Federal safety advisory

Do not drive this vehicle until the repair is completed.

Model year record

2001 BMW X5

12 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 217 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 25V748000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected: 5,361
Reported to NHTSA: 2025-10-31
Owners notified: 2025-12-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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. 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V047000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected: 230,117
Reported to NHTSA: 2017-01-20
Owners notified: 2017-03-15

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V001000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected: 84,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-01-09
Owners notified: 2003-02-14

Defect description

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 COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE TIRE AND BE SUBJECTED TO WEAR AND ABRASION.

Safety risk

THIS COULD INITIALLY CAUSE SOME BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, AND EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. THERE COULD BE A NOTICEABLE REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCE IF A LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE OCCURS.

Manufacturer 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 WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V194000

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected: 34,860
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-07-24
Owners notified: 2002-08-14

Defect description

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

Safety risk

EVENTUALLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM COULD DETACH FROM THE BRACKET, RENDERING THE SERVICE BRAKING SYSTEM INEFFECTIVE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 AUGUST 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-332-4269.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V138000

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan

Component: Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected: 1,550
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-05-16

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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 LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Manufacturer 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). OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V206000

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan

Component: Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected: 76,469
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-06-21
Owners notified: 2001-09-28

Defect description

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 CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.

Safety risk

Manufacturer 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 WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V196000

Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch

Component: Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected: 14,300
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-06-14
Owners notified: 2001-08-14

Defect description

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 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.

Safety risk

IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN SPEED IN TRAFFIC AND/OR ACCELERATE COULD BE GREATLY DIMINISHED, POSSIBLY LEADING TO A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V197000

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected: 36
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-06-14
Owners notified: 2001-08-17

Defect description

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 THAT PROTRUDE THROUGH THE FIREWALL. IN SUCH A CASE, THE NUT(S) WOULD NOT BE FULLY SEATED ON THE STUD(S).

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURRED, THE EFFECTIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL COULD BE REDUCED DUE TO RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE PEDAL AND BOOSTER. BRAKING PERFORMANCE WHILE DRIVING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BOOSTER COULD DEVELOP A LEAK AFTER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME RESULTING IN A REDUCTION IN BRAKE POWER ASSIST.

Manufacturer 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 BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V173000

Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump

Component: Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected: 47
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-05-24
Owners notified: 2001-08-17

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IN SUCH A CASE, THE BOLTS COULD ULTIMATELY LOOSEN CAUSING THE PULLEY TO THROW OFF THE DRIVE BELT. THIS WOULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CERTAIN ENGINE AUXILIARY FUNCTIONS, I.E., POWER STEERING ASSIST, WATER PUMP, OR ALTERNATOR. STEERING EFFORT WOULD THEN BE INCREASED.

Manufacturer 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 PUMP, PULLEY, ATTACHING BOLTS, AND DRIVE BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V030000

Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm

Component: Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected: 13,791
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-02-06
Owners notified: 2001-02-06

Defect description

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 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.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V341000

Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting

Component: Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected: 2,643
Reported to NHTSA: 2000-10-24
Owners notified: 2000-11-14

Defect description

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 LOOSENING OF THE NUT AND, INITIALLY TO STEERING WHEEL PLAY AND/OR MISALIGNMENT, AS WELL AS NOISE FROM THE STEERING LINKAGE. IF VEHICLE OPERATION CONTINUES, THE TIE ROD COULD DISCONNECT FROM THE STEERING GEAR BOX.

Safety risk

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD RESULT.

Manufacturer 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 NECESSARY, AND A FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT WILL BE PERFORMED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V261000

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component: Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected: 490
Reported to NHTSA: 2000-09-11
Owners notified: 2000-09-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ITS MAXIMUM RESTRAINT FUNCTION.

Manufacturer remedy

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

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Air bags	17	138,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	16	65,100 mi
Electrical system	15	60,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	13	88,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	12	65,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	9	88,570 mi
Engine	7	181,060 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan	7	88,000 mi
Structure: body: door	6	83,000 mi
Steering	5	120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	4	109,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	4	26,780 mi
Power train	4	114,000 mi
Service brakes	4	130,000 mi
Unknown or other	4	10 mi
Electrical system: ignition	3	—
Engine and engine cooling: engine	3	106,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	3	57,000 mi
Exterior lighting	3	72,000 mi
Seats	3	145,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler	3	28,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	3	—
Electrical system: ignition: switch	2	78,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring	2	820,136 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	2	115,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	2	—
Exterior lighting: brake lights	2	40,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	2	—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	2	55,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	2	33,000 mi
Steering: column	2	62,000 mi
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm	2	113,744 mi
Structure	2	63,200 mi
Structure: body	2	270,000 mi
Suspension	2	115,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	2	66,500 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	2	9,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	1	—
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module	1	—
Air bags: side/window	1	15,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	1	72,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	1	530,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)	1	56,700 mi
Equipment	1	—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	—
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer	1	—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights	1	65,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	1	77,900 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights	1	124,498 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal	1	29,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage	1	113,744 mi
Fuel system, other	1	820,136 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	1	—
Parking brake	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch	1	155,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission	1	—
Seat belts	1	—
Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages	1	35,500 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar	1	—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)	1	41,000 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments	1	—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate	1	—
Structure: body: trunk lid	1	—
Suspension: front	1	57,317 mi
Suspension: front: control arm	1	—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint	1	—
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly: leaf	1	38,000 mi
Suspension: rear	1	—
Tires	1	—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	1	61,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices	1	—
Wheels	1	—

The 2000 model has 6 times as many complaints as this one. The 2002 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.