2002 BMW 530I 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 2002 BMW 530I, 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
- Airbags825.8%
- Driver assistance516.1%
- Interior & seats39.7%
- Engine39.7%
- Suspension26.5%
- Transmission26.5%
- Steering26.5%
- Powertrain (other)13.2%
- Tires & wheels13.2%
- Electrical13.2%
- Heating & air conditioning13.2%
- Body & structure13.2%
- Exterior lighting13.2%
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL
I GOT I RECALL FOR REPAIR OF AIRGAG, BUT I DONT FEEL SAFE AT ALL ON THIS CAR, SPOKE TO NORTH AMERICA BMW TO CHANG THE CAR AND REPLACE IT THEY REFUSE EVEN THEY PUT MY LIFE ON DANGER WITH A DEFECT CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE COOLANT LEAKS AND POWER STEERING LEAKS AND OIL LEAKS , MY ALIGNMENT IN BATIRES ARE INWARD CAUSING MY TIRES TO WORN OUT QUICK, ELECTRIC PROBLEM SOMETIMES CAR WON'T START RANDOMLY MAKING ME TO JUMP START IT, MY SUSPENSION IS BAD NOT SURE WHY BUT CAUSING MY TIRE TRACTION LIGHT GO ON MAKES IT VERY HARD TO STAY IN CONTROL OF CAR WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR AND FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE CRASH. AFTER THE CRASH THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FRONT SEAT GET TWISTED HERE IS A VIDEO: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=WM3HKVKGLXM. *TR
HEATED DRIVER SEAT WILL BURN LEG OR BACK. HEATER HAS BURNED HOLE THROUGH LEATHER. PLAZA MOTORS / ST. LOUIS MO INFORMED ME THAT BMW WILL NOT FIX. HEATER IS A FIRE HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE FAN EXPLODED. THE PLASTIC BLADES PIERCED THE HOOD AND IN ADDITION TO THE FAN AND FAN CLUTCH BEING GONE, THE FAN SHROUD IS GONE, AND IT CUT THE POWER STEERING, OIL FILTER, AND UPPER RADIATOR HOSES. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 530I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A CLOUD OF SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART SO IT WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD OIL SEPARATOR FAILED, RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE COOLANT LEAKS AND POWER STEERING LEAKS AND OIL LEAKS , MY ALIGNMENT IN BATIRES ARE INWARD CAUSING MY TIRES TO WORN OUT QUICK, ELECTRIC PROBLEM SOMETIMES CAR WON'T START RANDOMLY MAKING ME TO JUMP START IT, MY SUSPENSION IS BAD NOT SURE WHY BUT CAUSING MY TIRE TRACTION LIGHT GO ON MAKES IT VERY HARD TO STAY IN CONTROL OF CAR WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY
SUSPENSION.....STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2002 BMW 530I ON AUGUST 24, 2011 AND ABOUT THREE WEEKS IN TO OWNING THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT SEEMS THE CODE READS P0741 I.E. TORQUE CONVERTER SOLENOID CIRCUIT STUCK OFF. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 107K ON IT HOWEVER, DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE ANY MISFIRE OR TRANSMISSION ISSUES WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BMW FOR AN INSPECTION/CHECKUP TO BE SURE THERE WERE NO MAJOR ISSUES AND THEY GAVE IT A THUMBS UP HOWEVER, THIS WAS BEFORE THE CODE/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ENGAGED ON THE DASHED BOARD OF THE VEHICLE. BASED ON THE SERVICE BULLETIN FOR BMW IT APPEARS THIS SHOULD BE COVERED SINCE IT'S A COMMON OCCURRENCE. I NEED TO FIND OUT HOW TO GET THIS PROBLEM RECTIFIED. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 BMW 530I WITH AUTO TRANSMISSION. TRANNY MODEL 5HP19. AT AROUND 85,000, SOMETIME IN MID-JULY 2006, I BEGAN TO HAVE AN INTERMITTENT (ON FOR MAYBE 300-500 MILES, THEN OFF FOR AROUND 7000 TO 10000 MILES) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE CEL CODE WAS ALWAYS DIAGNOSED AS P0741 - "TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH CIRCUIT PERFORMANCE OR STUCK OFF." SINCE 120,000 MILES, THE SAME CODE IS MUCH MORE FREQUENT, MAYBE 600-800 MILES BETWEEN TURNING ON-OFF. I HAVE CONTACTED MY BMW DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS SINCE THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED AT AROUND 85,000 MILES, AND A FEW TIMES AFTER SINCE. THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT AY MY COST, ALTHOUGH THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE AND THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS. AFTER TALKING TO OTHER BMW OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, AND GETTING A COPY OF THE SERVICE BULLETIN, IT WOULD SEEM THAT THIS IS A COMMONLY KNOWN AND RECURRING PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED. I BELIEVE THAT BMW SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR COST, EVEN IF THE VEHICLE IS OF HIGH MILEAGE (AS MINE HAS 160,000 MILES NOW.) THE SERVICE BULLETIN SAYS THE PROBLEM IS A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER SEAL. HERE IS PARTIAL TEXT OF THE BMW SERVICE BULLETIN: THIS SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN SUPERSEDES SI 24 03 06 DATED FEBRUARY 2008. DESIGNATES CHANGES TO THIS REVISION SUBJECT ZF 5HP19 TRANSMISSION - DIAGNOSIS OF EGS FC 048 (30 HEX) MODEL E46: 323I, 325I, 330I WITH M52TU, M54, M56 AND ZF 5HP19 E39: 525I, 530I WITH M54 AND ZF 5HP19 E85: Z4 ROADSTER 2.5, 3.0 WITH M54 AND ZF 5HP19 SITUATION "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" IS ILLUMINATED AND FAULT CODE 048 "CONVERTER LOCK-UP EXCESSIVE SLIP" (30 HEX OR P0741) IS STORED IN THE EGS TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. CAUSE POSSIBLE CAUSE: DETERIORATION OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER TURBINE SHAFT SEAL *END SERVICE BULLETIN TEXT* ALL I SIMPLY WANT IS BMW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT THEIR COST. THE PROBLEM CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, WHICH PREVENTS ME FROM OBTAINING A CLEAR SMOG TEST ON MY CAR TO REGISTER IT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
NOT SURE WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO WRITE. I SEEN THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE STEERING. AND THAT CONSEQUENCES FOR FAILURE OF THAT PART CAN BE LESS OF CONTROL THAT DONT SOUND SAFE AT ALL.
I HAVE COOLANT LEAKS AND POWER STEERING LEAKS AND OIL LEAKS , MY ALIGNMENT IN BATIRES ARE INWARD CAUSING MY TIRES TO WORN OUT QUICK, ELECTRIC PROBLEM SOMETIMES CAR WON'T START RANDOMLY MAKING ME TO JUMP START IT, MY SUSPENSION IS BAD NOT SURE WHY BUT CAUSING MY TIRE TRACTION LIGHT GO ON MAKES IT VERY HARD TO STAY IN CONTROL OF CAR WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
AT 78,600 MILES THE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DIAGNOSIS WAS P0741 (BMW CODE 48) WHICH IS A FAULT WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH (TCC). THIS FAILURE UNTIL CORRECTED RESULTS IN LOWER FUEL MILEAGE, AND A GUARANTEED FAILURE TO PASS THE EMISSIONS TEST DURING STATE MANDATED VEHICLE INSPECTIONS. ADD TO THIS THAT CONTINUED USE OF THE VEHICLE WILL LIKELY RESULT IN TRANSMISSION DAMAGE SINCE THE TCC LOCKUP CLUTCH IS SLIPPING RESULTING IN DEBRIS BUILDING UP IN THE FLUID. THIS FAULT IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SEAL THAT BMW HAS A HIDDEN SERVICE BULLETIN ON. SEE SI 24 03 06 DATED FEBRUARY 2008. REPLACEMENT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS EXPENSIVE. BMW DEALER QUOTED A BIT MORE THAN $3000 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I'VE SINCE DETERMINED THROUGH A BMW FORUM THAT THIS ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF FAILURES TAKING PLACE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE SEAL IN QUESTION HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED AND THAT FAILURE OF THE SEAL WILL LIKELY TAKE PLACE AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. *TR *KB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
We purchased two identical new Pirelli P Zero P245/35/ZR20 91Y tires and had them professionally installed. The mechanic noticed that after installation one of the tires pulled hard to one side. The vehicle was aligned but the issue persisted, so they moved the tire to the other vehicle side. Now the vehicle pulled to that side, at which point we were told the problem was the tire, either a belt separation or other internal tire manufacturing defect. They suggested we contact the manufacturer and get a warranty replacement tire. We have been trying for weeks to get a replacement tire sent out from Pirelli, but they have been unwilling to work with us.
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
CAME OUT IN MORNING AFTER PARKING CAR IN DRIVEWAY AND IT WOULDN'T START. SMELLED FUNNY. HAD IT TOWED. MECHANIC FOUND MY LCM HAD CAUGHT FIRE. ALL WIRING AND HARNESS MELTED.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE HEATED SEAT WARMER WAS ACTIVATED TO A LOW SETTING WHEN THE SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. THERE WAS SMOKE AND AN ABNORMAL ODOR PRESENT. AS A RESULT, A HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS EXPOSED TO RAINY CONDITIONS, WATER WOULD ENTER AND FLOOD THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DOORS. THE WATER WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DOOR PANELS DUE TO THE MATERIALS THAT THE PANELS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM, AS WELL AS IMPROPER SEALING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
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
RE HID LIGHTS: MY VISION IS IMPAIRED IN THE EVENING WHEN A CAR COMES ALONG WITH THE HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE LIGHTS. FOR ME IT IS REALLY A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. MY SAFE DRIVING IS ALSO AFFECTED WHEN HID HEADLIGHTS SHINE IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. THEY ARE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD FOR MANY OF US AND MIGHT ALREADY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS. *JB
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 .