The BMW 530e is sleek, classy, and the perfect cosplay car for us wannabe executives who want a bit more room for amenities and mpg numbers that best a gas-guzzling sports sedan of yesteryears.
But then we turn to the first problem of the 530e, which is it’s a BMW, and BMWs aren’t exactly known to be as bulletproof as Toyotas nor as flawless as the expensive bling ornaments you may want to hang up on the rearview mirror of this thing.
So before you go shopping and unleash your inner chic with this German hybrid sedan, let’s take you on a guided tour of the actual list of common problems that the BMW 530e can have!
What are the common problems of a BMW 530e?
The most common problems of the BMW 530e include different engine issues, hybrid system malfunctions, suspension problems, and various electronic issues.
The BMW 530e also has exterior and interior problems relating to the LED daytime running lights (DRLs), airbags, trunk space, and cup holders.
Engine Problems
To start off this list of common BMW 530e problems, it’s worth turning your attention to one of the most major components of any vehicle, which is the engine itself.
Now while the BMW 530e isn’t exactly known to be problematic when it comes to its relatively new 4-cylinder “B48” engine, there are still a few commonly reported issues to look out for.
Common problems of the BMW 530e’s engine include belt pulley failure, malfunctioning radiator grill active air flaps, the check engine light illuminating, and possibly of various error codes.
1. Belt Pulley Failure
The BMW 530e as well as many other BMW models equipped with the B48 engine has a known issue wherein the belt pulleys can potentially fail or fracture.
Once there is a belt pulley failure, this can cause the belt to get misaligned and break off from the alternator, resulting in the shutting down of your electronics and the stalling of the engine.
The belt may also damage other surrounding components as it comes off, such as the coolant pump.
Some common symptoms to look out for when your belt pulley is going bad include slapping or knocking noises, squealing or whining noises, and signs of wear on the bearings and pulley themselves.
There is no recall currently for the belt pulley on the BMW 530e, so you’ll have to replace it out-of-pocket yourself.
2. Radiator Grill Active Air Flaps Malfunction
Another specific BMW 530e issue that doesn’t directly involve an engine component yet still affects the engine is the active air flaps located on the vehicle’s radiator grill.
These active air flaps, also known as “shutters”, are where outside air enters into the radiator to provide cooling for the engine, making it an important cooling system component.
The upper and lower active air flaps are supposed to automatically open when you’re driving and close when you’re parked.
However, some BMW 530e owners have reported that the air flaps still remained open when parked, an issue that’s also accompanied by a check engine light (CEL) illuminated on the dashboard.
This was a known issue on other BMW G30 5-series and G12 7-series models before it started popping up specifically on 530e units from the 2018 model year as well.
Thus, a warranty extension of 15 years or 150,000 miles that was originally for other BMW G30 and G12 models has also been given for the upper and lower active air flaps of the 2018 to 2019 BMW 530e models.
3. Check Engine Light With Error Codes
When the check engine light (CEL) suddenly gets illuminated on your BMW 530e’s dashboard, there can be several different reasons for it that are hidden in the error codes stored in its ECU (engine control unit).
In the case of the BMW 530e, the most common reason for a check engine light or CEL is because the ECU has detected an engine misfire in either one or multiple cylinders.
To actually detect misfire codes or any kind of code in general, you need to have a scanner tool such as an OBD-II reader. If you’re dealing with a misfiring problem on a BMW 4-cylinder engine, you may detect any of the error codes below.
BMW “Misfire” Error/Fault Codes:
• 140010 – a misfire has been detected in multiple cylinders
• 140110 – a misfire has been detected in cylinder #1
• 140210 – a misfire has been detected in cylinder #2
• 140310 – a misfire has been detected in cylinder #3
• 140410 – a misfire has been detected in cylinder #4
Hybrid System Malfunctions
Unsurprisingly, malfunctions in the hybrid system are one of the most common categories of problems in a plug-in hybrid vehicle like the BMW 530e.
Whether it involves the hybrid battery or the charging cable, issues in the hybrid system can significantly affect the range and performance of your BMW 530e.
4. 48-Volt Battery Discharge
The BMW 530e comes with a 48-volt hybrid battery, and while that may seem like a lot, some owners have reported that it can completely discharge, which basically leaves your car undrivable unless you get it fixed by a mechanic.
Some common symptoms to look out for when your hybrid battery is the battery warning light turning on, weird engine noises, worse fuel economy, and improper charging of the battery.
Now these kinds of battery issues are not just limited to BMW hybrid models like the 530e. Even electric vehicle models (EVs) such as the BMW i3 also run into their own concerns with their EV batteries.
Luckily, the BMW 530e is still a relatively new car ever since it first came out in 2017, meaning that the battery is still covered under the 8-year warranty as of this writing, as long as it has not yet clocked 80,000 miles (130,000 km) on the odometer.
Thus, this 80,000-mile mark is an important consideration to look out for when you’re buying a used BMW 530e, as it can give you an idea of whether or not the hybrid battery has already been swapped out for a new one.
Be sure to ask the current owner or used car dealer if the battery has already been replaced if it already has 80,000 miles on it. Otherwise, you can potentially be replacing it very soon for about $1,000.
5. Debris Buildup in Hybrid Battery
One known issue with the BMW 530e’s hybrid battery is that debris can build up inside the module, which raises further concerns about a potential fire hazard.
The manufacturer itself has stated that one or more cells inside the hybrid battery may potentially contain debris that got inside during the manufacturing process.
Such debris buildup in the hybrid battery cells can cause a short circuit, which is where the fire hazard can come from.
Fortunately, there is already a recall (20V601000) for this specific battery issue, which covers certain 530e xDrive and iPerformance models from the 2020 to 2021 model years.
Aside from replacing the affected hybrid battery modules at no cost, the manufacturer’s recall also advises owners that have not yet undergone the remedy to refrain from charging the car, driving in manual or sport mode, and using the paddle shifters.
6. Problem with the Charging Cable Capacitors
According to the German automaker itself, certain BMW 530e models that are specifically offered with a TurboCord portable charging cable have been reportedly equipped with capacitors that can fail.
In BMW’s recall (18V652000) for the problem, the failure of the charging capacitors can potentially result in either a fire hazard or a shock hazard, which are both equally concerning safety issues for affected vehicle models.
BMW was able to observe this problem, particularly in 2018 and 2019 models of the BMW 530e iPerformance and 530e xDrive iPerformance, though many other BMW hybrid and electric vehicle models were also affected for a total estimate of 3,501 units.
As for the remedy, BMW dealers will notify the owners of potentially affected 530e units and inspect their charging cables. If deemed necessary, the charging cables will be replaced for free.
7. Check Battery Light Comes On
Sometimes, we may simply forget to look at what’s in front of us for signs that something has gone wrong with our vehicle, and in the BMW 530e’s case, an illuminated check battery or battery warning light should definitely not come unnoticed.
A check battery light or notification on the BMW 530e can be a tough one to diagnose due to the countless electronics and features that the battery is responsible for.
Others have had to get the check battery light or notification looked into by the dealer, to which they proceed to reset the system to make it go away.
However, a simple reset doesn’t always solve the underlying cause. You may be dealing with a defective battery or having issues with the charging system, which can eventually trigger the battery light to turn on again.
BMW 530e models made both before and after 2021 have been observed to get this check battery light issue, though a recall regarding the electronics was only issued for the 2021 and newer models.
Otherwise, the 2020 and older BMW 530e models are not covered under any recall for the battery, so you’d have to shell out $1,000 if ever push comes to shove with the battery.
Suspension and Ride Quality Problems
BMW is known to play by the rules of “comfort and luxury” just like the majority of high-end vehicle manufacturers, but this doesn’t really make models like the 530e immune to problems that strap you in for a bumpy ride.
But when it comes to problems with the suspension and overall ride quality of the BMW 530e, they’re more of a case of doing proper maintenance on wear-and-tear components rather than the car having suspension defects from the factory.
8. Bad Wheel Alignment and Prematurely Worn-Out Tires
Wear-and-tear parts can include the BMW 530e’s wheels and tires.
If you’ve been driving your car for miles and miles on end without getting a wheel alignment, a tire rotation, or a tire change, then it’ll be easy to point fingers at the suspension having an issue.
However, it’s also important to mention that the BMW 530e’s independent rear suspension design does make its rear tires quite prone to wearing out faster. Hence, expect to change the tires as often as every 10,000 miles (16,000 km).
Electronic Issues
Like other BMW models that we’ve already covered, the BMW 530e is no stranger to problems relating to various electronics around the car.
The BMW 530e is most commonly known for electronic issues like malfunctioning cruise control, a faulty backup/rearview camera, the doors locking on their own while the keyfob is still inside, and the vehicle accelerating on its own with no throttle input.
9. Cruise Control Feature Malfunction
Cruise control is already quite a common feature in today’s vehicles that allows your right foot to rest while still maintaining a certain speed, though this feature is known to malfunction by suddenly deactivating.
While not as prevalent as the other electronic issues, the faulty cruise control has been a part of a series of electronic failures attributed to changes made to the electronic system to accommodate the hybrid battery.
As we’ve already discussed earlier, a recall does exist for the hybrid battery itself to fix the “debris” issue in the battery cells of the 2020 and 2021 530e models. So far, there are no reports of cruise control malfunctions in newer models.
10. Faulty Backup/Rearview Camera
One of the most problematic electronic features that the BMW 530e has is the rearview or “backup” camera, which can leave you just resorting to manually using the rearview mirror or the side mirrors when backing up.
As with a lot of vehicles, the rearview camera activates and displays what’s behind the vehicle on your infotainment screen whenever you shift the BMW 530e in reverse.
However, several different model years of the BMW 530e are notorious for having rearview or backup cameras with partially obstructed views or don’t work at all.
Two different recalls have since been issued for different model years that exhibit rear camera problems, with the first one (19V684000) covering 2018 to 2020 530e and 530e xDrive models that have no camera display image.
The second recall (21V096000) reports a nearly identical issue in certain 2020 to 2021 530e and 530e xDrive models that can have either a small portion of their rearview image obscured or the screen not working at all.
Both recalls aim to inspect the software for the rearview cameras of affected models and give them a well-overdue update if found to exhibit the issue.
11. Doors Lock From the Outside With Key Fob Inside
Another annoying problem that can happen to BMW 530e owners is exiting the vehicle only to find the doors have locked automatically while the key fob is still inside the cabin.
Now, getting locked out of a vehicle like the BMW 530e shouldn’t normally be a thing even if you’ve left the key fob inside, as it’s designed to only lock the doors when it has detected that there is no key fob present.
It turns out that either an issue with the car’s computer (ECU) or a dead key fob battery can cause the doors to lock within one or two minutes since it fails to detect the key fob inside the car.
The BMW 530e’s key fob is powered by a small circular battery with the code “CR2032”, so you should be able to easily replace it and prevent the issue from happening.
But of course, if you’re still locked out of your car with no spare key or key fob, then you’ll have to resort to lock-picking methods or call the dealership for help.
12. Vehicle Accelerates on Its Own Without Throttle Input
Among the different electronic problems that the BMW 530e can develop, the most dangerous one is undoubtedly the vehicle accelerating on its own even without the driver stepping on the gas pedal.
Probably mistaken as a case of paranormal activity by some people, certain 2019 models of the BMW 530e may suddenly accelerate by themselves from a dead stop or even when parked with the e-brake engaged.
However, the culprit doesn’t come from the spiritual realm, but rather from a potential issue or failure in the electronic system, as the throttle control of modern vehicles is electronically controlled, or “drive-by-wire”, after all.
Given these pieces of info, there is a chance that the throttle may get stuck in an open position even with no input on the pedal, which is quite a terrifying situation to be in.
To get to the bottom of this issue, you need to have your vehicle diagnosed with any electronic problems that are causing the throttle to stay open. Most likely, the best resolution would be to either reset or update your system.
Interior Problems
There are a few problems with the BMW 530e’s interior that are worth talking about, though such problems can vary from just a case of bad design to more serious safety issues.
13. Head Airbag Inflator Issue
Airbag problems are one of the most reported concerns in the interior of the BMW 530e, more particularly, the inflators of the head airbags.
Early BMW 530e xDrive models from 2017 and 2018 have received the most complaints when it comes to their airbags, and a recall (20V243000) has already been issued to resolve them.
As stated in the recall, the driver (left) or passenger (right) head airbag inflators may have been exposed to too much humidity during the manufacturing process, which can affect the way that the airbags deploy in the event of a collision.
The recall simply replaces either the left or right airbags of affected models to prevent the airbags from deploying improperly and injury to occur.
14. Battery Placement Limits Trunk Space
As part of the 5-series lineup, the BMW 530e is quite a sizeable sedan, not until you open the trunk and realize that the placement of the battery leaves more to be desired in terms of cargo space.
While you can fold the back seats forward to get more room for cargo, this isn’t really ideal when you’ve got a family of 4 but still need to figure out where to place the rest of your luggage that doesn’t fit in the 10 to 14-cubic-foot trunk.
15. Cup Holder Blocks Wireless Charging Module
Moving on to the front of the BMW 530e’s interior, the cup holder has a rather questionable placement wherein if you were to put drinks in there, it’ll block the wireless charging module for your phone.
More of a minor impractical choice of placement or design than an actual factory defect, you now have to choose between placing your thirst quencher of choice elsewhere or taking it out every single time you need to charge your phone.
Exterior Problems
The BMW 530e isn’t exactly known to have an exterior riddled with problems, but one, or rather, a pair of components that you should look out for would be the LED daytime running lights (DRLs).
16. LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) Turn Yellow or Get Discolored
The LED daytime running lights, or “DRLs”, on the BMW 530e are prone to turn yellow or get discolored as it gets exposed to the elements.
While yellowish or discolored headlights are quite common in older vehicles, it can be quite a disappointment when it happens to a newer luxury car like the BMW 530e.
Headlights generally turn yellow whenever their protective layer or coating wears off, allowing UV rays from the sun to oxidize the plastic material.
If the internal light tube itself has turned yellow, like what one forum poster has experienced, then you may already have an LED module that has gone bad.
The LED module can be replaced for around $100 while replacing the entire headlight assembly will cost from $500 to upwards of $1,000 per side depending on the exact headlight model that you go for.
What are the known recalls for the BMW 530e?
The BMW 530e has several known recalls across different model years that involve its airbag inflators, crankshaft sensor, portable charger capacitors, rearview/backup camera, and hybrid battery cells.
| BMW 530e Model Year | Recall Number | Recall Reason |
2017 | 20V243000 | Head airbag inflators may have been exposed to too much humidity, which can affect the proper deployment of the airbags. |
2018 | 18V652000 | Crankshaft sensor may have been equipped with the wrong firmware, causing it to not properly process the crankshaft reluctor ring’s input, which can cause the vehicle to stall. |
18V465000 | TurboCord portable charger capacitors may fail, which can result in either a fire or shock hazard. | |
19V684000 | Backup camera and display settings may get adjusted in a way that the rear view image is obstructed or not visible while in reverse, increasing the risk of an accident. | |
20V243000 | Head airbag inflators may have been exposed to too much humidity, which can affect the proper deployment of the airbags. | |
2019 | 18V652000 | Crankshaft sensor may have been equipped with the wrong firmware, causing it to not properly process the crankshaft reluctor ring’s input, which can cause the vehicle to stall. |
19V684000 | Backup camera and display settings may get adjusted in a way that the rear view image is obstructed or not visible while in reverse, increasing the risk of an accident. | |
2020 | 19V684000 | Backup camera and display settings may get adjusted in a way that the rear view image is obstructed or not visible while in reverse, increasing the risk of an accident. |
| 20V601000 | Debris may be present in either one or multiple cells in the hybrid battery during the production process, which can result in a short circuit and fire hazard. | |
| 21V096000 | The rearview camera image may be obscured or not shown on the screen while in reverse, which increases the risk of an accident. | |
2021 | 20V601000 | Debris may be present in either one or multiple cells in the hybrid battery during the production process, which can result in a short circuit and fire hazard. |
21V096000 | The rearview camera image may be obscured or not shown on the screen while in reverse, which increases the risk of an accident. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
