engine cooling

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED.

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).

Campaign 02V138000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2001 BMW 525I — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (4 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V138000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V206000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V421000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V015000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2001 BMW 525I reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 BMW 525I?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 525I have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.