2001 Bmw X5
The Verdict
The 2001 Bmw X5 has 176 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (68 complaints) and engine (44 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 59/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Bmw X5, consider the 2000 model year which has 83% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2000 has 83% fewer complaints
View the 2000 Bmw X5 dashboard →
Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution
About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 7
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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.
Risk
IN SUCH A CASE, THE BOLTS COULD ULTIMATELY LOOSEN CAUSING THE PULLEY TO THROW OFF THE DRIVE BELT. THIS WOULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CERTAIN ENGINE AUXILIARY FUNCTIONS, I.E., POWER STEERING ASSIST, ...
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY TO SEE IF IT IS LOOSE. IF THE PULLEY IS NOT LOOSE ON THE PUMP, THE RETAINING BOLTS WILL BE TORQUED TO SPECIFICATION. IF THE PULLEY IS LOOSE, TH...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE NUT THAT SECURES THE AXIAL JOINT OF THE LEFT STEERING TIE ROD TO THE STEERING GEAR BOX MAY HAVE NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED SECURELY. THIS COULD LEAD...
Risk
IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD RESULT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RE-TORQUE THE NUT SECURING THE AXIAL JOINT OF THE LEFT STEERING TIE ROD. IF THE TORQUE OF THE NUT IS FOUND TO BE LOOSE, THE RIGHT NUT WILL ALSO BE CHECKED AND CORRECTED IF...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 TH...
Risk
IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT...
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A RECALL THAT BEGAN DURING SEPTEMBER 2001 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V206). OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR V...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 STUD...
Risk
IF THIS OCCURRED, THE EFFECTIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL COULD BE REDUCED DUE TO RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE PEDAL AND BOOSTER. BRAKING PERFORMANCE WHILE DRIVING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN ADDIT...
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TWO LOCK NUTS TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE PROPERLY SEATED. IF THE NUTS ARE NOT PROPERLY SEATED OR ARE CROSS-THREADED, THE BRAKE BOOSTER WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 C...
Risk
IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT...
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REM...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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...
Risk
THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPINDLE TO ENSURE PROPER INSERTION IN THE COUPLING, AND, IF NECESSARY, THE SPINDLE WILL BE FULLY INSERTED AND THE FASTENING BOLT REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUAR...
Reported Jun 2, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE SAFETY BELT LOWER OUTBOARD ANCHORAGE BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER'S SEATS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SECURED PROPERLY.
Risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ITS MAXIMUM RESTRAINT FUNCTION.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BOLTS AND CORRECT THE TORQUE IF NECESSARY.
Reported Nov 9, 2000
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| 2001 | 68 | 10 | 39 | 44 | 15 |
| 2002 | 32 | 6 | 34 | 35 | 8 |
| 2003 | 24 | 2 | 32 | 41 | 14 |
| 2004 | 39 | 5 | 54 | 14 | 15 |
| 2005 | 19 | 16 | 38 | 21 | 9 |
| 2006 | 38 | 38 | 166 | 24 | 13 |
| 2007 | 16 | 25 | 47 | 48 | 7 |
| 2008 | 16 | 17 | 87 | 195 | 18 |
| 2009 | 14 | 14 | 45 | 83 | 5 |
| 2010 | 15 | 1 | 40 | 87 | 4 |
| 2011 | 26 | 4 | 72 | 161 | 44 |
| 2016 | 25 | 2 | 10 | 27 | 6 |
| 2017 | 20 | 7 | 8 | 32 | 6 |
| 2018 | 19 | 3 | 9 | 30 | 5 |
| 2019 | 40 | 8 | 59 | 61 | 9 |
| 2020 | 18 | 3 | 26 | 40 | 11 |
| 2021 | 25 | 4 | 21 | 30 | 15 |
| 2022 | 21 | 5 | 6 | 14 | 10 |
| 2023 | 13 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 6 |
| 2024 | 17 | 80 | 13 | 16 | 8 |
| 2025 | 15 | 26 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Compare Against
See how the 2001 Bmw X5 stacks up against rivals.
Complaints
2023 September BMW issued me a "Stop Drive" letter in the mail. I parked the vehicle and haven't drove it since. Since then ive called the number in letter and visited website. At one time the individual handling and scheduling my "repair" had asked me if I could drive the car to nearest dealership to get repaired? I said absolutely not; i have recieved a letter stating to stop driving? Im not gonna drive it? When I asked about them coming to fix it and getting a loaner as the letter offered? They said when the vehicle makes it to the dealership for repair it will be up to the dealership doing repairs if im to get a loaner? I asked what am I to do until it gets fixed being that I cant drive? No logical answer given? I've attempted several more times to contact BMW per phone numbers given in mailers stating "stop drive"? Im completely at a loss as of today the vehicle has been sitting so long its now damaged, weathered, and so forth? I just recieved another letter in mail last week same thing about repair do not drive and so forth. I cant believe nothing has been done thus far? I see all the deadlines for repair have past and my address has. Never changed or phone number they are still the same as day they sent first "stop drive" letter was sent and that was actually way before September 2023 I dont know exactly when but September is when I first called about getting repair done and still remain unaddressed today?
My vehicle is DO NOT DRIVE condition. I have not been able to schedule air bag recall repair because the dealerships in my area will not tow to and from my home, and say no mobile service is available. WHAT ARE MY OPINIONS? PLEASE REPLY .....I currently can't drive my car because I have a unexploded claymore in my face!
I bought this vehicle and turns out the license plate reads as a Tahoe and now the electricial system u plugged speedometer don't work and everything is going out I need help I'm low on money but need help or resources email me [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
GOT AIRBAG NOTICE IN MAIL 2019 TOOK MY CAR TO WORLD WIDE BMW NANUET NY DEALER MARCH 23 2019 TOLD ME MY AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS NOT ON THE LIST OF BEING REPLACED MINED YOU MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON WELL BEFORE TAKING IT TO BMW DEALER AND TODAY IS STILL ON I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE AND WHAT CAN I DO TO HAVE IT CORRECTED THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME OVER 2,000 TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG MODULE
IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE IT WAS PARKED ENGINE WAS ALSO OFF!
TAKATA RECALL I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR NOTICED WHEN I STARTED IT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG AREA I IMMEDIATELY SHUT IT OFF BUT THERE WAS SMOKE STILL COMING AND GETTING THICKER I IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH 911 AND NOTICED FLAMES .FIRE TRUCK SHOWED UP PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT THE WHOLE FRONT AIR BAG AREA AND GLOVE BOX WAS PRETTY BAD
IN 2001 I HAD A RECALL FOR THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED THEN IN 2007 ELECTRIC COOLING FAN GOES OUT AGAIN, THEN IN 2011 THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN GOES OUT AGAIN, THEN IN 2018 THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN GOES OUT AGAIN OVERHEAT AND BLOWS THE HEAD GASKET WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM LAS VEGAS IN GILROY CALIFORNIA ???
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V173000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PLAZA BMW (11858 OLIVE BLVD, CREVE COEUR, MO) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED; HOWEVER, THE VIN HAD NO OPEN RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS UNDER THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
TAKATA RECALL. MY VEHICLES LOCK CYLINDER IS STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION. I HAD JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR RECENTLY AND WHEN I BOUGHT A NEW KEY THE LOCK CYLINDER PUT THE CAR INTO DEADLOCK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
WHEN DRIVING MY 2001 BMW X5 ON ICE, SOFT DIRT ROAD, SLUSH, (ICE WITH PAVEMENT) THE CAR FISHTAILS IN THE REAR. I HAD BRAND NEW WINTER TIRES PUT ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS JUST ALIGNED. I HAD 4 DIFFERENT MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIGURE IT OUT. PLEASE HELP.
THE TAIL LIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES AND THE SIGNAL ON BOTH SIZE IN THE REAR DO NOT WORK THE SIGNAL ON THE RIGHT SIDE ON THE FRONT DOES NOT WORK . I HAVE CHANGE ALL THE FUSES IN ALL THE LIGHTBULBS BUT CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE
2001 BMW X5 4.4I CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE PARKED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT.
PARKED X5 AT A ACE HARDWARE STORE, A PERSON CAME RUNNING IN SAYING A CAR WAS ON FIRE! IT WAS MY X5 IN GLEN ELLEN IL TOTAL LOSS ALLSTATE INSURANCE CLAIM #0158238170KR.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. ..UPDATED 06/21/17 *BF *CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE DRIVER COASTED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER AND THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC POTENTIALLY LOCATED A FAILURE WITH THE STEERING COLUMN SPINDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, A COYOTE JUMPED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO VOID A CRASH AND SWERVED CAUSING AN UNKNOWN REAR WHEEL TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN FLIPPED OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND CRASHED UPSIDE DOWN INTO THE SIDE OF A RESIDENTIAL HOME. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT WHO WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN THE IMPACT OCCURRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INTERNAL BRUISING THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
SEATS HAVE HEAT CONTROL L OPTION N. DRIVERS SIDE GETS TOO HOT AND BURNS DRIVER CREATING A BURN HOLE ON THE SEAT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW X5. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INFLATED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAGS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
176 total