2001 BMW X5 problems
Owners have filed 215 complaints about the 2001 BMW X5 with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 16.3% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 11.2%.
Complaints215
Crashes7
Fires19
Injuries17
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 16.3% · 35
Electrical system 11.2% · 24
Air bags 8.4% · 18
Latches/locks/linkages 8.4% · 18
Power train 7.0% · 15
Visibility 7.0% · 15
Structure 6.0% · 13
Steering 5.1% · 11
Severity
Of those complaints, 7 describe a crash, 19 describe a fire and 17 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 22 model years of the BMW X5 in this data, 2001 sits 7th by complaint volume. 2011 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 8 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 82,250 miles.
In owners' own words
While driving 10 mph, the vehicle stalled. The driver tried to restart but was unable to start. The driver noticed that the check engine light flashed on then off. The driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the engine needed replacing due to head gasket failure. Please provide further details. Engine and engine cooling
The contact owns a 2001 BMW X5. While driving between 55-60 mph, the vehicle began to overheat and smoke, and the engine failed. The vehicle had to be towed. The dealer stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id numbers 01v206000 and 02v138000 (engine and engine cooling: cooling system:fan). The current and failure mileages were 87,000. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 87,000 miles
BMW - vent valve the vehicle is obviously engineered wrong and the company should be liable. The dealership told me it would cost $1,000 to replace and cleanup a frozen vent valve due to condensation from moisture. The extreme weather where I live cause the condensation to freeze causing oil to backup and blow the engine. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 10,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…