2001 BMW 525I

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

ON 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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

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.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

BMW 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 steeri

We arrived at church, and I remained behind finishing my makeup. My husband locked the car with the fob out of habit, and my foot was holding the passenger door open. Forgetting the door had been locked with the fob, I accidentally allowed the passenger door to close. I had no keys. Services began, not a soul in site outside. I began to panic when I could not get the door or any other to open. The alarm would not trigger, and the sunroof was cracked accidentally about an inch. It was July. I could not get anyone to hear me, and could not get any door or window ajar. Eventually I was able to get the attention of an elder, who went and retrieved the keys and got me out. I was soaked in sweat, using an inhaler about every 20 minutes, extremely scary. The other time this happened, my son was sitting in the car but the alarm went off and would not let him out until I came with the fob. He was 15, so he was not young. I had no idea he could not exit the vehicle should he choose. I know there

We arrived at church, and I remained behind finishing my makeup. My husband locked the car with the fob out of habit, and my foot was holding the passenger door open. Forgetting the door had been locked with the fob, I accidentally allowed the passenger door to close. I had no keys. Services began, not a soul in site outside. I began to panic when I could not get the door or any other to open. The alarm would not trigger, and the sunroof was cracked accidentally about an inch. It was July. I could not get anyone to hear me, and could not get any door or window ajar. Eventually I was able to get the attention of an elder, who went and retrieved the keys and got me out. I was soaked in sweat, using an inhaler about every 20 minutes, extremely scary. The other time this happened, my son was sitting in the car but the alarm went off and would not let him out until I came with the fob. He was 15, so he was not young. I had no idea he could not exit the vehicle should he choose. I know there

BMW IS USING THE RECALL TO FORCE PEOPLE BACK INTO THEIR SERVICE CENTER. EVEN WHEN A REPAIR ISN'T REQUIRED. THEN, THEY TELL YOU THAT THERE ARE 100 OTHER THINGS THAT ARE NEEDED ON YOUR VEHICLE. ATTACHED ARE THE SAMPLES OF THE DOCUMENTS. THIS BEHAVIOR IS FRAUDULENT AND DECEPTIVE. EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW MY VEHICLE DOES NOT NEED THIS AIRBAG, THEY CONTINUE TO SEND ANNOYING LETTERS.

I DROVE THE CAR A MILE TO THE STORE AND A MILE BACK AND WHEN I WAS WALKING AWAY YOU COULD SEE A SPARK AND THEN A MINUTE LATER ANOTHER ONE AND ANOTHER UNTIL THEN THE CAR STARTED SMOKING AND WITHIN 4 MINUTES THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. MY SECURITY CAMERAS CAUGHT THE WHOLE THING ON TAPE. WE TRIED OUR BEST TO CONTAIN THE FIRE BUT IT TOOK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT IT OUT.

Mileage: 177,000

I DROVE THE CAR A MILE TO THE STORE AND A MILE BACK AND WHEN I WAS WALKING AWAY YOU COULD SEE A SPARK AND THEN A MINUTE LATER ANOTHER ONE AND ANOTHER UNTIL THEN THE CAR STARTED SMOKING AND WITHIN 4 MINUTES THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. MY SECURITY CAMERAS CAUGHT THE WHOLE THING ON TAPE. WE TRIED OUR BEST TO CONTAIN THE FIRE BUT IT TOOK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT IT OUT.

Mileage: 177,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PARKING AND RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE, UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE DETECTED A BURNING ODOR AND FLAMES EXITING THE FRONT OF HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN OPENING THE HOOD HE SAW FIRE LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE RADIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED HE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH WATER HE HAD AVAILABLE. NO POLICE OR FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT WIRES FOR THE ELECTRICAL FAN AND CONTINUED DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED NIELLO BMW ELK GROVE (8580 LAGUNA GROVE DR, ELK GROVE, CA 95757 (916) 687-9000) WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER UNKNOWN RECALL FOR THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING IN 2002.THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

I HAD TAKEN A LONGER ROAD TRIP, AND WAS ON MY WAY BACK, ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE WAY WHEN WE STOPPED FOR DINNER. I PARKED, AND EVERYTHING WAS USUAL. A COUPLE MINUTES LATER, I WENT TO MOVE THE CAR, AND WHILE I WAS WAITING IN A DRIVE-THRU LINE, I SEE SMOKE BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND I SMELL A BURNING SMELL. I PARKED THE CAR BACK WHERE IT HAD BEEN, AND, THINKING IT WAS A COOLANT ISSUE, OPENED THE HOOD TO LET THE ENGINE COOL DOWN, AND LEFT MY PASSENGERS WITH THE CAR AND WALKED ACROSS THE STREET TO BUY SOME COOLANT. WHEN I RETURNED, MY PASSENGERS TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NOTICED A FLAME AT THE EXTREME FRONT OF THE ENGINE AND HAD TO DOUSE IT WITH WATER. I CHECKED, AND I SAW THAT THE WIRES LEADING TO THE AUXILIARY COOLING FAN IN FRONT OF THE RADIATOR HAD MELTED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THE PLASTIC NEAR THEM (AS SEEN IN THE PICTURE). I THEN FOUND THE CONNECTOR FOR THOSE WIRES AND DISCONNECTED THEM SO THAT THEY COULD NOT RELIGHT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PR

Mileage: 160,000

I HAD TAKEN A LONGER ROAD TRIP, AND WAS ON MY WAY BACK, ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE WAY WHEN WE STOPPED FOR DINNER. I PARKED, AND EVERYTHING WAS USUAL. A COUPLE MINUTES LATER, I WENT TO MOVE THE CAR, AND WHILE I WAS WAITING IN A DRIVE-THRU LINE, I SEE SMOKE BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND I SMELL A BURNING SMELL. I PARKED THE CAR BACK WHERE IT HAD BEEN, AND, THINKING IT WAS A COOLANT ISSUE, OPENED THE HOOD TO LET THE ENGINE COOL DOWN, AND LEFT MY PASSENGERS WITH THE CAR AND WALKED ACROSS THE STREET TO BUY SOME COOLANT. WHEN I RETURNED, MY PASSENGERS TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NOTICED A FLAME AT THE EXTREME FRONT OF THE ENGINE AND HAD TO DOUSE IT WITH WATER. I CHECKED, AND I SAW THAT THE WIRES LEADING TO THE AUXILIARY COOLING FAN IN FRONT OF THE RADIATOR HAD MELTED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THE PLASTIC NEAR THEM (AS SEEN IN THE PICTURE). I THEN FOUND THE CONNECTOR FOR THOSE WIRES AND DISCONNECTED THEM SO THAT THEY COULD NOT RELIGHT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PR

Mileage: 160,000

THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND OFF MANY TIMES. THERE ARE SEVERAL TIMES AFTER I EXIT THE HIGHWAY CAR SHAKED AND ALMOST CANNOT DRIVE. BUT AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OR PARK ONE DAY, IT CAN DRIVE AGAIN, WHEN IT CAN DRIVE, IT RUNS EXCELLENT. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. IF I DRIVE A LONG DISTANCE, THE LIGHT TURN ON AGAIN. IT EVEN SLOW DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY. CURRENTLY IT CANNOT DRIVE. IT EVER STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY 60TH NOGALES EXIT. TEMPERATURE LIGHT IS ON. I DRIVE IT OF THE HIGHWAY. AFTER I EXIT HIGHWAY, THE STEERING IS LOCKED.

Mileage: 60

THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND OFF MANY TIMES. THERE ARE SEVERAL TIMES AFTER I EXIT THE HIGHWAY CAR SHAKED AND ALMOST CANNOT DRIVE. BUT AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OR PARK ONE DAY, IT CAN DRIVE AGAIN, WHEN IT CAN DRIVE, IT RUNS EXCELLENT. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. IF I DRIVE A LONG DISTANCE, THE LIGHT TURN ON AGAIN. IT EVEN SLOW DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY. CURRENTLY IT CANNOT DRIVE. IT EVER STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY 60TH NOGALES EXIT. TEMPERATURE LIGHT IS ON. I DRIVE IT OF THE HIGHWAY. AFTER I EXIT HIGHWAY, THE STEERING IS LOCKED.

Mileage: 60

THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND OFF MANY TIMES. THERE ARE SEVERAL TIMES AFTER I EXIT THE HIGHWAY CAR SHAKED AND ALMOST CANNOT DRIVE. BUT AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OR PARK ONE DAY, IT CAN DRIVE AGAIN, WHEN IT CAN DRIVE, IT RUNS EXCELLENT. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. IF I DRIVE A LONG DISTANCE, THE LIGHT TURN ON AGAIN. IT EVEN SLOW DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY. CURRENTLY IT CANNOT DRIVE. IT EVER STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY 60TH NOGALES EXIT. TEMPERATURE LIGHT IS ON. I DRIVE IT OF THE HIGHWAY. AFTER I EXIT HIGHWAY, THE STEERING IS LOCKED.

Mileage: 60

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLOW TO CHANGE GEARS INTERMITTENTLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH FORCE. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V015000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLOW TO CHANGE GEARS INTERMITTENTLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH FORCE. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V015000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

POSSIBLE BMW RECALL ISSUE (CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE CAR OFF). CAR PURCHASED ON 11/8/17. ON 11/16/17, CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY WITH IGNITION OFF AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES. APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES LATER, DRIVER HEARD THE CAR ALARM GO OFF WHICH PROMPTED HIM TO GO OUTSIDE AND SAW FLAMES AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DRIVER CALLED 911. CAR CONTINUED TO COMBUST SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE FIRE DEPT GOT TO OUR HOUSE. SEE PICTURES FOR DAMAGE. WE STILL HAVE THE BMW CAR IN QUESTION IN OUR DRIVEWAY.

Mileage: 206,000

POSSIBLE BMW RECALL ISSUE (CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE CAR OFF). CAR PURCHASED ON 11/8/17. ON 11/16/17, CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY WITH IGNITION OFF AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES. APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES LATER, DRIVER HEARD THE CAR ALARM GO OFF WHICH PROMPTED HIM TO GO OUTSIDE AND SAW FLAMES AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DRIVER CALLED 911. CAR CONTINUED TO COMBUST SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE FIRE DEPT GOT TO OUR HOUSE. SEE PICTURES FOR DAMAGE. WE STILL HAVE THE BMW CAR IN QUESTION IN OUR DRIVEWAY.

Mileage: 206,000

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. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V138000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 01V206000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER RECALL. THE REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONSISTED OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WATER PUMP, VALVE COVER GASKET AND THE COOLANT PIPE. IN ADDITION, THE AUXILIARY FAN WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,990.

Mileage: 86,990

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.

Mileage: 102,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 525I. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. AFTER TWO HOURS, THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 166,000. UPDATED 01/14/11*LJ

Mileage: 166,000

UPON ARRIVING HOME FROM 4 MILE ROUND TRIP LIGHT CITY TRAFFIC (25 MPH AVER SPEED), AND ENTERING BASE OF MY DRIVEWAY, MY WELL-SERVICED 2001 BMW 525I (60,000 MILES) SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING, ENGINE QUIT, BATTERY WARNING LIGHTING, AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON, AND LOUD CLANGING NOISE CAME FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. RESTARTED CAR TO PULL FROM STREET INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND SMOKE STARTING COMING OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SHUT CAR OFF AND OPENED HOOD, SAW STEAM COMING OUT OF COOLING SYSTEM EXPANSION TANK WHICH HAD CRACKED. NO MORE THAN 2 MINUTES OCCURRED FROM TIME PROBLEM STARTED UNTIL ENGINE SHUT OFF. UPON INVESTIGATION, ALL BELTS WERE SHREDDED AND BELT PULLEY DISC HAD COME OFF AND WAS SITTING AT BOTTOM OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HAD CAR TOWED TO BMW DEALER NEXT DAY. ALTHOUGH NO INJURIES AND CAR IS COVERED BY WARRANTY, I AM REPORTING AS SAFETY PROBLEM AS DEALER SAID THAT PROBLEM COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC WITH ENGINE SUDDENLY

Mileage: 60,000

UPON ARRIVING HOME FROM 4 MILE ROUND TRIP LIGHT CITY TRAFFIC (25 MPH AVER SPEED), AND ENTERING BASE OF MY DRIVEWAY, MY WELL-SERVICED 2001 BMW 525I (60,000 MILES) SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING, ENGINE QUIT, BATTERY WARNING LIGHTING, AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON, AND LOUD CLANGING NOISE CAME FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. RESTARTED CAR TO PULL FROM STREET INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND SMOKE STARTING COMING OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SHUT CAR OFF AND OPENED HOOD, SAW STEAM COMING OUT OF COOLING SYSTEM EXPANSION TANK WHICH HAD CRACKED. NO MORE THAN 2 MINUTES OCCURRED FROM TIME PROBLEM STARTED UNTIL ENGINE SHUT OFF. UPON INVESTIGATION, ALL BELTS WERE SHREDDED AND BELT PULLEY DISC HAD COME OFF AND WAS SITTING AT BOTTOM OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HAD CAR TOWED TO BMW DEALER NEXT DAY. ALTHOUGH NO INJURIES AND CAR IS COVERED BY WARRANTY, I AM REPORTING AS SAFETY PROBLEM AS DEALER SAID THAT PROBLEM COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC WITH ENGINE SUDDENLY

Mileage: 60,000