NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 BMW 530I Recalls & Complaints

The 2002 BMW 530I has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 29 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 BMW 530I. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2002 BMW 530I owner complaints

Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 BMW 530I, describing incidents dated August 10, 2002 to March 20, 2025.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 8 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 4 complaints
Engine 3 complaints
Power Train 3 complaints
Seats 3 complaints
Steering 2 complaints

Of the 29 complaints on file, 4 report a crash and 3 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11653375 · Filed April 8, 2025
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…
ODI #11297129 · Filed January 4, 2020
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.
ODI #11258546 · Filed September 27, 2019
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.

Read all 29 complaints

Inflators In Sports Steering Wheels May Explode

NHTSA #19V015000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 14, 2019 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 157,549 vehicles

Repair completion: 23.18% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified March 14, 2019 · Vehicles built September 1, 2000 – July 2, 2003 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a BMW dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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 March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #15V318000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported May 28, 2015 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 419,235 vehicles

Repair completion: 33.39% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified August 19, 2016 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a BMW dealer immediately.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

BMW/FRONT STRUT

NHTSA #02V057000 · Suspension · NHTSA notice

Reported February 19, 2002 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 4,672 vehicles

Owners notified March 15, 2002 · Vehicles built November 6, 2001 – November 20, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRING STRUT UPPER MOUNTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 15, 2002. 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BMW/TIRES

NHTSA #01V352000 · Tires — Sidewall · NHTSA notice

Reported November 26, 2001 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 1,318 vehicles

Owners notified December 10, 2001 · Vehicles built September 28, 2001 – October 24, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL FIVE TIRES FOR A POSSIBLE CUT IN THE SIDEWALL, AND IF A CUT IS FOUND, THE TIRE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2002 BMW 530I. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

29 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 BMW 530I.

Tires

ODI #11653375

Incident: March 20, 2025 · Filed: April 8, 2025

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.

Steering

ODI #11297129

Incident: January 4, 2020 · Filed: January 4, 2020

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.

Electrical System

ODI #11258546

Fire

Incident: August 23, 2019 · Filed: September 27, 2019

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.

Steering; Suspension; Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #11182691

Incident: January 15, 2019 · Filed: February 27, 2019

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

Air Bags

ODI #11062561

Incident: November 1, 2017 · Filed: January 13, 2018

TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL

Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11057078

Incident: October 10, 2013 · Filed: December 28, 2017

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.

Air Bags

ODI #11044103

Incident: November 6, 2017 · Filed: November 7, 2017

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

Air Bags

ODI #10993328

Incident: July 15, 2015 · Filed: June 5, 2017

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.

Air Bags

ODI #10930284

Incident: July 25, 2015 · Filed: December 6, 2016

"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. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10930275

Incident: July 1, 2016 · Filed: December 6, 2016

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.

Other BMW 530I model years

Check your 2002 BMW 530I VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 530I at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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