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2002 BMW 530I problems

The most common problem on the 2002 BMW 530I is airbags. Its complaint count is close to a typical 530I model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
68/100
Owner complaints
29
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
14
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
19-22mpg

The worst 2002 BMW 530I problems

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

  • Airbags
    8
  • Acceleration
    4
  • Engine
    3
  • Seats
    3
  • Transmission
    3

Problems by type

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

  • Airbags
    8
  • Acceleration
    4
  • Engine
    3
  • Seats
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Steering
    2
  • Suspension
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Locks
    1
  • Tires
    1

Trouble codes owners of the 2002 BMW 530I mention

P0741 3

Recalls 4

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported January 14, 2019 · 157,549 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 19V015000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported May 28, 2015 · 419,235 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
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 replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V‑348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.

Recall number 15V318000 · Recall details

SuspensionReported February 19, 2002 · 4,672 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles, during the strut mount manufacturing process, the thrust bearing was not properly positions and secured. If the suspension is fully unloaded, the front strut could separate from the upper mount.
Risk
This could affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace both front spring strut upper mounts. Owner notification began march 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1‑800‑831‑1117.

Recall number 02V057000 · Recall details

Tires: sidewallReported November 26, 2001 · 1,318 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: during the tire mounting process on certain passenger vehicles built with standard (non-sport) suspension and equipped with continental contitouringcontact ch95 ecoplus tires, size 225/65r16 95h, having dot codes 4001, 4101, or 4201, the outer sidewall surface of the tires may have been cut by a sharp edge. Operation of the vehicle over a long period of time could lead to a reduction of inflation pressure.
Risk
Continued driving with low inflation pressure in the tire could ultimately result in damage to the tire, affect vehicle handling and control, and could in some cases result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect all five tires for a possible cut in the sidewall, and if a cut is found, the tire will be replaced. Owner notification began december 10, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1‑800‑831‑1117.

Recall number 01V352000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2002 BMW 530I

Technical service bulletins for the 2002 BMW 530I 14

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

See all 14 bulletins for the 2002 BMW 530I

2002 BMW 530I fuel economy

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

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.0L 6‑cylRWD16-1824-2719-22

What 2002 BMW 530I owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 8, 2025 · Tires · FL

We purchased two identical new Pirelli P Zero P245/35/ZR20 91Y tires and had them professionally installed. The mechanic noticed that after installation one of the tires pulled hard to one side. The vehicle was aligned but the issue persisted, so they moved the tire to the other vehicle side. Now the vehicle pulled to that side, at which point we were told the problem was the tire, either a belt separation or other internal tire manufacturing defect. They suggested we contact the manufacturer and get a warranty replacement tire. We have been trying for weeks to get a replacement tire sent out from Pirelli, but they have been unwilling to work with us.

Filed Jan 4, 2020 · Steering · CA

Not sure what I'm supposed to write. I seen that there is a recall on something to do with the steering. And that consequences for failure of that part can be less of control that dont sound safe at all.

Filed Sep 27, 2019 · Electrical · 89,000 miles · NY · fire

Came out in morning after parking car in driveway and it wouldn't start. Smelled funny. Had it towed. Mechanic found my lcm had caught fire. All wiring and harness melted.

Filed Feb 27, 2019 · Driver assistance, Steering · 146,000 miles · CA

I have coolant leaks and power steering leaks and oil leaks , my alignment in batires are inward causing my tires to worn out quick, electric problem sometimes car won't start randomly making me to jump start it, my suspension is bad not sure why but causing my tire traction light go on makes it very hard to stay in control of car when driving on freeway

Filed Jan 13, 2018 · Airbags · PA

Takata airbag recall

Filed Dec 28, 2017 · Airbags · NJ

I got I recall for repair of airgag, but I dont feel safe at all on this car, spoke to north america bmw to chang the car and replace it they refuse even they put my life on danger with a defect car since I bought it.

Filed Nov 7, 2017 · Airbags · MI

I have called (877.432.7841) every time I received a notice of our airbag recall. They can never get in contact with a dealer in my area to get this fixed. I have called and been put on hold 3 times for an extended time and am told to 'call back later'. If this is an urgent recall and the airbag is defective I would like this remedied asap as this is a family vehicle my wife and kids ride in

Filed Jun 5, 2017 · Airbags · 48,300 miles · VA

Takata recall. Receive recall notification in july 2015. Received resolution notification in september 2016. Bmw dealer has refused to inspect or replace driver side airbag despite having copies of the recall notices. Shop manager at alexandria bmw told me he would call me back after checking with his "distributer. That was in october 2016. Still has not heard from him.

Filed Dec 6, 2016 · Airbags · 49,000 miles · VA

"takata recall" recall received from bmw july 2015. Final remedy notice received sept 2016. Local dealer (alexandria bmw) refused to replace driver-side front air bag module. Bmw of north america notified on october 6, 2016, but has not responded. The VIN number does not appear on your web page, but the manufacture sent the notices to us with this VIN number. Notice on the recalls page, this is a 5-series vehicle equipped with the optional sports steering wheel.so it is covered by the federal safety agency campaign number 15v318000.

Filed Dec 6, 2016 · Airbags · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw 530i. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) in july of 2015. The dealer stated that the part was not available for repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

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Questions about the 2002 BMW 530I

Is the 2002 BMW 530I reliable?

Owners have filed 29 complaints about the 2002 BMW 530I, close to a typical 530I model year.

What is the 2002 BMW 530I year score?

The 2002 BMW 530I scores 68 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 530I: 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 2002 BMW 530I?

Airbags, with 8 complaints. Next is acceleration (4).

How many recalls does the 2002 BMW 530I have?

4 recalls, covering air bags, suspension and tires.

Was there a recall on the 2002 BMW 530I airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 19V015000, 15V318000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the BMW 530I have bad airbags?

The BMW 530I model years with the most airbags complaints are 2004 (49 complaints), 2005 (37 complaints) and 2006 (32 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2002 BMW 530I get?

Official estimates for the 2002 BMW 530I range from 19 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 16-18 city and 24-27 highway.

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