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.
BMW 530I won't start problems
11 of the 568 owner complaints about the BMW 530I describe won't start, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 11
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical mileage
- 135,500
Is there a fix? There are 6 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20072
- 20063
- 20042
- 20031
- 20022
- 19941
Often reported together
What owners say
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
Last year I could hear a sound of water through my sunroof and would have water thrown at me through my AC. My stereo and dash stopped working and suddenly started working after a couple of months. I took it to 2 different locations and they would tell me there was no short in a fuse. Yesterday my car would not start it was stationed in front of my home. I went to a mechanic and found that my battery was sitting in water. The car will not start even after water was drained and the battery was replaced. I called bmw but they want to charge me $385 just for a diagnostic. I have changed my battery like 4 time in the last 2 years which is just a headache in itself. My vehicle wont start.
This seems to happen when the weather is hot and in major traffic or when I am out on the open hwy driving for about 1 to 2hrs on a hot day. The car will automatically cut off without warning. No alarm or idiot light indicator. The problem is you can be driving 60 to 75 miles per hour on the interstate and loose control of your power steering and ability to maneuver the car to a safe stopping point. It will not start back up until 15 to 20 minute later as if the car needs to cool down. Once time period has elapse the car will run as normal. This has happen several times. Driving home from work in traffic and we only going 45 MPH but its hot outside and the car will cut off without warning. I notice on the bmw forum this is problem that is across the board with other vehicles. The car will cut off at a light after driving for long period of time in hot weather in the city limits but also on the hwy after long period of driving.
My steering wheel is locked and so the car will not start.
Steering wheel is lock and car will not start. Yellow lock and steering displayed.
Battery cable/terminal melted. Car would not start on several occasions. After sitting ...then car would start. Random start. Also, radio would come on all by itself. Call has just over 100k miles (101,200). Also codes received for cam shaft and air pump which had to be replaced.
Elv fault and now car won't start. There are many reports of this happening on this make and year of call.. This should be a recal!!
2004 bmw 530i with only 54,000 miles (6 yrs of ownership) - on sunday morning, my engine won't start on 1/31/2010 all of sudden. - called aaa for battery check and jump start but it was not a battery issue per aaa. - towed my car to my bmw dealer for check up - bmw dealer checked and told me my engine is dead and need to replace it with a new engine. It would cost $13,000 (this is ridiculous.) - I told them it must be engine defect and check this for me and tell bmw hq - my dealer checked my maintenance record with them and they are trying help and find out what was the issue with the engine. They don't understand either. - dealer is still trying to find out why my engine died with a good maintenance record and only 54,000 miles (no flood involved) - dealer is trying to report to bmw hq with their finding if bmw hq is willing to help. No update from bmw dealer yet. Not sure if bmw hq is willing to help. - please kindly investigate this bmw engine failure defect issue because you don't expect to buy a car that can last only 54,000 miles (6 yrs). This is crazy! - my friend has 3 series bmw and he told me his engine stops multiple times almost everyday. Bmw engine has a major issue.
Started the vehicle normally after it had been in a cold outdoor garage for 3 days. Car ran a bit rough. A half mile down the road it began billowing white smoke out the exhaust then stalled and would not start. Towed to repair shop - not the bmw dealer - who diagnosed that the engine had seized and would need to be replaced - a $6000 repair (or more). He diagnosed the cause was a known defect described in this bmw service bulletin: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=210092&d=1259409341. This version of the bulletin differs from the prior one which include "complete engine failure" as a possible consequence. Based on web searches, this failure has happened many times. It is clear bmw knew that the oil separator in this vehicle had a serious defect that could result in substantial damage to the vehicle and they have a modification kit fix it, but no attempt was made to notify owners of this defect or the need to install the kit. Bmw states that had the vehicle been brought to their dealer they might have been able to "help" with this repair, and that the ntsb would have to act before they would take the action to notify owners.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417. Note: This recall is an expansion to recall 17V‑683.
Recall number 19V273000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 540d xDrive vehicles. The crankshaft sensor may be equipped with incorrect firmware, preventing the sensor from properly processing input from the crankshaft reluctor ring, possibly resulting in a vehicle stall. On September 12, 2018, BMW expanded the recall to a total of 5,309 vehicles including certain 2018-2019 BMW 540d xDrive, 230i M240i, M240i xDrive, X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 330i, 330i xDrive, 340i, 340i xDrive, 330i xDrive Gran Turismo, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 530e, 530e xDrive, 640i xDrive Gran Turismo, 330e, 2019 430i Gran Coupe, 430i xDrive Gran Coupe, 440i Gran Coupe, 440i xDrive Gran Coupe, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, 740i, 740i xDrive, MINI Cooper, Cooper S, JCW, MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), and MINI Clubman (Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, JCW All4) vehicles.
- Risk
- A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor, free of charge. The recall began September 6, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 18V465000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 17V683000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
- Risk
- If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result. In addition, it is possible for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause a fire in the fan control unit located in the front of the engine compartment.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification began september 28, 2001. This is a supplement to a recall that began during september 2001 (see recall campaign 01v206). 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 02V138000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
- Risk
- If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result. In addition, it is possible for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause a fire in the fan control unit located in the front of the engine compartment.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification began september 28, 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 01V206000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A malfunction or failure of a coolant system component, such as a thermostat, water pump, or fan belt, can result in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. If the indications of a critical overheating condition is not noticed by the driver, it is possible that damage to, or failure of, a coolant system component could occur.
- Risk
- If a crack were to form or a seam were to separate in the heater core end piece, hot coolant could suddenly be expelled, increasing the risk of personal injury to a vehicle occupant.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new design radiator cap to control pressure and provide greater coolant overflow in the event of overheating.
Recall number 98V178000 · Recall details
Questions about the BMW 530I won't start
Which BMW 530I years have won't start problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (3 complaints), 2002 (2 complaints) and 2004 (2 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used BMW 530I?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history