Power brake servo failure due to water accumulation. Driving the car and attempted to stop when there was suddenly no power brakes. Dealer indicated that it was caused by a bad vacuum line. When replacing the vacuum hose, I found the brakes booster (servo) submerged in 6 inches of water. After draining the water and disconnecting the vacuum hose a large amount of water drained from inside the power booster/servo. Car ran fine after repair. 1 week later, on 1/16/12 during sub-freezing temps, there ws no brake pedal function at all. Extensive web search found several threads devoted to the problem. Here is one of those links: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=418457 two potential causes: 1 - the brake booster/servo is in a well. This well does have a small drainage hole that can clog due to leaves or other debris. This well is under a cabin air filter box. The air filter is a normal maintenance item, complete removal of the box and maintenance under the box is not part of standard maintenance. In climates where leaves fall, they can collect under this box and block drainage. Should the well fill with water the unit will become submerged and ultimately take on water. Water seeping into the booster/servo can cause failure of the unit causing brake function to be drastically reduced. If all the water is not drained, in below freezing conditions the water in the booster/servo will freeze, effectively freezing the brake pedal, making braking impossible! This water can also get sucked into the vacuum line and be sucked into the intake manifold and then into the engine potentially causing massive engine failure. 2 - failure of the ccv valve, caused by condensate, can also cause water to ultimately back-up into the vacuum system and into the brake booster/servo, causing the same effects mentioned above. Booster replacement needed.
The worst 2001 BMW 525 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Acceleration1
- Airbags1
- Body1
- Brakes1
- Engine1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Acceleration1
- Airbags1
- Body1
- Brakes1
- Engine1
Recalls 1
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 17V047000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2001 BMW 525 6
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- Engine will crank but not start
- Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle
- Program dme
- Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty. rm
- Bmw vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. where it is necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel...
What 2001 BMW 525 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 bmw 525. While driving, the contact heard a noise. The vehicle then suddenly lost control ,veered to the right, and crashed into a channelizer barrel at highway speeds. Although, he struck the barrel head on the air bag failed to deploy. The current and failure mileages were 50,000.
Engine compartment started smoking. Consumer pulled into a parking lot and shut vehicle off. Service manager had vehicle towed to dealership. Electrical componets in fan were burned out. Consumer stated this problem started after recall was performed. Dealer advised consumer to attached recall information.*ak
Compare the 2001 BMW 525
Other model years
Questions about the 2001 BMW 525
Is the 2001 BMW 525 reliable?
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2001 BMW 525, close to a typical 525 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 BMW 525?
Acceleration and speed control, with 1 complaint. Next is airbags (1).
How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 525 have?
1 recall, covering air bags.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2001 BMW 525?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history