2001 BMW 530iA Problems

VIN Decoder

Premium Report

Complaints Reported

Radar Detector GPS Tracker OBD2 Scanner Car Refrigerator Jump Starter Dash Cam

As an Amazon Associate, ForCar.org earns from qualifying purchases.

Complaints by Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

3 complaints

NO NOTIFICATION FROM MANUFACTURER. FROM READING THE AUTOMOTIVE PRESS I SUSPECTED THAT THERE MAY BE A FAN PROBLEM. UPON TAKING MY WIFE'S BMW TO THE NEILLO BMW IN SACRAMENTO I ASKED THEM TO CHECK. THE CAR WAS DEEMED INOPERABLE, THE FAN WOULD NOT RUN, BUT WAS DRAWING CURRENT CONSTENTLY. THERE SHOULD BE A MANDITORY GOVERNMENT RECALL DECLARED ON THIS VEHICLE. BUT FOR MY INTEREST IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY THIS CONDITION WOULD LIKELY HAVE CAUSED SEVERE INJURY TO PROPERTY AND POSSIBLY INJURY TO MY FAMILY.*AK

Aug 18, 2001

CONSUMER CLAIMS THAT AFTER ENGINE FAN WAS REPLACED ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK AUXILIARY COOLING FAN CAUGHT FIRE TWO WEEKS AFTER IT WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE NEW FAN HAS THE SAME PART AS THE FAN THAT CAUGHT FIRE. *SLC

Jul 20, 2001

Fire: 1

AUXILLIARY COOLING FAN MOTOR CAUGHT FIRE AFTER VEHICLE ENGINE TURNED OFF.

Jul 10, 2001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaints

I PARKED MY CAR AND FOUND THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE, MELTING THE CARPET AND PLASTIC INTERIOR, GLOVEBOX AND MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND WIRING HARNESS. THE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED AND THERE WAS BLACK SOOT COVERING THE INTERIOR. I FOUND THAT THERE WAS WATER ACCUMULATED BENEATH THE PASSENGER FOOTWELL, WHERE THERE IS A MAJOR ELECTRICAL FUSE PANEL. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN FRONT OF MY HOME AND I'VE HAD TO FIND A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE WIRING HARNESS AND MODULES. ALSO THE SMOKE DAMAGE WOULD PREVENT ME FROM WANTING TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT HAD BEEN RAINING REGULARLY FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTHS DURING WINTER AND I BELIEVE IT'S POSSIBLE THAT WATER WAS BEING DIVERTED TO THIS AREA WHERE THE MAIN ELECTRICAL FUSES WERE LOCATED. THERE DO NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY PROVISIONS TO KEEP WATER FROM ACCUMULATING OR TO PROTECT THE FUSES FROM WATER INTRUSION. THE ANGLE AT WHICH THE CAR WAS PARKED WAS WITH THE FRONT POINTED UP AT AN INCLINE OF APPROXIMATELY 15 DEGREES. THIS OCCURRED ON A CITY STREET. THE CAR IS IRREPARABLE AND MUST BE DISPOSED OF.

May 13, 2017

Fire: 1

CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE. *AK

Oct 11, 2001

Fire: 1

AIR BAGS

2 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 530IA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,000.

Dec 12, 2016

ON OCTOBER 31, 2003 AT 9:30PM, AIRBAGS(FRONT, HEAD - DRIVER SIDE/FRONT, SIDE, HEAD - PASSENGER SIDE) DEPLOYED AS DRIVER WAS STARTING THE ENGINE OF A PARKED CAR. THE IMPACT SHATTERED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND DRIVER RECEIVED A CONCUSSION. DRIVER IS CURRENTLY SUFFERING FROM HEADACHES, RINGING IN THE EAR, SLEEP-DISORDER, SORE/STIFFNESS. *AK

Nov 19, 2003

Injuries: 1

POWER TRAIN

2 complaints

2001 BMW 530IA REVERSE?!?! THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED AND ALWAYS SERVICED AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ON BOARD COMPUTER AND OWNERS MANUAL. REVERSE FOR NO REASON STOPPED WORKING AT THE WORST POSSIBLE TIME!!! IT HAS ENOUGH POWER TO ROLL VERY SLOWLY IF YOU REV THE MOTOR OUT OF A FLAT PARKING SPOT BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY POWER TO BACK UP ANY INCLINE AT ALL. I HAVE NEVER ABUSED THE CAR OR HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT HAS A SEALED TRANSMISSION AND YOU CAN'T CHECK OR ADD FLUID. I GOT STUCK AGAINST A CURB WHILE TRYING TO PERFORM A U-TURN BLOCKING ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND HAD TO GET A TOW TRUCK TO REMOVE MY CAR A FEW FEET BACK. I THOUGHT THAT I DID SOMETHING WRONG BUT AFTER RESEARCHING I SEE THAT TONS OF PEOPLE HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS SAME DEFECT!! WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED? IT'S A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR COSTING THOUSANDS FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. I WORKED AT A BMW DEALERSHIP IN SALES AND THE SERVICE PROVIDER I SPOKE TO SAID IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR

Nov 06, 2011

CAR FAILED TO OPERATE IN REVERSE WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED IN REVERSE. *TR

Aug 22, 2009

ENGINE

1 complaint

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT WALMART. LESS THEN 5 MINUTES AFTER WALKING INTO THE STORE THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE.

Nov 11, 2018

Fire: 1

SEATS

1 complaint

ON DECEMBER 19, 2004 I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 BMW 530I WITH THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER IN THE ON POSITION. I PARKED THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, AND WAS EXITING ON THE DRIVER SIDE, WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE BACK SUPPORT PORTION OF THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HAD CAUGHT ON E AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER INTERIOR. IT ALSO SINGED MY WINTER COAT THAT I WAS WEARING AT THE TIME. I PUT OUT THE FIRE AND REALIZED THAT THE SEAT HEATER ELEMENT HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE FIRE. TO DATE, I'VE BEEN WORKING TO HAVE THE SEAT REPLACED THROUGH BMW AND ITS DEALERSHIP HERB CHAMBERS BMW OF BOSTON, BUT THEY HAVE DELAYED THE REPLACEMENT, EVENTHOUGH THEY HAVE AGREED TO REPLACE THE SAME. NO REASON WAS PROVIDED FOR THE DELAYS.*AK

Aug 17, 2005

Fire: 1

4.4/5.0

71 reviews

Where to Find VIN for Problems Check

To check for problems and complaints on your 2001 BMW 530iA, you'll need the VIN number. Find your VIN in one of these 4 common locations.

Where to Find VIN Number on 2001 BMW 530iA for Problems Lookup - Dashboard, Door Jamb, Engine Bay, Documents

Understanding VIN Structure for Problem Reports

Each character in your 2001 BMW 530iA 17-digit VIN helps identify specific complaints and problems affecting your vehicle model.

2001 BMW 530iA VIN Structure for Complaint Verification - WMI, VDS, Check Digit, Model Year, Plant Code

How to Check 2001 BMW 530iA Problems in 3 Steps

Locate Your VIN

Find the 17-character VIN on your 2001 BMW 530iA dashboard (visible through windshield), door jamb, engine bay, or vehicle documents.

Review by Component

Browse owner-reported complaints organized by vehicle component (engine, transmission, brakes, electrical) to identify common issues and problem patterns for this model year.

Check Safety Issues

Review crash and fire incidents for each component to assess safety concerns. Contact your BMW dealer or report problems to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2001 BMW 530iA have?

The 2001 BMW 530iA currently has 11 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2001 BMW 530iA?

The most common problems reported for the 2001 BMW 530iA are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2001 BMW 530iA problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2001 BMW 530iA comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

How do I report problems with my 2001 BMW 530iA?

You can report safety problems with your 2001 BMW 530iA directly to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov or call 1-888-327-4236. Your complaint helps identify patterns and may lead to recalls or investigations.

Where can I find my VIN to check problems?

Your 2001 BMW 530iA VIN is located in 4 places: (1) Dashboard near windshield on driver's side, (2) Driver's door jamb sticker, (3) Engine bay, (4) Vehicle registration and insurance documents.

Is the 2001 BMW 530iA reliable?

Reliability can be assessed by reviewing the number and severity of owner complaints for the 2001 BMW 530iA. Check complaints by component, crash reports, and fire incidents above to evaluate potential issues and problem patterns.