2001 BMW 5-Series Engine Problems and Repair Histories
2001 BMW 5-Series Engine problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
See what people are saying about 2001 BMW 5-Series problems
More about the
BMW 5-Series
Non-members can see only ten 2001 BMW 5-Series Engine problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
2001 BMW 5-Series
Engine not specified
| BMW 5-Series in Tennessee, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2010 | 65000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2010 | 76000 | 3500 | Valve cover gaskets, valley pan, vent box Replaced radiator |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| BMW 5-Series in Georgia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2011 | 144000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2011 | 144000 | 658 | Rough idling...crankcase vent valve and appropriate hoses replaced. |
| BMW 5-Series in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2011 | 95000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2012 | 96300 | 3000 | Radiator All The Pulleys |
| Mar | 2012 | 99000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW 5-Series in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2011 | 100000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2011 | 100000 | 2400 | Vanos valve timing malfunction. |
| BMW 5-Series in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2009 | 80000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2009 | 83000 | 3546 | inspection II, valley gasket, valve cover gasket belt tensioners |
| Oct | 2009 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2001 BMW 5-Series 4dr Wagon
282-horsepower 4.4L V8 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| BMW 5-Series in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2009 | 149000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2009 | 152000 | 350 | replaced pusher fan after failure |
| Mar | 2010 | 156000 | 300 | Replaced water pump and hoses |
| Nov | 2011 | 184700 | 300 | Intake manifold vacuum leak, preventative maintenance on cooling system |
| Apr | 2013 | 204000 | 120 | Replaced coolant expansion tank |
| BMW 5-Series in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2010 | 81000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2010 | 82000 | 0 | Coolant leak discovered after repeated "low coolant" messages. Fix for problem would have been cost-prohibitive unless done myself. |
2001 BMW 5-Series 4dr Wagon
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| BMW 5-Series in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 115320 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2011 | 116560 | 800 | Water pump failed |
| BMW 5-Series in Oregon, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2012 | 92000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2012 | 93300 | 0 | valve cover gaskets, loose bolts on the manifold |
| Apr | 2013 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| BMW 5-Series in Illinois, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2008 | 101000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2011 | 127000 | 150 | Thermostat not working heat not hot Check ngine light on |
| Apr | 2011 | 129000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2001 BMW 5-Series 4dr Wagon
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual RWD
| BMW 5-Series in Ohio, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2010 | 105000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2012 | 114700 | 1130 | The crankcase vent valve was replaced. It was not causing any problems at all, but this is a known mode of failure on this engine and would have to be dealt with at some point, assuming the owner plans to keep the car for 200000 miles. |
| Mar | 2013 | 119000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2001 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan
394-horsepower 4.9L V8 6-speed manual RWD
| BMW 5-Series in South Africa | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 83080 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2011 | 85560 | 7000 | Water pump started to leak. |
| Jun | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| BMW 5-Series in Ohio, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2011 | 62000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2011 | 62500 | 1700 | Car was leaking coolant. Tubes on the back side of the engine were leaking. Water pump was replaced as well. Valve cover gasket was replaced. |
| Jun | 2012 | 64000 | 1100 | Clutch replacement |
| Mar | 2013 | 65000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW 5-Series in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2011 | 79000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2012 | 88000 | 380 | Faulty camshaft sensor |
| Mar | 2013 | 93000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW 5-Series in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2011 | 86800 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2011 | 89900 | 290 | Replaced left-bank exhaust CPS that had failed. |
| Apr | 2013 | 102300 | 2600 | Had the rear main seal replaced. Seeping. |
| BMW 5-Series in Illinois, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2008 | 750 | Replaced worn/defective MAF sensors, L and R. | |
| Apr | 2012 | 99000 | 1006 | Thermostat and water temperature sensor replacement. Check Engine code frequently reporting engine was not warming up quickly enough. |
| Mar | 2013 | 108000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW 5-Series in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2009 | 38000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2010 | 39000 | 1496 | Engine belts and valve cover gasket replaced by dealer |
| Apr | 2010 | 40000 | 320 | Mass airflow sensors replaced. |
| Jul | 2011 | 48700 | 626 | Oil pan gasket leaking (covered under previous repair), power steering connection to cooler leaking, oil filter housing leaking (required oil change). |
| Dec | 2011 | 51000 | 1100 | Valve cover gasket leaking. Was replaced by same dealership 23 months ago so fixed under warranty. |
2001 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan
282-horsepower 4.4L V8 6-speed manual RWD
| BMW 5-Series in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2010 | 86000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2010 | 87000 | 130 | Check engine light came on and car was sputtering with power loss. Read codes and got multiple cylinder misfire. Ignition coil #2 was not functioning. Replaced with new one and engine light off and car runs good. Changed all plugs too. |
| Jul | 2012 | 91000 | 400 | Replaced lower radiator hose. |
| Jan | 2013 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| BMW 5-Series in Washington, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2010 | 46000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2010 | 47000 | 71 | Failed emissions test. There is ongoing problem with the bank 2 communications sensor. "Check engine" light now comes on intermittently. Problem is likely sensor bank continuing. |
| Nov | 2011 | 54700 | 1600 | emission system because of fuel intake gauge |
| Sep | 2012 | 62000 | 500 | emissions sensor |
| Mar | 2013 | 64000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2001 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan
282-horsepower 4.4L V8 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| BMW 5-Series in Hawaii, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2010 | 88000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2010 | 90000 | 2800 | Waterpump and connecting belts and pulleys went out. |
| Feb | 2011 | 93000 | 0 | Needed motor mounts, transmissions mounts, and a bunch of other very costly things. Car was a nightmare. All in all it put like 5k on my credit card in unexpected fixes in 11 months. Car overheated after I sold it. Pretty sure it was leaking coolant. No good. |
| BMW 5-Series in Ohio, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2011 | 114000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2011 | 117000 | 70 | Check engine light due to intake leak. Not successful, probably because there is more than one intake leak and I fixed only one of them. |
| Jul | 2012 | 123000 | 0 | Intake leak never fixed. |
| BMW 5-Series in Alberta, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2010 | 107880 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2010 | 117800 | 600 | Check Engine light on - problem diagnosed as Air Pump valve ( part of emission system) part replaced but check engine light came on again in a few days |
| Jan | 2011 | 120900 | 600 | The clutch in the fan started to howl and I replaced it. |
| Jul | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2001 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| BMW 5-Series in South Carolina, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2010 | 157000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2011 | 159000 | 208 | Expansion tank exploded (and disabled the vehicle). Lost all coolant. Indy replaced expansion tank, problem solved. |
| BMW 5-Series in Illinois, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2012 | 131000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2012 | 131000 | 3180 | Year ago: valve cover gaskets,brake sensor,radiator, upper rear ball joints, oil filter housing gasket,cyclone separator with hoses.replaced leaking suction and return power steering hoses,replaced both axle seals,replaced fuel filter,injector system. Year ago: injection system cleaning service,replaced expansion tank and vent hose. |
| Jan | 2013 | 139000 | 76 | Upstream bank one. Sensor one o-2 sensor |
| BMW 5-Series in Washington, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2012 | 117000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2012 | 128000 | 40 | Replaced leaking valve cover gasket. |
| Nov | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| BMW 5-Series in Washington, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2010 | 78000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2010 | 80000 | 1500 | Defective sensor led to failure of wiring harness for throttle body; also needed to update engine software and replace another emissions sensor that caused lean mix error codes. |
| Mar | 2011 | 84000 | 320 | Intake idle valve stuck, causing overly lean mix and surgy, low power. Valve replaced, software reset. Required 2 trips to shop. |
| Jun | 2011 | 84000 | 500 | Same problem as before--loss of power, surgy, unable to accelerate beyond 25 mph. Mechanic finally offered to buy car as a project car for himself. Got at least low KBB trade-in value, and put proceeds to new Audi A4 |
| BMW 5-Series in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2008 | 136000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2008 | 138000 | 70 | Waterpump on my drive back from Atlanta, the main bearing breaking about 1/2 a mile away from my house in a 1000 mile drive. |
| Mar | 2009 | 144000 | 60 | Coolant overflow tank. The old tank had a small crack on top of the tank not causing any harm but needed to be replaced so it was. |
| Jul | 2009 | 153000 | 15 | Oil Leak From Housing |
| Jan | 2011 | 180000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW 5-Series in Ohio, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2009 | 155000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2010 | 171000 | 781 | Water pump bearing shot and radiator slow leak |
| Jul | 2011 | 189000 | 765 | Thermostat housing where hose connects was cracked. |
| Mar | 2013 | 220000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW 5-Series in Georgia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2009 | 92000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2010 | 102000 | 500 | Preventive replacement of radiator, expansion tank, belts hoses |
| Mar | 2013 | 130000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW 5-Series in Queensland, Australia | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2010 | 60140 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2010 | 68780 | 830 | Rectify oil leak at the oil filter housing to engine head connection |
| Dec | 2011 | 88040 | 300 | A/C drive belt tensioner bearing becoming noisy again, 12 months after last replacement. |
| May | 2012 | 92960 | 0 | Idler pulley bearing for serpentine belt has failed again. |
| Jun | 2012 | 94240 | 823 | Opted to repair noisy belt pulley, also found leaking radiator expansion tank and hoses |
| Sep | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| BMW 5-Series in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2009 | 110000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2009 | 111000 | 120 | Coolant leak noticed at a gas station on road trip. Added water several times on way to closest BMW dealer. Dealer repaired hose (had no new one in stock). |
| Mar | 2010 | 112000 | 200 | Replaced all coolant hoses after previous temporary fix by BMW dealer during road trip. I purchased and replaced 5 coolant hoses and also steering hydraulic hose that was leaking. |
| Sep | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2001 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed manual RWD
| BMW 5-Series in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2010 | 132060 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2013 | 148360 | 250 | Thermostat stuck open; Engine running colder than expected. Replaced Thermostat and flushed/replaced Coolant. |
| Apr | 2013 | 150660 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW 5-Series in Oregon, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 152000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2011 | 153000 | 2400 | preventive water pump, TStat, radiator, hoses, belts. |
| Mar | 2012 | 161000 | 800 | Oil Leaks, small. Valve cover gasket, right rear. RR gasket on oil filter mounting piece |
| BMW 5-Series in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2008 | 84000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2010 | 94000 | 500 | Leak in radiator. Replaced whole cooling system. |
| Aug | 2012 | 111500 | 700 | Valve cover leaking oil due to slightly warped PLASTIC valve cover. Despite replacing the valve cover gasket at 100k miles as preventative, it leaked 11k miles later. The leak was small. |
| Mar | 2013 | 115000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2001 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| BMW 5-Series in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2011 | 109000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2011 | 114000 | 800 | Significant engine oil leak from gasket and hose below oil filter. |
| BMW 5-Series in Maryland, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2011 | 86000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2012 | 86000 | 400 | Bad tensioner pulley replace radiator hose |
| BMW 5-Series in Illinois, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2009 | 59000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2009 | 61000 | 120 | SES light for Cam Shaft Postion sensor exhaust side. Was present when car was purchased however light was intermittent and finally got around to replacing. Self installed, though typically a easy job, very hard to loosen the bolt. |
| Jan | 2010 | 61000 | 130 | Had small leak from lower radiator hose. Had to replace sensor and the hose, and refill coolant. |
| Jul | 2011 | 72000 | 1230 | Oil filter housing gasket and VANOS seals leaking. Also as PM replaced CCV (discovered to be on way out) with all associated hoses and air distribution piece, Valve Gasket, Dip stick tube o ring, and upper timing cover gasket. |
| Dec | 2012 | 78000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2001 BMW 5-Series 4-door
8-cylinder manual 2WD
| BMW 5-Series in North Carolina, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2009 | 99000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2009 | 102000 | 674 | Replace cam position sensor R&R Thermostat, pressure test cooling system for leaks. Test effectiveness of antifreeze protection. Replace o-ring, thermostat and coolant |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2001 BMW 5-Series 4-door
6-cylinder manual 2WD
| BMW in Ohio, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2009 | 119000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2009 | 121000 | 1650 | DISC (VANOS) air valve failing. |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2001 BMW 5-Series 4-door
6-cylinder automatic 2WD
| BMW 5-Series in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2009 | 88000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2010 | 89000 | 3200 | Water pump failed. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
Expert 2001 BMW 5-Series Repair Advice
Non-members can see only ten 2001 BMW 5-Series Engine problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
What People Are Saying about Problems with the 2001 BMW 5-Series
blog comments powered by Disqus
