VehicleFactbook

Model year

2001 BMW X5

NHTSA lists 12 recalls and 160 complaints for the 2001 BMW X5 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 1 recall and 0 complaints under X5 SAV. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. 2 recalls marked do not drive. The components listed on the most complaints are LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH (16), AIR BAGS (15), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (15). NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 14–16 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $5,150–$5,850, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.

ABOUT THIS DATA

Recalls

25V748000 · Oct 31, 2025

Do not drive

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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…

17V047000 · Jan 20, 2017

Do not drive

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.…

03V001000 · Jan 9, 2003

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

02V194000 · Jul 24, 2002

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

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

02V138000 · May 16, 2002

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.

01V206000 · Jun 21, 2001

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…

01V197000 · Jun 14, 2001

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

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…

01V196000 · Jun 14, 2001

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

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…

01V173000 · May 24, 2001

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

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.

01V030000 · Feb 6, 2001

STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

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…

2 more recalls are in the NHTSA file for this name and are not listed here. Campaign numbers above link to NHTSA.

Complaints

160 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 4, fire flag on 16, injury field 11, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.

  1. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH16
  2. AIR BAGS15
  3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15
  4. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING13
  5. VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS12
  6. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION9
  7. ENGINE7
  8. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN7
  9. STEERING5
  10. STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR5

Other NHTSA names

These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.

Other matched NHTSA names
Name Recalls Complaints
X5 SAV 1 0

Investigations

No investigations are matched to this name.

Safety ratings

NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.

Fuel economy

EPA configurations. Electric rows show MPGe in the combined column and kWh/100 mi separately. Annual fuel cost is EPA's published fuelCost08 figure.
ConfigurationFuelCityHwyCombkWh/100 miRangeAnnual fuel cost
X5 · 3L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremium Gasoline141916——$5,150
X5 · 3L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremium Gasoline141916——$5,150
X5 · 4.4L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremium Gasoline121614——$5,850

Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.

Check a vehicle

This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2001 BMW X5 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.

All BMW X5 model years

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