2001 BMW X5

◆ Worse than typical
2001 BMW X5
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:45:56.682Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, BMW X5 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2001 highlighted. 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 29 complaints 2001: 160 complaints 2001 2002: 102 complaints 2003: 99 complaints 2003 2004: 64 complaints 2005: 82 complaints 2006: 167 complaints 2007: 71 complaints 2007 2008: 215 complaints 2009: 138 complaints 2010: 122 complaints 2011: 263 complaints 2011 2012: 271 complaints 2013: 148 complaints 2014: 98 complaints 2015: 149 complaints 2015 2016: 70 complaints 2017: 73 complaints 2018: 67 complaints 2019: 177 complaints 2019 2020: 97 complaints 2021: 95 complaints 2022: 56 complaints 2023: 29 complaints 2023 2024: 141 complaints 2025: 56 complaints 2026: 10 complaints 2026
2001: 160 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19990
200029
2001160
2002102
200399
200464
200582
2006167
200771
2008215
2009138
2010122
2011263
2012271
2013148
201498
2015149
201670
201773
201867
2019177
202097
202195
202256
202329
2024141
202556
202610

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 10%

10% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 16 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 15 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TAKATA RECALL I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR NOTICED WHEN I STARTED IT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG AREA I IMMEDIATELY SHUT IT OFF BUT THERE WAS SMOKE STILL COMING AND GETTING THICKER I IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 I WAS ON THE...

NHTSA ODI report, 20190801

CONSUMER STATED HER VEHICLE HAS CAUGHT FIRE TWICE, AND IT LOCKED HER INSIDE. SHE ALSO STATED THAT HER AUX. FAN WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRES. SHE STATED THE FAN WAS CHANGED 4 TIMES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030808

I bought this vehicle and turns out the license plate reads as a Tahoe and now the electricial system u plugged speedometer don't work and everything is going out I need help I'm low on money but need help or resources email me [XXX] INFORMATION...

NHTSA ODI report, 20241205

AIR BAGS 9%

9% of complaints: air bags — 15 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TAKATA RECALL I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR NOTICED WHEN I STARTED IT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG AREA I IMMEDIATELY SHUT IT OFF BUT THERE WAS SMOKE STILL COMING AND GETTING THICKER I IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 I WAS ON THE...

NHTSA ODI report, 20190801

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171214

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%

8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 13 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE AUXILIARY FAN WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE FUSE FOR THE FAN AND THE FUSE CAUGHT ON FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120309

VISIBILITY 8%

8% of complaints: visibility — 12 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20000927 — seat belts

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BOLTS AND CORRECT THE TORQUE IF NECESSARY.

Campaign 00V261000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20001114 — steering

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

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 NE

Campaign 00V341000 — check if this car was fixed

2001 — complaint volume: 160
R 20010206 — steering

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 BO

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

Campaign 01V030000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010814 — power train

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 ELECTRI

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 DA

Campaign 01V196000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010817 — steering

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.

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 P

Campaign 01V173000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010817 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 T

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 BE

Campaign 01V197000 — check if this car was fixed

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 20020814 — service brakes, hydraulic

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM PIVOT SHAFT COULD LOOSEN FROM ITS SUPPORT BRACKET.

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 AUGUS

Campaign 02V194000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030214 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 COUL

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

Campaign 03V001000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170315 — air bags

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...

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.

Campaign 17V047000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20251229 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 25V748000 — 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 X5 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for latches/locks/linkages issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V138000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V261000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V341000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V030000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V196000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V173000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V197000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V206000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V194000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V001000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V047000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 25V748000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2025 ▲ 2022 ▲ 2004

WORST YEARS

■ 2012 ■ 2011 ■ 2008

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2001 BMW X5 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 BMW X5 is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2001 BMW X5?

The most-reported component is latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch, accounting for 10% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2001 BMW X5 have?

12 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.