FaultScore

FaultScore report

2002 BMW 530I problems

Owners have filed 32 complaints about the 2002 BMW 530I with NHTSA between 2003 and 2025. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 15 worst.

C

FaultScore 53/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the BMW 530I.

How this is worked out

The numbers

32

Complaints

4

Crashes reported

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

60,142 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

24%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 30 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 41 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 30
Against the median year of the BMW 530I. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
21.9% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 41
24% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2002 compares with every other BMW 530I

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2002 BMW 530I

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Airbags 8 25.0%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 48,300 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 4 12.5%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 31,100 mi

Seats 3 9.4%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 53,000 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 3 9.4%

Median failure at 85,000 miles

Engine & Cooling 3 9.4%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 60,142 mi

Suspension 2 6.3%

Median failure at 73,039 miles

Steering 2 6.3%

Median failure at 146,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 3.1%
Doors, Latches & Locks 1 3.1%
Stability & Traction Control 1 3.1%

Median failure at 146,000 miles

Tires 1 3.1%
Lights 1 3.1%
Body & Structure 1 3.1%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

Electrical System 1 3.1%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 89,000 mi

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 4.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 2 9.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 7 33.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 4.8%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 6 28.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 4 19.0%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

May 2003 peak 3 Apr 2025

Recalls on the 2002 BMW 530I

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

19V015000

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 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.

15V318000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

02V057000

SUSPENSION

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.

01V352000

TIRES:SIDEWALL

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.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 89,000 miles Greenwood Lake, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11258546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles River Grove, IL Fire

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE HEATED SEAT WARMER WAS ACTIVATED TO A LOW SETTING WHEN THE SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. THERE WAS SMOKE AND AN ABNORMAL ODOR PRESENT. AS A RESULT, A HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10670794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Port Clinton, OH Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 530I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A CLOUD OF SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART SO IT WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD OIL SEPARATOR FAILED, RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10384285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 93,000 miles Rancho Cucamonga, CA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR AND FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE CRASH. AFTER THE CRASH THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA complaint #10312728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,900 miles Lenexa, KS Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I OWN A 2002 BMW 530I. RECENTLY, THE CAR ACCELERATED TO FULL THROTTLE BY ITSELF. I REPORTED INCIDENT TO BMW. TO SUMMARIZE, THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND IT WAS PROBABLY THE FLOOR MAT THAT CAUSED THE ACCELERATION (THAT'S RIGHT, THE FLOOR MAT).

NHTSA complaint #10062391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,300 miles Ballston Lake, NY Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD AND COLLIDED INTO A WALL. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *TS

NHTSA complaint #10034219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

TIRES

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.

NHTSA complaint #11653375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dixon, CA

STEERING

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.

NHTSA complaint #11297129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles Greenwood Lake, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11258546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 146,000 miles Sacramento, CA

STEERING

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

NHTSA complaint #11182691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 146,000 miles Sacramento, CA

SUSPENSION

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

NHTSA complaint #11182691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 146,000 miles Sacramento, CA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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

NHTSA complaint #11182691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Timblin, PA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL

NHTSA complaint #11062561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Bergen, NJ

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11057078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Bergen, NJ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #11057078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Caledonia, MI

AIR BAGS

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

NHTSA complaint #11044103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,300 miles Alexandria, VA

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10993328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alexandria, VA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA 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.

NHTSA complaint #10930275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 49,000 miles Alexandria, VA

AIR BAGS

"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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 15V318000.

NHTSA complaint #10930284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles River Grove, IL Fire

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE HEATED SEAT WARMER WAS ACTIVATED TO A LOW SETTING WHEN THE SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. THERE WAS SMOKE AND AN ABNORMAL ODOR PRESENT. AS A RESULT, A HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10670794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kissimmee, FL

SEATS

THE FRONT SEAT GET TWISTED HERE IS A VIDEO: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=WM3HKVKGLXM.

NHTSA complaint #10441996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 78,600 miles Cupertino, CA

POWER TRAIN

AT 78,600 MILES THE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DIAGNOSIS WAS P0741 (BMW CODE 48) WHICH IS A FAULT WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH (TCC). THIS FAILURE UNTIL CORRECTED RESULTS IN LOWER FUEL MILEAGE, AND A GUARANTEED FAILURE TO PASS THE EMISSIONS TEST DURING STATE MANDATED VEHICLE INSPECTIONS. ADD TO THIS THAT CONTINUED USE OF THE VEHICLE WILL LIKELY RESULT IN TRANSMISSION DAMAGE SINCE THE TCC LOCKUP CLUTCH IS SLIPPING RESULTING IN DEBRIS BUILDING UP IN THE FLUID. THIS FAULT IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SEAL THAT BMW HAS A HIDDEN SERVICE BULLETIN ON. SEE SI 24 03 06 DATED FEBRUARY 2008. REPLACEMENT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS EXPENSIVE. BMW DEALER QUOTED A BIT MORE THAN $3000 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I'VE SINCE DETERMINED THROUGH A BMW FORUM THAT THIS ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF FAILURES TAKING PLACE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE SEAL IN QUESTION HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED AND THAT FAILURE OF THE SEAL WILL LIKELY TAKE PLACE AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. *TR

NHTSA complaint #10437612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Sarasota, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE FAN EXPLODED. THE PLASTIC BLADES PIERCED THE HOOD AND IN ADDITION TO THE FAN AND FAN CLUTCH BEING GONE, THE FAN SHROUD IS GONE, AND IT CUT THE POWER STEERING, OIL FILTER, AND UPPER RADIATOR HOSES.

NHTSA complaint #10427080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 106,823 miles Florida, FL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2002 BMW 530I ON AUGUST 24, 2011 AND ABOUT THREE WEEKS IN TO OWNING THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT SEEMS THE CODE READS P0741 I.E. TORQUE CONVERTER SOLENOID CIRCUIT STUCK OFF. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 107K ON IT HOWEVER, DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE ANY MISFIRE OR TRANSMISSION ISSUES WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BMW FOR AN INSPECTION/CHECKUP TO BE SURE THERE WERE NO MAJOR ISSUES AND THEY GAVE IT A THUMBS UP HOWEVER, THIS WAS BEFORE THE CODE/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ENGAGED ON THE DASHED BOARD OF THE VEHICLE. BASED ON THE SERVICE BULLETIN FOR BMW IT APPEARS THIS SHOULD BE COVERED SINCE IT'S A COMMON OCCURRENCE. I NEED TO FIND OUT HOW TO GET THIS PROBLEM RECTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10421409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Port Richey, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS EXPOSED TO RAINY CONDITIONS, WATER WOULD ENTER AND FLOOD THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DOORS. THE WATER WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DOOR PANELS DUE TO THE MATERIALS THAT THE PANELS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM, AS WELL AS IMPROPER SEALING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA complaint #10412294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Swansea, IL

SEATS

HEATED DRIVER SEAT WILL BURN LEG OR BACK. HEATER HAS BURNED HOLE THROUGH LEATHER. PLAZA MOTORS / ST. LOUIS MO INFORMED ME THAT BMW WILL NOT FIX. HEATER IS A FIRE HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA complaint #10386219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Port Clinton, OH Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 530I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A CLOUD OF SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART SO IT WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD OIL SEPARATOR FAILED, RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10384285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Angeles, CA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

I OWN A 2002 BMW 530I ,I HAVE REPLACED THE KEY 3 TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR AND NOW THE DEALER SAID ITS TIME TO GET A NEW ONE. TURNS OUT THAT THIS WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM WHICH HAS SLOWLY BEEN GETTING WORSE. THAT PROBLEM IS THE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM IS BROKEN. YOU HAVE TO OPEN DOORS MANUALLY WITH EITHER THE KEY IN THE DOOR OR REACH OVER AND UNLOCK IT BY HAND. THE DOME LIGHT IS NO LONGER WORKING AS IS THE TRUNK UNLOCK FEATURE WHICH YOU HAVE TO DO BY PHYSICALLY INSERTING THE KEY IN THE LOCK THE DEALERS SAY THE COST TO REPAIR THIS IS IN EXCESS OF 900US$ ,AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE FOR THIS COMPONENT WITH NO GUARANTEE .

NHTSA complaint #10376720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Orange, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I HAVE A 2002 BMW 530I WITH AUTO TRANSMISSION. TRANNY MODEL 5HP19. AT AROUND 85,000, SOMETIME IN MID-JULY 2006, I BEGAN TO HAVE AN INTERMITTENT (ON FOR MAYBE 300-500 MILES, THEN OFF FOR AROUND 7000 TO 10000 MILES) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE CEL CODE WAS ALWAYS DIAGNOSED AS P0741 - "TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH CIRCUIT PERFORMANCE OR STUCK OFF." SINCE 120,000 MILES, THE SAME CODE IS MUCH MORE FREQUENT, MAYBE 600-800 MILES BETWEEN TURNING ON-OFF. I HAVE CONTACTED MY BMW DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS SINCE THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED AT AROUND 85,000 MILES, AND A FEW TIMES AFTER SINCE. THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT AY MY COST, ALTHOUGH THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE AND THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS. AFTER TALKING TO OTHER BMW OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, AND GETTING A COPY OF THE SERVICE BULLETIN, IT WOULD SEEM THAT THIS IS A COMMONLY KNOWN AND RECURRING PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED. I BELIEVE THAT BMW SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR COST, EVEN IF THE VEHICLE IS OF HIGH MILEAGE (AS MINE HAS 160,000 MILES NOW.) THE SERVICE BULLETIN SAYS THE PROBLEM IS A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER SEAL. HERE IS PARTIAL TEXT OF THE BMW SERVICE BULLETIN: THIS SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN SUPERSEDES SI 24 03 06 DATED FEBRUARY 2008. DESIGNATES CHANGES TO THIS REVISION SUBJECT ZF 5HP19 TRANSMISSION - DIAGNOSIS OF EGS FC 048 (30 HEX) MODEL E46: 323I, 325I, 330I WITH M52TU, M54, M56 AND ZF 5HP19 E39: 525I, 530I WITH M54 AND ZF 5HP19 E85: Z4 ROADSTER 2.5, 3.0 WITH M54 AND ZF 5HP19 SITUATION "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" IS ILLUMINATED AND FAULT CODE 048 "CONVERTER LOCK-UP EXCESSIVE SLIP" (30 HEX OR P0741) IS STORED IN THE EGS TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. CAUSE POSSIBLE CAUSE: DETERIORATION OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER TURBINE SHAFT SEAL *END SERVICE BULLETIN TEXT* ALL I SIMPLY WANT IS BMW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT THEIR COST. THE PROBLEM CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, WHICH PREVENTS ME FROM OBTAINING A CLEAR SMOG TEST ON MY CAR TO REGISTER IT.

NHTSA complaint #10342390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 93,000 miles Rancho Cucamonga, CA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR AND FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE CRASH. AFTER THE CRASH THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA complaint #10312728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,142 miles Binghamton, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 530I. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER BRAKES AND STEERING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED. THE DEALER STATED THAT MOISTURE ACCUMULATED IN THE ENGINE AND FROZE. ALSO, THE INTERNAL VALVE BECAME STUCK, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE FAILURE. THE OIL SEPARATOR REPAIR KIT WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,142 .UPDATED 04/25/08

NHTSA complaint #10217916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.