KnownCarProblems2001 BMW 3 Series Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 BMW 3 Series, most often about the air bags (22% of complaints). It is 8th of 14 3 Series model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2001 BMW 3 Series problems
Air bags
8 complaints · 22%Parts named most often: side/window.
While driving my vehicle, I hit a pothole on the passenger side of the vehicle. My driver side airbags deployed: the side, and curtain. The passenger side airbags did not deploy. After inspecting the vehicle on the outside. The rear passenger side tire was flat.
Recalled passenger air bag was replaced by dealer last week, but the dashboard light indicates the passenger air bag is turned off. The dealer says this was an existing problem and refuses to fix without charging several hundred dollars to "diagnose." I maintain this is directly elated to the recalled air bag and…
Lights
8 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 96,000 miles.
The left rear brake light started to dim and triggered a warning indicator but went away. After a month or two, all the lights on rear left has failed. No brake lights, turn signal, or reverse light on the left side. After researching this looks likes NHTSA action number : ea09019. I currently see the burn harness and…
A recall has been issued for this problem for cars produced from 9/1/01 to 02/01/05. [recall campaign 11v-438: repair ground cable for rear light lamps (side panel)]. ...updated 09/22/15 I have the exact same problem although my car was produced approximately 14 months prior to the vehicles affected by the recall.…
Electrical
6 complaints · 17%Parts named most often: ignition.
Recently my rear taillights were noticeably darker and less responsive. Taking my BMW to my authorized BMW dealership/service center, resulted in a diagnosis that the rear wire harness needed to be replaced at a cost of ~$300. Following the visit to the dealership/service center, resulted in the rear light failing…
Recalled passenger air bag was replaced by dealer last week, but the dashboard light indicates the passenger air bag is turned off. The dealer says this was an existing problem and refuses to fix without charging several hundred dollars to "diagnose." I maintain this is directly elated to the recalled air bag and…
Fuel system
6 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 130,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
The welds on the front (passenger side) fuel tank support strap fitting (welded to the under side of the body) broke away allowing the support strap to fall, contact, bend backward and scrape along the road surface causing sparks. The tank was full of fuel, and the weight of the tank caused it to sag downward toward…
1) car would not start, fuse blown on fuel pump. (no. 1 original) towed to mechanic. 2) mechanic replaces fuel pump. (no.2) 3) return car to driveway where it sits over night. Car won't start. Towed it to mechanic. Replaced fuel pump, and he allows it to sit in his garage over night. (no.3) 4) car won't start. He…
Wheels and tires
5 complaints · 14%The contact owns a 2001 BMW 330i . The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there was a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact then pulled over and noticed that the rear right wheel came apart. When removing the wheel the contact also noticed that there was a huge crack in the middle of the rim.…
While driving my vehicle, I hit a pothole on the passenger side of the vehicle. My driver side airbags deployed: the side, and curtain. The passenger side airbags did not deploy. After inspecting the vehicle on the outside. The rear passenger side tire was flat.
Suspension
3 complaints · 8%The engine of my car shut off, and upon being towed to the dealer, they got back to me to say that the engine failed as a result of drivers error from a downshift from 4th to 2nd. The dealer said that this was identified by the car's computer system. However, after talking to many mechanics, I have been instructed…
While driving my vehicle, I hit a pothole on the passenger side of the vehicle. My driver side airbags deployed: the side, and curtain. The passenger side airbags did not deploy. After inspecting the vehicle on the outside. The rear passenger side tire was flat.
Transmission
3 complaints · 8%I was trying to park and when I put the car into reverse, the car did not move backwards. My car rolled forward as if it was in neutral. After researching the issue, this seems to be a common problem with the 3 Series.
2001 BMW 330i. No reverse. It seems to be a common issue with this transmission, yet there has been no recall. It was a one owner car with meticulous maintenance records. Despite the high miles, there were no warning signs prior to the reverse gear failing.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 BMW 3 Series recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting 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.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag inflator with a newly designed inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on july 12, 2021. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2000-2001 bmw 3 series (323ci, 325ci, 328ci and 330ci), 1999-2001 323i, 328i, 330i, 330xi, and 2000 323i, 328i stationwagon vehicles equipped with non-azide driver air bag inflators (nadi) manufactured by takata. These vehicles are equipped with driver-side air bag inflators that were previously inspected, but not replaced under recall numbers 19v-851, 19v852, or 19v-853. Due to a manufacturing issue, the nadi inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to explode or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Inadvertent side-impact air bag deployme
Summary
The subject vehicle's air bag electronic control module contains programmable logic for deploying the side-impact air bags.bmw revised the module several times over the span of the model years 1999 through 2002 (identified as mrs2.ca, mrs2.bb, mrs3, mrs3+ and mrs4).although model year 1999.5 vehicles with version mrs2.bb had 6.5% of the subject population, it accounted for 29% of the total reports received.the mrs2.bb exposure adjusted report rate was almost 4 times higher than other 3 series air bag module versions.in august 2002, bmw initiated a recall campaign for 20,500 model 323i and 328i vehicles with version mrs2.bb (NHTSA recall # 02v223000).in addition to experiencing a lower rate o
Inadvertent side-impact air bag
Questions about the 2001 BMW 3 Series
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 BMW 3 Series?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (8 complaints); lights (8 complaints, typically around 96,000 miles); electrical (6 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 3 Series have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 27, 2021 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the BMW 3 Series?
- It is 8th of 14 3 Series model years by number of complaints, with 36 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.