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2001 BMW 5 Series: common problems and reliability
· E39An average 5 Series year.
104 owner complaints, most about air bags. 7 recalls.
Should I buy a 2001 5 Series?The 2001 BMW 5 Series has 104 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and electrical system. Owners most often flag cooling system failures (plastic expansion tank, radiator, water pump impellers, thermostat housing).
Safety record for the 2001 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2001 BMW 5 Series vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other 5 Series years only. How we score it
Is 2001 a good year for the 5 Series?
Across the 30 5 Series model years we track, complaint volume runs from 17 (2022) to 1,947 (2011). With 104 complaints, the 2001 5 Series sits about the same as the model's median of 111.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2001 5 Series
steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting
Campaign 19E058000ZF Group North America Operations (ZF) is recalling certain Lemförder Steering Center Rods sold as aftermarket parts for 1996-2004 BMW 5-Series (E39) vehicles. The steering center rods may have an insufficient ball pin pull force that may allow the rods to detach from the steering knuckle.
engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan
Campaign 12E029000This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan
Campaign 01V206000VEHICLE 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.
engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan
Campaign 02V138000ON 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.
Show 3 more recalls
air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Campaign 03V421000ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A MICROPROCESSOR IN THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE, WHICH ACTIVATES THE FRONT AIR BAGS, THE SIDE AIR BAGS, THE FRONT SEAT SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONERS, AND THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL, MAY HAVE A MALFUNCTION THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UNINTENDED ACTIVATION OF ONE OR MORE OF THESE COMPONENTS.
air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 19V015000BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 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.
air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 17V047000BMW 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.
What owners report on the E39 5 Series
Owners regard the E39 as one of the last relatively simple, driver-focused BMWs, praising its steering feel, balanced handling, and premium executive character.
- Very frequentCooling system failures (plastic expansion tank, radiator, water pump impellers, thermostat housing)
- RecurrentM62 V8 timing chain guide failure
- RecurrentM62 V8 Vanos unit failure (TU models)
- RecurrentM54 excessive oil consumption at high mileage due to piston ring design
- RecurrentOil leaks from V8 engines (M62)
Owner insights for the E39 5 Series. Read the full E39 owner report.
Typical used price
Used 5 Series listings typically run $13,000–$30,593.
Other 5 Series model years
Compare every 5 Series year side by side to see how 2001 ranks against the rest.
Compare the 5 Series against its rivals
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