Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
30–25K
025–50K
150–75K
575–100K
10100–150K
7150K+
26 reports with mileage · 10 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 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
36 reports
100,000 miles · Jun 5, 2011
Structure
BMW E46 MODEL 3-SERIES HAVE A KNOWN SUBFRAME WEAKNESS CAUSING THE REAR AXLE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SUPPOSEDLY RESOLVED THIS, BUT THE TERMS OF THE SUIT ENDED IN 2010 LEAVING ANYONE THAT EXPERIENCES THE PROBLEM AFTER THE TERM OF THE SUITE TO FIX THE BMW ADMITTED ENGINEERING FAILURE THEMSELVES. T…
Read full complaint
BMW E46 MODEL 3-SERIES HAVE A KNOWN SUBFRAME WEAKNESS CAUSING THE REAR AXLE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SUPPOSEDLY RESOLVED THIS, BUT THE TERMS OF THE SUIT ENDED IN 2010 LEAVING ANYONE THAT EXPERIENCES THE PROBLEM AFTER THE TERM OF THE SUITE TO FIX THE BMW ADMITTED ENGINEERING FAILURE THEMSELVES. THIS LEAVES THOUSANDS OF 1999-2006 BMW 3 SERIES AS POTENTIAL HAZARDS ON THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404508
100,000 miles · Oct 27, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF YET IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AT THE FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE MANU…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF YET IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AT THE FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 04/13/11*LJ UPDATED 06/01/11*LJ UPDATED 01/04/2012 *LN *TR
NHTSA ODI #10362589
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2010
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW SERIES 3. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE IDLES VERY HARD. THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE IGNITION COIL IS THE REASON FOR THE HARD IDLING. THE CONTACT STATES HE HAD HIS VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A BMW EMPLOYEE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE COIL WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT SAYS HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW SERIES 3. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE IDLES VERY HARD. THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE IGNITION COIL IS THE REASON FOR THE HARD IDLING. THE CONTACT STATES HE HAD HIS VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A BMW EMPLOYEE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE COIL WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT SAYS HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT SAYS THE VEHICLE HAD THE DEFECTIVE PART(S) BUT THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT GOING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SAYS HE HAS BEEN DEALING WITH THE MANUFACTURER FOR SIX MONTHS TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SAYS THAT IN A LETTER HE RECEIVED, HE WAS ADVISED THAT IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRED, THE VEHICLE WILL FAIL INSPECTION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10304676
22,500 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureSuspension
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 THAT THIS PR…
Read full complaint
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 THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD NEVER HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED BY A CAR'S COMPUTER, AND THIS WAS JUST AN OUT FOR THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER. I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THEIR ANSWER, AND AM LOOKING FOR A WAY TO PROTEST THEIR DECISION. FOR RIGHT NOW, I WAS STUCK PAYING FOR THE TOTAL BILL WHICH EXCEEDED $6000.
NHTSA ODI #10070268
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2001
Tires
I PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THIS. SEE FILE # 748060- I HAVE NEVER REC'D ANY RESPONSE OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. I EXPERIENCED 2 FLAT TIRES SIMUTANEOUSLY AT HIGH SPEED WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING OR INDICATION OF ANYTHING IMPROPER, ETC. I ONLY HAD 4400 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND FIND HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD OCCUR. AFTER REPLACING AT MY EX…
Read full complaint
I PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THIS. SEE FILE # 748060- I HAVE NEVER REC'D ANY RESPONSE OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. I EXPERIENCED 2 FLAT TIRES SIMUTANEOUSLY AT HIGH SPEED WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING OR INDICATION OF ANYTHING IMPROPER, ETC. I ONLY HAD 4400 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND FIND HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD OCCUR. AFTER REPLACING AT MY EXPENSE, SINCE MY DEALER INFORMED ME THAT ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN TO TIRES AND THAT THEY WEREN'T RESPONSIBLE, I LEARNED OF NHTSA RECALL # 00V383. (PLEASE REFER TO THE SPECIFICS OF THIS RECALL BEFORE PROCEEDING). I TOOK DELIVERY OF MY CAR IN NOV. 2000, THEREFORE IT WAS EN ROUTE BY SEA IN OCT. 2000 AND MANUFACTURED IN SEPT. 2000. AFTER NOTIFYING MY DEALER, THEY SAID THEY HAD "CHECKED MY VIN NUMBER AND DETERMINED THAT MY CAR WASS NOT AFFECTED. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE AND DO NOT KNOW HOW TO VERIFY EXCEPT BY ASKING YOU TO INVESTIGATE. BMW USA WAS CONTACTED VIA E-MAIL AND PROVIDED NO ANSWERS, EXPLANATIONS, OR VERIFICATION OF THEIR CLAIM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AND PROVIDE ME WITH SOME KIND OF EXPLANATION AS TO WHETHER THIS WAS SOME FREAK COINCIDENCE THAT BMW IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR OR THAT THEY SHOULD REPLACE MY WHEELS, ETC. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. (DOT NUMBER: 00V383 TIRESIZE: 17)
NHTSA ODI #751971
Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2001
Air BagsCrash
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO HIS LANE, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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
2
EA02012 · Inadvertent SIDE-IMPACT Air Bag Deployme
Opened Jul 15, 2002 · Closed Jun 24, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window
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 OF NON-CRASH DEPLOYMENTS, MOST OF THE NON-RECALLED VEHICLES ALSO SHOWED EVIDENCE OF SIGNIFICANT POTHOLE/CURB IMPACT WITH SOME HAVING ADDITIONAL UNDERCARRIAGE CONTACT/SCRAPE OR SUSPENSION DAMAGE.SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PE02011 · Inadvertent SIDE-IMPACT Air Bag
Opened Jan 31, 2002 · Closed Jul 15, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window
No summary supplied.
2001 BMW 3 Series Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year