NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
151 reportsMileage unknown · Sep 18, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND STRUCK THE FRONT PASSENGER'S FACE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED EYE AND TOOTH INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND STRUCK THE FRONT PASSENGER'S FACE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED EYE AND TOOTH INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10637324
69,000 miles · Jul 31, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
MY DOORS WON'T UNLOCK. I HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN LOCKED IN THE CAR, AND HAD TO CLIMB OUT MY WINDOW/SUNROOF. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM MENTIONED ON MANY BMW ENTHUSIAST FORUMS. I WISH MORE OF THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM WITH SUBMIT A COMPLAINT. I AM WORRIED ABOUT BEING IN AN ACCIDENT AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF MY CA…
Read full complaint
MY DOORS WON'T UNLOCK. I HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN LOCKED IN THE CAR, AND HAD TO CLIMB OUT MY WINDOW/SUNROOF. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM MENTIONED ON MANY BMW ENTHUSIAST FORUMS. I WISH MORE OF THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM WITH SUBMIT A COMPLAINT. I AM WORRIED ABOUT BEING IN AN ACCIDENT AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF MY CAR. SOMETIMES MY DOORS UNLOCK, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. THIS IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GM5 MODULE, AND A PERSON ONLINE EVEN SPECIALIZES IN FIXING IT SINCE IT IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM (HTTP://WWW.BMWGM5.COM). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10618011
95,000 miles · Jul 8, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringWheels
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP IT IS THE SZL (STEERING ANGLE SENSOR). *JS
NHTSA ODI #10608818
129,400 miles · Aug 3, 2013
Power Train
MY CAR WAS FUNCTIONING PERFECTLY FINE THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT. I WENT INTO A RESTAURANT AND WHEN I CAME OUT AND GOT INTO MY CAR AND TRIED TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING LOT MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP BUT NO MOVEMENT. I PUSHED IT OUT AND PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND THE CAR WORKS FINE BUT THERE IS NO REVERSE. I TOOK …
Read full complaint
MY CAR WAS FUNCTIONING PERFECTLY FINE THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT. I WENT INTO A RESTAURANT AND WHEN I CAME OUT AND GOT INTO MY CAR AND TRIED TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING LOT MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP BUT NO MOVEMENT. I PUSHED IT OUT AND PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND THE CAR WORKS FINE BUT THERE IS NO REVERSE. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE QUOTE I WAS GIVEN IS $6000! MY CAR HIGH BOOKS AT $5400. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THESE CARS AND BMW REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE IT AS A PROBLEM. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A CAR THAT I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX NOR DO I WANT TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE CAR THAN IT WILL EVER BE WORTH. I NEED HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10533390
160,000 miles · Jun 19, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
RIGHT SIDE REAR LIGHTS BURNED OUT REPLACED BULBS NOTHING HAPPENED UNPLUGGED THE HARNESS TO FIND #4 PRONG COMPLETELY BURNED AWAY ON CAR CHECKED THE LEFT SIDE AND THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING IT IS GETTING HOT AND LOOKS LIKE IT IS READY TO BURN OUT ALSO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520794
177,600 miles · Mar 3, 2013
Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other
I OWN A 2001 BMW 325I. THE GROUND WIRES FOR THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY BURNED OUT, CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE REPAIRS WOULD INCLUDE ADDING A GROUND WIRE TO THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. …
Read full complaint
I OWN A 2001 BMW 325I. THE GROUND WIRES FOR THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY BURNED OUT, CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE REPAIRS WOULD INCLUDE ADDING A GROUND WIRE TO THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED TEH CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR HIS VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE.
NHTSA ODI #10501741
100,000 miles · Feb 11, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS NON-FUNCTIONAL. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ISSUE RELATED TO PREVIOUS RECALL OF BMW'S RECALLED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V438000. I CALLED BMW WHICH TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL. I BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10497777
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED IN THE MANNER DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000. THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2000-10-30 AND THAT CAMPAIGN APPLIES TO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER 09-2001. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10491570
100,000 miles · Sep 17, 2012
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED TO CO…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED TO CONTACT NHTSA FOR ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10475623
137,000 miles · Sep 10, 2012
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS DASHBOARD BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE INDICATING LIGHT FAILURE AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CONTACT TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND THEY BEGAN TO FLASH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE BY UNPLUGGING THE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR TH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS DASHBOARD BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE INDICATING LIGHT FAILURE AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CONTACT TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND THEY BEGAN TO FLASH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE BY UNPLUGGING THE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000. ...UPDATED 10/17/12 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10474548
Official recalls
6Jan 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
Illustration