Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan (BMW)
Vehicle recall 02V-138. NHTSA received BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE’s report on May 16, 2002.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.
The short answer
NHTSA received BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE’s report on May 16, 2002. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 28, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
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.
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.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan.
What should you do?
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.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 1,550 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- BMW 525ITand 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW 330XIand 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW 330CIand 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW 540Iand 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW 325CIand 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW 750ILand 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW 740Iand 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW 540IAand 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW 530IAand 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW Z8and 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW 750ILPand 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW 525Iand 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW 525IAand 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW X5and 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW 325Iand 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW 325ITand 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW 330Iand 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW 740ILAand 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW 525ITAand 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW 540ITAand 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW 740ILPand 2001, before the model years listed here
- BMW 530Iand 2001, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
-
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 28, 2026.