2001 BMW 530i Sport
WBADS33471GD50164
Vehicle history report for the 2001 BMW 530i Sport (VIN WBADS33471GD50164). Grey, wagon, 2.5L 6-cyl 184 hp, gasoline. Title: Clean. 197,468 mi reported. Registered in Sc. 4 open safety recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN WBADS33471GD50164
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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…
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
NHTSA Campaign #19V015000 · 14/01/2019ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
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.
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.
NHTSA Campaign #01V206000 · 21/06/2001ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
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.
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 WITHI
NHTSA Campaign #02V138000 · 16/05/2002AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER10, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
NHTSA Campaign #03V421000 · 24/10/2003We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 BMW 530i, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 1 involved a crash 🚑 2 reported injuries
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
🔍 Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
🔍 Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 25
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2001 BMW 530i.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 5301. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the warning light that the engine was overheating was displayed on the instrument cluster. The contact stated that the failure had occurred at various speeds, and the vehicle stalled due to the engine overheating. The contact was constantly refilling the coolant …
NHTSA ODI #11658526FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MAJOR FUEL LEAK UNDER ENGINE OF CAR ON A COLD START (COLDER TEMPS ~40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR LESS). FUEL SMELL IMMEDIATELY ON START UP, WITH A STEADY STREAM FUEL DRIPPING UNDER THE CAR...FUEL LINES THE DRIVEWAY WHEN BACKING OUT. DRIPPING APPEARS TO STOP AFTER CAR WARMS UP, SO MULTIPLE FAILED ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE ISSUE. HOWEVER, NOW CAN SEE THAT ALL INJECTORS …
NHTSA ODI #11382807AIR BAGS
AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT RECENTLY ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING CAR. NOW COMES ON EACH TIME CAR IS DRIVEN.
NHTSA ODI #11157108UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK 2.3 MILES NO A/C ON PULLED IN DRIVEWAY CAR WAS WISSLING SMOKE WATER POUR OUT EVERYWHERE . TEMP GAGE DID NOT SHOW OVER HEATED. ALL COOLANT GONE BURST AND LEAKED OUT BUTTOM OF ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI #10983602ENGINE
REVERSE TRNSMISSION NOT WORKING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIENT.
NHTSA ODI #10966284FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTORS LEAK IN EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES. EXACT TEMPERATURE UNKNOWN BUT HAS BEEN -5F FOR THE PAST 3 DAYS AND THE CABIN FILLS WITH THE SMELL OF GAS WITHIN MOMENTS AND UPON OPENING THE HOOD YOU CAN SEE A MIST OF FUEL FROM THE INJECTOR. TRIED IT LAST NIGHT AT 8F AND NO NOTICEABLE LEAK, ALTHOUGH STILL FAINT SMELL. RESEARCHED ONLINE ONLY TO DISCOVER THIS…
NHTSA ODI #10940051SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL 2001 BMW 530I SEVERAL RELATED TO CAR ACCELERATES HAS BEEN REPORTED FOR THE 2001-2005 BMW 530I. CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN PROBLEM 1 FAILURE DATE: 12/15/2015 WE OWNS A 2001 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT OF A BANK OF AMERICA IN MIAMI , FLORIDA PARKING SPACE AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED CRASHING INTO BANKS…
Crash · 1 injured · NHTSA ODI #10862178SEATS
I'M WRITING YOU THIS EMAIL AFTER WHAT HAPPENED ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK LAST NIGHT. I GOT INTO MY CAR AFTER A DAY OF MEETINGS AND TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES I REALIZE THAT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT CUSHION WAS GETTING VERY, VERY HOT. I THEN NOTICED THE SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEA…
NHTSA ODI #10437808+ 17 more complaints on record.
