Check a VIN

2001 BMW 5 Series problems

The most common problem on the 2001 BMW 5 Series is body and structure. It has fewer complaints than a typical 5 Series model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
93/100
Owner complaints
3
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
39
Worst area
Body
Fuel economy
16-20mpg

The worst 2001 BMW 5 Series problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Body
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Body
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 BMW 5 Series 39

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 39 bulletins for the 2001 BMW 5 Series

2001 BMW 5 Series fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.5L 6‑cylRWD172419-20
4.4L 8‑cylRWD141916

What 2001 BMW 5 Series owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 15, 2011 · Lights, Visibility · 140,000 miles · GA

The headlight's have manual adjusters on each side, both of my headlights point towards the ground because they are broken, I tried to adjust the beam and both sides just click. This is a major safety hazard because at night it limits your vision ahead to about 10 to 20 feet. I own other vehicle's that are older than this vehicle and the headlights have never been a problem. I am a member of a forum for this particular model car and more than half, if not every member has encountered this problem. The solution from my dealer was to replace both headlights for a total of $1000.00 plus. I don't think a headlight should have to be replaced on a vehicle and this is a well known and documented problem. The safety of my family is at risk because of the poor design of these headlights. The adjuster's just click and the headlights always point towards the ground, im pretty sure it was made this was to increase visibility of the road and hazards ahead but if the mechanism is broken then the safety has been compromised. While driving at night my vision ahead is very limited, it presents a very serious safety hazard because you should have a better view of the road ahead of you as other car's have. This should be addressed and it should have been a recall by bmwna for all USA owners of this type of headlight.

Filed Dec 3, 2009 · Electrical · 36,000 miles · VA

Failure of the information cluster, missing pixels)....mileage and other information can not be read.

Filed Nov 25, 2009 · Body · 15,000 miles · MI

Bmw x5 with 15,000 miles had such extensive rust in the front end parts that the repair cost over $2,000.

Compare the 2001 BMW 5 Series

Other model years

1995199719992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012

Questions about the 2001 BMW 5 Series

Is the 2001 BMW 5 Series reliable?

Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2001 BMW 5 Series, fewer than a typical 5 Series model year.

What is the 2001 BMW 5 Series year score?

The 2001 BMW 5 Series scores 93 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 5 Series: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 BMW 5 Series?

Body and structure, with 1 complaint. Next is electrical (1).

How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 5 Series have?

No recalls on record.

What gas mileage does the 2001 BMW 5 Series get?

Official estimates for the 2001 BMW 5 Series range from 16 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 17 city and 24 highway.

Share your experience with the 2001 BMW 5 Series

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2001 BMW 5 Series?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN