KnownCarProblems2001 BMW 325ci Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 BMW 325ci, most often about the air bags (27% of complaints, typically around 152,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about 325ci model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2001 BMW 325ci problems
Air bags
13 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 152,500 miles. Parts named most often: side/window.
I [] and [] were on a local back road in our town when my rear frame member on the driver side had snapped and pulled US into the oncoming side of the road into a large ditch where we took out a fence post and clipped a fiber optics line indicator post then into a colbert the airbags did not deploy on my front window…
Takata recall. I received a card in the mail from BMW of north america informing me that there was a recall on the airbag for my 2003 BMW x5. When we called the dealership in amarillo texas, autoplex BMW, we were told by the service manager kendra that we are welcome to buy new cars from them but they will no longer…
Engine
8 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine.
Dt: on may 20, 2005 at about 5 pm eastern time the contact reported the following problem with 2001 BMW 325 , VIN []. Vehicle had 25, 000 miles and was in excellent condition. While driving home vehicle stalled three times on a residential road in cambridge, ma., after stalling the check engine light came on, and…
Tl contact owns a 2001 BMW 325ci. The vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer on september 17, 2008 and has not yet been diagnosed. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 84,100.
Transmission
5 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
2001 BMW 325ci; transmission is leaking. Dealer says transmission must be replaced. Vehicle abruptly stopped on freeway. I note that 1999 BMW models had transmission leakage problem.
2001 BMW 325ci automatic, will not work in reverse, but works forward. Apparently, this is so widespread a safety issue that entire websites are dedicated to it exclusively, and I can't imagine (other than greed) by BMW isn't recalling these transmissions to take care of them.
Body and structure
5 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
2001 BMW 325ci, passenger side fuel tank strap failure at front weld site causing fuel tank to hang from the under body only several inches off the ground. The rear fuel tank strap remained bolted down so strap remained attached to the vehicle, dragging on the road surface causing a loud metallic popping and…
2001 BMW 325 ci was being driven by my wife when the gas tank strap on passenger side broke off from the rear section. There was no accident, bumps or other issues that caused this incident. The gas tank hung down a few inches from the road. We got the car to the mechanic and learned that we needed both a gas tank…
Electrical
4 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: wiring.
Tl contact owns a 2001 BMW 325ci. The contact stated that the vehicle's tag lights failed. The dealer stated that there was a short in the wiring. The trunk sensor failed which prevented the contact from knowing whether or not the trunk was closed properly. The contact found that the wire harness in the trunk was…
Faulty dmtl now needs a third component at 49,000. Miles. Just replaced defective wiring harness in trunk that caused some lights to fail and burnt up a relay faulty design. Transmission cable gets stuck when shifting out of drive & n. Needs cable re aligned or replaced for the second time in 49,000. Miles very…
Fuel system
4 complaints · 8%2001 BMW 325ci, passenger side fuel tank strap failure at front weld site causing fuel tank to hang from the under body only several inches off the ground. The rear fuel tank strap remained bolted down so strap remained attached to the vehicle, dragging on the road surface causing a loud metallic popping and…
While driving approximately 30 MPH on a residential street I begin hearing a noise that sounded like something dragging from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. I pulled the car over and observed that the strap that holds the gas tank up, was hanging down from one end. I then drove approximately 1/2 mile to an…
Lights
4 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: brake lights.
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325 ci. The contact stated that the driver's side tail light failed to illuminate. The tail light warning light illuminated during the failure. The contact confirmed that the bulb wire connector was melted. The contact believed that the failure was similar to NHTSA campaign id…
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325ci. The contact stated that while traveling 60 MPH, the left turn signal failed to work properly. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who confirmed that the turn signal connectors were found to be melted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not…
Suspension
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: rear.
I [] and [] were on a local back road in our town when my rear frame member on the driver side had snapped and pulled US into the oncoming side of the road into a large ditch where we took out a fence post and clipped a fiber optics line indicator post then into a colbert the airbags did not deploy on my front window…
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 325ci 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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: fan
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: fan
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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.
Questions about the 2001 BMW 325ci
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 BMW 325ci?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (13 complaints, typically around 152,500 miles); engine (8 complaints, typically around 53,000 miles); transmission (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 325ci have?
- 5 recalls 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 325ci?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about 325ci model year since 2000, with 49 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.