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2001 BMW 325I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

81 reports with mileage · 70 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports8 fire reports17 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

17 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSeats

PURCHASED THE CAR USED, IN JANUARY 2011, WITH APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MILES. VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL STORED ENGINE CODES, PO0300,171,174,1345,1351,1353; MOSTLY RELATING TO OXYGEN SENSORS AND THE MAF. ALL ENGINE HOSES, THE MAF, ALL 4 OXYGEN SENSORS AND THE IGNITION COIL PACKS WERE REPLACED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF N…

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PURCHASED THE CAR USED, IN JANUARY 2011, WITH APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MILES. VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL STORED ENGINE CODES, PO0300,171,174,1345,1351,1353; MOSTLY RELATING TO OXYGEN SENSORS AND THE MAF. ALL ENGINE HOSES, THE MAF, ALL 4 OXYGEN SENSORS AND THE IGNITION COIL PACKS WERE REPLACED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF NORMAL DRIVING, ALL CODES HAD RETURNED. MECHANIC IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE POINTS OF FAILURE FOR THESE ISSUES AND BMW DENIES ANY EXISTING PROBLEM THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT, TURNS ON AND OFF, RANDOMLY, WHETHER SOMEONE IS SITTING THERE, OR NOT. FAILURE OF THE SENSOR COULD CAUSE THE AB NOT TO DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT, CAUSING SERIOUS, IF NOT FATAL, INJURY. BMW IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, DOES NOT REPLACE/REPAIR. DOOR LOCK/WINDOW/WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE, KNOWN AS GM5, FAILS RANDOMLY AND OFTEN. IT HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE I WAS IN THE CAR. SINCE IT DISABLES THE DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS, I WAS TRAPPED IN MY CAR FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THANKFULLY, I HAD THE WINDOW ROLLED DOWN FAR ENOUGH TO PASS MY KEYS TO SOMEONE ON THE OUTSIDE, SO THEY COULD UNLOCK THE DOOR. IN AN ACCIDENT, PASSENGERS COULD BE STUCK, KEEPING EMERGENCY WORKERS FROM GIVING THEM MEDICAL ATTENTION, IN A TIMELY FASHION. BMW IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DENIES IT'S EXISTENCE. I ALSO RECEIVE RANDOM EXTERIOR LIGHT OUT WARNINGS, ON THE DASH. USUALLY, IT'S BOTH TAILLIGHTS, BUT MORE FREQUENTLY, IT IS THE DRIVER SIDE LIGHT SENSOR, THAT FAILS, THOUGH THE LIGHT IS ACTUALLY WORKING, JUST FINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10455224

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

2001 BMW 325I. ATTORNEY WRITES ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS REGARDING VEHICLE RECALL REPAIRS *TGW WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED 140,000 MILES IT BEGAN RUNNING UNUSUALLY LOUD WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING AN INTERMITTENT BEEPING SOUND. ACCORDING TO AN INVOICE, THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, BUT TH…

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2001 BMW 325I. ATTORNEY WRITES ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS REGARDING VEHICLE RECALL REPAIRS *TGW WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED 140,000 MILES IT BEGAN RUNNING UNUSUALLY LOUD WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING AN INTERMITTENT BEEPING SOUND. ACCORDING TO AN INVOICE, THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, BUT THE REPAIRS WERE DECLINED. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO EXERCISE HIS RIGHT TO HAVE THE RECALL REMEDIED DUE TO THE VEHICLE POTENTIALLY CATCHING ON FIRE. RECALL NUMBERS 01V206000 AND 02V138000 WERE MENTIONED IN THE LETTER. *JB UPDATED 05/12/11. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10387688

140,000 miles · Apr 5, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE FANS BEGAN RUNNING UNUSUALLY LOUD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ALSO EXTREMELY LOUD. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO MAKE A BEEPING SOUND INTERMITTENTLY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10323733

54,500 miles · Nov 14, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVisibility

I HAVE A 2001 BMW 2.5 AUTOMATIC WITH ABOUT 55K MILES. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AROUND 12K AND THE DEALER REPLACE THE COIL. IT CAME ON AGAIN SEVERAL TIME LATER OVER THE COURSE OF 2 YEARS FOR FEW DAYS. EVERY TIME BY THE TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THE SES DISAPPEARED AND DEALER CAN'T FIND ANY THING WRONG. HOWEV…

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I HAVE A 2001 BMW 2.5 AUTOMATIC WITH ABOUT 55K MILES. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AROUND 12K AND THE DEALER REPLACE THE COIL. IT CAME ON AGAIN SEVERAL TIME LATER OVER THE COURSE OF 2 YEARS FOR FEW DAYS. EVERY TIME BY THE TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THE SES DISAPPEARED AND DEALER CAN'T FIND ANY THING WRONG. HOWEVER, I NOTICE THAT WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON, THE ENGINE RUN ROUGH AND ACCELERATION IS SLOW. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW AT 55K AND THE LIGHT IS ON FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS. ALSO, BMW IS FAMOUS FOR PROBLEM WITH THE WINDOWS REGULATOR. DEALER REPLACES THREE OF THE FOUR WINDOWS REGULATORS ON THREE DOORS DURING WARRANTY BUT NOW THE FOURTH ONE HAS FAILED. WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT NOW ALL THE WINDOWS REGULATOR ON ALL THE FOUR DOORS HAS FAILED. PLEASE HAVE BMW RECALLED THE ISSUE WITH IGNITION COIL AND FIX THE WINDOWS REGULATOR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH

NHTSA ODI #10098811

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING CAR WOULD OVERHEAT.ENGINE FAN FELL OFF VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10031499

13,200 miles · Jun 8, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

FROZEN CRANKCASE VENTILATION VALVE CAUSED ENGINE TO STALL OUT COMPLETELY IN TRAFFIC. NO ENGINE RESTART WAS POSSIBLE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10021263

5,000 miles · Mar 15, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingCrashInjury

WHILE MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BREAK, MY 2001 BMW 325I SEEMED TO SPEED UP AND CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO THE BUILDING I WAS PARKING IN FRONT OF. SEVERE DAMAGE ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF MY RIGHT FOOT( A BRUISE THE SHAPE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL } ALONG WITH OTHER FOOT AND ANKLE INJURIES INDICATE MY FOOT WAS INDEED ON THE BRAKE AND NOT ON THE…

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WHILE MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BREAK, MY 2001 BMW 325I SEEMED TO SPEED UP AND CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO THE BUILDING I WAS PARKING IN FRONT OF. SEVERE DAMAGE ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF MY RIGHT FOOT( A BRUISE THE SHAPE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL } ALONG WITH OTHER FOOT AND ANKLE INJURIES INDICATE MY FOOT WAS INDEED ON THE BRAKE AND NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AS ONE MIGHT THINK. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR $ 5,000.00. NO ANSWER FOR WHAT HAPPENED FROM DEALER. APPROX SEVEN MONTHS LATER, WHILE ON AN OPEN ROAD APPROACHING STOP LIGHT AGAIN WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR REVVED UP TO 4,000 RMP THEN BACK DOWN AND STALLED. CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER THIS. TOWED TO DIFFERENT BMW DEALER WHO CLAIMED FAULTY GAS SENSORS WERE TO BLAME. SENSORS TOLD ENGINE CAR NEEDED GAS WHEN INDEED IT DID NOT. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10010507

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAD COME ON INTERMITTENT. *TT THE ASC + T LIGHT AND THE PARK BRAKE LIGHT HAD COME ON ALSO. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE DAMAGED SENSOR. *SCC

NHTSA ODI #566959

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentVisibility

WHEN TURNING OFF AIR CONDITIONER, A VERY BAD SMELL COMES THROUGH THE VENTS. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT IT IS WAS AN AIR QUALITY ISSUE WITH CONSUMER'S ENVIRONMENT.*AK VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS. *TT

NHTSA ODI #8013103

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

RECALL 01 V 206 002/ENGINE AUXILARY COOLING FAN: VEHICLE OVERHEATED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO DEALER, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8004563

Official recalls

6

20V018000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

19V853000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Nov 26, 2019

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999-2001 323i, 325i, 328i and 330i and 2000-2001 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, 323iT, and 325iT vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver air bag as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: BMW notified owners, and Dealers will replace the driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

14V428000 · Air Bags

Jun 11, 2018

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

02V138000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

May 16, 2002

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

01V206000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

Jun 21, 2001

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

00V383000 · Wheels:rim

Nov 20, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE MACHINE USED TO MOUNT AND INFLATE THE TIRES ON THE WHEELS AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE INNER RIM FLANGE OF THE WHEELS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR FROM THE TIRE AFFECTING HANDLING AND VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FIVE WHEELS FOR POSSIBLE DAMAGE. IF DAMAGE FROM THE MOUNTING MACHINE IS FOUND ON ANY WHEEL, ALL FIVE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.