Actually there are 7 recalls of the 2001 X5 -NHTSA (archive)

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Component: INTERIOR SYSTEMS:RESTRAINT:BELT ANCHOR AND ATTACHMENT
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Mfg. Campaign #: 00V261000
Year: 2001
Make: BMW
Model: X5
Potential Number of Units Affected: 490
Manufactured From: JUN 2000 To: JUL 2000
Year of Recall: '00
Type of Report: Vehicle
Summary:

Vehicle Description: Sport utility vehicles. The safety belt lower outboard anchorage bolt on the driver's and front passenger's seats may not have been secured properly.

In the event of a crash, the safety belt system might not be able to provide its maximum restraint function.

Dealers will inspect the bolts and correct the torque if necessary. Owner notification began September 27, 2000. 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. Also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Mfg. Campaign #: 00V341000
Year: 2001
Make: BMW
Model: X5
Potential Number of Units Affected: 2643
Manufactured From: SEP 2000 To: OCT 2000
Year of Recall: '00
Type of Report: Vehicle
Summary:

Vehicle Description: Sport utility vehicles. The nut that secures the axial joint of the left steering tie rod to the steering gear box may have not have been tightened securely. This could lead to loosening of the nut and, initially to steering wheel play and/or misalignment, as well as noise from the steering linkage. If vehicle operation continues, the tie rod could disconnect from the steering gear box.

Dealers will inspect and re-torque the nut securing the axial joint of the left steering tie rod. If the torque of the nut is found to be loose, the right nut will also be checked and corrected if necessary, and a front wheel alignment will be performed. Owner notification began November 14, 2000. 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. Also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Mfg. Campaign #: 01V030000
Year: 2001
Make: BMW
Model: X5
Potential Number of Units Affected: 13791
Manufactured From: SEP 2000 To: JAN 2001
Year of Recall: '01
Type of Report: Vehicle
Summary:

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles. During assembly of these vehicles, the lower end of the spindle may not have been inserted completely into the coupling. In such a case, the fastening bolt used to secure the connection may not completely engage the spindle within the coupling. During driving, it would be possible for the spindle to disconnect.

This could result in a loss of steering capability and increasing the risk of a crash.

Dealers will inspect the spindle to ensure proper insertion in the coupling, and, if necessary, the spindle will be fully inserted and the fastening bolt replaced. Owner notification began February 6, 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. Also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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Component: STEERING:POWER ASSIST:PUMP
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Mfg. Campaign #: 01V173000
Year: 2001
Make: BMW
Model: X5
Potential Number of Units Affected: 47
Manufactured From: MAR 2001 To: MAR 2001
Year of Recall: '01
Type of Report: Vehicle
Summary:

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles. Due to an assembly error during vehicle production, any of the three bolts that secure the pulley to the pump may have been inadequately tightened.

In such a case, the bolts could ultimately loosen causing the pulley to throw off the drive belt. This would result in the loss of certain engine auxiliary functions, i.e., power steering assist, water pump, or alternator. Steering effort would then be increased.

Dealers will inspect the power steering pump pulley to see if it is loose. If the pulley is not loose on the pump, the retaining bolts will be torqued to specification. If the pulley is loose, the pump, pulley, attaching bolts, and drive belt will be replaced. Owner notification is expected to begin by the end of June 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. Also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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Component: POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC:SWITCH:SOLENOID:SHIFT ELECTRIC
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Mfg. Campaign #: 01V196000
Year: 2001
Make: BMW
Model: X5
Potential Number of Units Affected: 14300
Manufactured From: SEP 1999 To: FEB 2001
Year of Recall: '01
Type of Report: Vehicle
Summary:

Vehicle Description: 4.4i sport utility vehicles. Over an extended period of time, abrasion particles could deposit on the electrical contacts within the switch, causing a disruption of the electric current through the contacts. If the disruption occurs when the vehicle is stationary with the transmission in the Neutral or Park positions, the transmission will switch automatically into the emergency program, which is displayed in the instrument cluster via a warning lamp and a message, "TRANS. FAIL-SAFE PROG." In this case, the vehicle can be driven in lower gears only with limited engine output.

If either of these problems occur, the ability to maintain speed in traffic and/or accelerate could be greatly diminished, possibly leading to a crash.

Dealers will replace the transmission gear position indicator switch. Owner notification is expected to begin by the end of June 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. Also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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Component: BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:BOOSTER
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Mfg. Campaign #: 01V197000
Year: 2001
Make: BMW
Model: X5
Potential Number of Units Affected: 36
Manufactured From: MAR 2001 To: MAR 2001
Year of Recall: '01
Type of Report: Vehicle
Summary:

Vehicle Description: Sport utility vehicles. Due to an assembly error, one or both self-locking nuts that secure the pedal assembly to the booster may have been cross-threaded on the booster studs that protrude through the firewall. In such a case, the nut(s) would not be fully seated on the stud(s).

If this occurred, the effective brake pedal travel could be reduced due to relative movement between the pedal and booster. Braking performance while driving could be adversely affected. In addition, it is possible that the booster could develop a leak after an extended period of time resulting in a reduction in brake power assist.

Dealers will inspect the two lock nuts to determine if they are properly seated. If the nuts are not properly seated or are cross-threaded, the brake booster will be replaced. Owner notification is expected to begin by the end of June 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. Also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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Component: ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Mfg. Campaign #: 01V206000
Year: 2001
Make: BMW
Model: X5
Potential Number of Units Affected: 22345
Manufactured From: DEC 2000 To: APR 2001
Year of Recall: '01
Type of Report: Vehicle
Summary:

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles. The engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Miscommutation of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.

If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result. In addition, it is possible in some cases for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause smoldering. A fire in the fan control unit, which is mounted on the fan and located in the front of the engine compartment, could occur.

Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification is expected to begin during July 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. Also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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