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.
The worst 2001 BMW 530IA problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine4
- Airbags2
- Electrical2
- Transmission2
- Seats1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 BMW 530IA
Recalls 3
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, a microprocessor in the air bag control module, which activates the front air bags, the side air bags, the front seat safety belt pretensioners, and the battery safety terminal, may have a malfunction that could lead to an unintended activation of one or more of these components.
- Risk
- Unexpected deployment of the air bag(s) could cause serious injury if an occupant is too close to the deploying air bag(s). In addition, the battery safety terminal may also be activated. If that happens, the starter cable would become disconnected from the battery, and the engine could not be restarted.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the air bag control module. Owner notification began november10, 2003. Owners should contact bmw at 1‑800‑831‑1117.
Recall number 03V421000 · 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
Technical service bulletins for the 2001 BMW 530IA 12
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
- Takata air bag recall-related short-term alternate transportation and consequential repairs
- Takata class action settlement
- Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide
- For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?)...
- In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has...
- Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty
- Bmw: a new technical process has been created for bmw to identify causes of steering complaints with a...
What 2001 BMW 530IA owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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.
Car failed to operate in reverse when automatic transmission was placed in reverse.
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.
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.
Car caught fire while parked in garage.
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.
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.
Compare the 2001 BMW 530IA
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Questions about the 2001 BMW 530IA
Is the 2001 BMW 530IA reliable?
Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2001 BMW 530IA, close to a typical 530IA model year.
What is the 2001 BMW 530IA year score?
The 2001 BMW 530IA scores 70 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 530IA: 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 530IA?
Engine and cooling, with 4 complaints. Next is airbags (2).
How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 530IA have?
3 recalls, covering air bags and engine and engine cooling.
Was there a recall on the 2001 BMW 530IA engine?
Yes, 2 recalls: 02V138000, 01V206000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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