2001 BMW M5 Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2001 BMW M5.

20002002
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Fatalities
—
Recalls
1

Worst 2001 BMW M5 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#12 complaints

Airbags

#21 complaints

Air Bags:Side/Window

#31 complaints

Tire Defects

Considering a 2001 BMW M5?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2001 BMW M5.

Airbags
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2001 BMW M5. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2001 BMW M5

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~230,117 vehicles.

17V047000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~230,117 affected

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.

Other BMW M5 Years

200020012002200320062007200820102013201420152016201820192020202120222025

2001 BMW M5 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2001 BMW M5 reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2001 BMW M5 has 4 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Airbags with 2 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2001 BMW M5?
Top reported problems: Airbags (2 complaints); Air Bags:Side/Window (1 complaints); Tire Defects (1 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
Does the 2001 BMW M5 have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 230,117 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2001 BMW M5?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full BMW M5 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2001 BMW M5

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99