2001 BMW 530 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 BMW 530, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine325.0%
- Electrical216.7%
- Brakes18.3%
- Heating & air conditioning18.3%
- Driver assistance18.3%
- Fuel system18.3%
- Airbags18.3%
- Exterior lighting18.3%
- Body & structure18.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR HAD EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE OVERHEATING. AT THE TIME OF INCIDENTS THE OVERHEATING WAS A MYSTERY, UNTIL AFTER INCIDENT WAS THAT IT WAS LEARNED THAT THESE VEHICLES DISPLAY PROBLEMS WITH AUXILIARY FAN WHICH CAUSES ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND DEVELOP IRREPARABLE DAMAGES. AN ELECTRICAL FIRE DEVELOP IN ENGINE BAY WHICH DESTROY ALL WIRING, FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION. ALSO, THE BLOCK (WHICH IS ALLOY OR WEAK ALUMINUM) WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIRED. HEADS WERE REPLACED AND IT WAS HEN THAT I LEARNED BLOCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. AS A RESULT, ENTIRE ENGINE WAS SWAPPED, AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED. I CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA VIA EMAIL AND TELEPHONE TO INQUIRE ABOUT RECALLS REGARDING THIS MATTER. THERE ARE RECALLS ON THE ABOVE MENTIONED FACTORY DEFECTS, BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED. I ALREADY SPENT AROUND $8,000.00 IN REPAIRS BECAUSE BMW CLAIM MY VEHICLES IS NOT COVERED. WHY IS IT NOT COVERED WHEN IT IS PRESENTING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE CARS COVERED BY RECALL. ALSO, BECAUSE OF BMW NEGLECT IN INCLUDING MY VEHICLES, I ALREADY SPENT THOUSAND OF DOLLARS AND THE LIVES OF HUMANS BEING WERE PUT IN JEOPARDY. UNFORTUNATELY, THE AUXILIARY FAN IN Y 5 SERIES IS STILL NOT WORKING AND IT COST BETWEEN 3-5 HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPLACE AND THAT IS NOT INCLUDING LABOR. WHY DO I HAVE TO SPEND SO MUCH MONEY WHEN BMW SHOULD HAVE BUILT AN EXCELLENT QUALITY CAR FOR THE MONEY THAT THIS VEHICLE COST. THE ENGINE BLOCK MATERIAL IS OF BAD QUALITY AND ITS ELECTRONIC SYSTEM OF EXTREMELY BAD QUALITY AND BMW DOES NOT WANT TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT ND STILL CLAIM TO BE, "THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE" A CHEAP CELICA OR COROLLA IS OF BETTER QUALITY FOR FAR LESS MONEY. *TR
CONSUMER BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND HAD THE RECALL FOR THE AUXILLARY FAN WORKED ON. THE FAN IS EXTREMEMLY NOISY AND WHINES OVER THE SOUND OF THE RADIO. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE REPLACEMENT FAN WAS LOUDER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER, THERE WAS A SENSOR OR SOME OTHER ITEM STICKING UP IN THE VENT DUCTS.(2001 BMW 530I) *JG
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR HAD EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE OVERHEATING. AT THE TIME OF INCIDENTS THE OVERHEATING WAS A MYSTERY, UNTIL AFTER INCIDENT WAS THAT IT WAS LEARNED THAT THESE VEHICLES DISPLAY PROBLEMS WITH AUXILIARY FAN WHICH CAUSES ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND DEVELOP IRREPARABLE DAMAGES. AN ELECTRICAL FIRE DEVELOP IN ENGINE BAY WHICH DESTROY ALL WIRING, FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION. ALSO, THE BLOCK (WHICH IS ALLOY OR WEAK ALUMINUM) WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIRED. HEADS WERE REPLACED AND IT WAS HEN THAT I LEARNED BLOCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. AS A RESULT, ENTIRE ENGINE WAS SWAPPED, AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED. I CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA VIA EMAIL AND TELEPHONE TO INQUIRE ABOUT RECALLS REGARDING THIS MATTER. THERE ARE RECALLS ON THE ABOVE MENTIONED FACTORY DEFECTS, BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED. I ALREADY SPENT AROUND $8,000.00 IN REPAIRS BECAUSE BMW CLAIM MY VEHICLES IS NOT COVERED. WHY IS IT NOT COVERED WHEN IT IS PRESENTING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE CARS COVERED BY RECALL. ALSO, BECAUSE OF BMW NEGLECT IN INCLUDING MY VEHICLES, I ALREADY SPENT THOUSAND OF DOLLARS AND THE LIVES OF HUMANS BEING WERE PUT IN JEOPARDY. UNFORTUNATELY, THE AUXILIARY FAN IN Y 5 SERIES IS STILL NOT WORKING AND IT COST BETWEEN 3-5 HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPLACE AND THAT IS NOT INCLUDING LABOR. WHY DO I HAVE TO SPEND SO MUCH MONEY WHEN BMW SHOULD HAVE BUILT AN EXCELLENT QUALITY CAR FOR THE MONEY THAT THIS VEHICLE COST. THE ENGINE BLOCK MATERIAL IS OF BAD QUALITY AND ITS ELECTRONIC SYSTEM OF EXTREMELY BAD QUALITY AND BMW DOES NOT WANT TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT ND STILL CLAIM TO BE, "THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE" A CHEAP CELICA OR COROLLA IS OF BETTER QUALITY FOR FAR LESS MONEY. *TR
VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO LOSS OF POWER, CRUISE CONTROL AND AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE, AND OTHER SWITCHES WILL GO OUT ON THEIR OWN. DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO ACTUALLY CORRECT THE ERRATIC PERFORMANCE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ABS ELECTRONIC MODULE FAILS. IN THIS CASE IT LASTED A LONG TIME BUT WHEN IT FAILS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) AND DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC) WON'T FUNCTION. BASED ON WEB FORUMS THIS PART SEEMS TO HAVE A HIGH FAILURE RATE (AND NOT JUST IN BMW'S) BUT IF WE DON'T REPORT THE PROBLEM HERE, THE PEOPLE WHO CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT WILL NEVER KNOW. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE WOULD FALL AND SCRAPE THE FREEWAY, PAVEMENT, OR ROAD. ON ONE INCIDENT, WHEN THE UNDERCARRIAGE HAD FELL, THE BUMBER HAD LOST A SCREW THAT MADE THE BUMPER HANG DOWN ABOUT 4 INCHES. *SCC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ABS ELECTRONIC MODULE FAILS. IN THIS CASE IT LASTED A LONG TIME BUT WHEN IT FAILS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) AND DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC) WON'T FUNCTION. BASED ON WEB FORUMS THIS PART SEEMS TO HAVE A HIGH FAILURE RATE (AND NOT JUST IN BMW'S) BUT IF WE DON'T REPORT THE PROBLEM HERE, THE PEOPLE WHO CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT WILL NEVER KNOW. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR HAD EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE OVERHEATING. AT THE TIME OF INCIDENTS THE OVERHEATING WAS A MYSTERY, UNTIL AFTER INCIDENT WAS THAT IT WAS LEARNED THAT THESE VEHICLES DISPLAY PROBLEMS WITH AUXILIARY FAN WHICH CAUSES ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND DEVELOP IRREPARABLE DAMAGES. AN ELECTRICAL FIRE DEVELOP IN ENGINE BAY WHICH DESTROY ALL WIRING, FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION. ALSO, THE BLOCK (WHICH IS ALLOY OR WEAK ALUMINUM) WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIRED. HEADS WERE REPLACED AND IT WAS HEN THAT I LEARNED BLOCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. AS A RESULT, ENTIRE ENGINE WAS SWAPPED, AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED. I CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA VIA EMAIL AND TELEPHONE TO INQUIRE ABOUT RECALLS REGARDING THIS MATTER. THERE ARE RECALLS ON THE ABOVE MENTIONED FACTORY DEFECTS, BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED. I ALREADY SPENT AROUND $8,000.00 IN REPAIRS BECAUSE BMW CLAIM MY VEHICLES IS NOT COVERED. WHY IS IT NOT COVERED WHEN IT IS PRESENTING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE CARS COVERED BY RECALL. ALSO, BECAUSE OF BMW NEGLECT IN INCLUDING MY VEHICLES, I ALREADY SPENT THOUSAND OF DOLLARS AND THE LIVES OF HUMANS BEING WERE PUT IN JEOPARDY. UNFORTUNATELY, THE AUXILIARY FAN IN Y 5 SERIES IS STILL NOT WORKING AND IT COST BETWEEN 3-5 HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPLACE AND THAT IS NOT INCLUDING LABOR. WHY DO I HAVE TO SPEND SO MUCH MONEY WHEN BMW SHOULD HAVE BUILT AN EXCELLENT QUALITY CAR FOR THE MONEY THAT THIS VEHICLE COST. THE ENGINE BLOCK MATERIAL IS OF BAD QUALITY AND ITS ELECTRONIC SYSTEM OF EXTREMELY BAD QUALITY AND BMW DOES NOT WANT TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT ND STILL CLAIM TO BE, "THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE" A CHEAP CELICA OR COROLLA IS OF BETTER QUALITY FOR FAR LESS MONEY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE WOULD FALL AND SCRAPE THE FREEWAY, PAVEMENT, OR ROAD. ON ONE INCIDENT, WHEN THE UNDERCARRIAGE HAD FELL, THE BUMBER HAD LOST A SCREW THAT MADE THE BUMPER HANG DOWN ABOUT 4 INCHES. *SCC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE WOULD FALL AND SCRAPE THE FREEWAY, PAVEMENT, OR ROAD. ON ONE INCIDENT, WHEN THE UNDERCARRIAGE HAD FELL, THE BUMBER HAD LOST A SCREW THAT MADE THE BUMPER HANG DOWN ABOUT 4 INCHES. *SCC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .