2001 BMW 525I problems
The 2001 BMW 525I has 31 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (19%) concerns electrical system. After that come air bags (16%) and engine (16%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 31 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 19% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 9
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 94,000 miles 20 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 4 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 6 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Among the 20 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 94,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 9 complaints mention a fire; 3 injuries reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 98% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2001 ranks 9th most-complained-about out of 10 model years of the BMW 525I with enough data (8 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving at 20 MPH and making left turning consumer's vehicle was involved in a collision. Upon impact, neither the side or front driver air bag deployed. Driver sustained chest, shoulders, and arm injuries from impacting the steering wheel.
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. The contact crashed into a wall and the air bags deployed. The contact sustained a fractured jaw from the air bag striking her face. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000. The VIN was unavailable.
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. The temperature gauge began to read extremely hot with the illumination of the engine warning indicator. Also, light gray smoke emitted from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road and then towed to an authorized dealer.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 BMW 525I. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated without warning when he shifted into drive. He had to shut off the vehicle in order for it to stop. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. As of october 31, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 40,000 and current mileage was 70,000. Updated 11/15/07