The engine auxiliary/cooling fan is a critical component that helps keep your engine at a safe temperature. It's controlled by an electronic unit that can fail and stop the fan from working.
Risk if Unfixed
If the fan motor fails, your engine could overheat and suffer damage. In the worst case, a fire could start in the fan control unit, which is located near the front of the engine compartment.
Free Fix
Your dealer will replace the faulty fan for free, so schedule the repair as soon as you get the recall notice. It's a free service, and you should contact your dealer if you don't receive the repair within a reasonable time.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Original — 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 WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
The fan in your vehicle helps keep your engine cool, and it's controlled by an electronic system. In certain cases, the fan's motor can fail, causing the control unit to overheat and shut down.
Risk if Unfixed
If the fan stops working, your engine can overheat, which could lead to serious damage and potentially even a fire in the fan control unit, which is located in the front of the engine compartment.
Free Fix
Your authorized BMW dealer will replace the faulty fan with a new one, free of charge, and you should schedule the repair as soon as possible after receiving the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Original — 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.
The air bag in your vehicle is designed to protect you in a crash. In certain BMW models, if you've replaced your original steering wheel with an optional sports steering wheel, the air bag could fail to deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Risk if Unfixed
If the air bag inflator explodes, it could send sharp metal fragments flying into you or other passengers, potentially causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will inspect your vehicle to see if the sports steering wheel with the faulty air bag is installed. If so, they'll replace the air bag module with a safe one, free of charge. Do not drive your vehicle until this repair is done.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — 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.
The air bag control module is the computer that activates your front air bags, side air bags, and seatbelt pretensioners. In some 2003 models, this computer might malfunction and accidentally deploy the air bags or disconnect the battery.
Risk if Unfixed
If the air bags deploy unexpectedly, you could get seriously hurt if you're close to them. The malfunction could also cause your engine to stall and not start again, leaving you stranded.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty air bag control module for free. You should contact them at 1-800-831-1117 to schedule the repair as soon as possible.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG(S) COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF AN OCCUPANT IS TOO CLOSE TO THE DEPLOYING AIR BAG(S). IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL MAY ALSO BE ACTIVATED. IF THAT HAPPENS, THE STARTER CABLE WOULD BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE BATTERY, AND THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER10, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
