2001 BMW X5 Recalls

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NHTSA safety recall results (7)

Recall information provided by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Component not known

On these passenger vehicles, due to a manufacturing problem, the brake pedal arm pivot shaft could loosen from its support bracket. Eventually, the brake pedal arm could detach from the bracket, rendering the service braking system ineffective, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall consequence
Recall action: 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. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during August 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-332-4269.

Component not known

On certain sport utility vehicles, over an extended period of time, abrasion particles could deposit on the electrical contacts within the transmission gear position indicator switch, causing a disruption of the electric current through the contacts. If the disruption occurs when the vehicle is stationary with the transmission in the Neutral or Park positions, the transmission will switch automatically into the emergency program, which is displayed in the instrument cluster via a warning lamp and a message, "TRANS. FAIL-SAFE PROG." In this case, the vehicle can be driven in lower gears only with limited engine output. If this problem occurs, the ability to maintain speed in traffic and/or accelerate could be greatly diminished, possibly leading to a crash.

Recall consequence
Recall action: Dealers will replace the transmission gear position indicator switch. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during July 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

Component not known

On certain passenger vehicles, the engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating. If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result. In addition, it is possible for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause a fire in the fan control unit, which is mounted on the fan and located in the front of the engine compartment.

Recall consequence
Recall action: Dealers will replace the fan. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during July 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

Component not known

During assembly of these sport utility vehicles, the lower end of the steering column spindle may not have been inserted completely into the coupling. In such a case, the fastening bolt used to secure the connection may not completely engage the spindle within the coupling. During driving, it would be possible for the spindle to disconnect, resulting in a loss of steering capability and increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall consequence
Recall action: 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. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin during March 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

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 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.

Recall consequence: 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.
Recall action: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 15, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

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. The inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Recall consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall action: 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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 23, 2025. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 19V015.

Air bags

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 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. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Recall consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall action: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 4, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.