Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 9 of 31 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports5 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
31 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
DAY AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE ENGINE COOLING FAN FAILED, ALLOWING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THIS RESULTED IN A FIRE, 8" FLAME IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALERSHIP REPLACED ENGINE COOLING FAN. HOWEVER, FAN FAILED AGAIN, AND ENGINE COOLANT WAS FOUND TO BE ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT , UNKNOWN IF A FIRE OCCURRED IN THE SECOND INC…
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DAY AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE ENGINE COOLING FAN FAILED, ALLOWING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THIS RESULTED IN A FIRE, 8" FLAME IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALERSHIP REPLACED ENGINE COOLING FAN. HOWEVER, FAN FAILED AGAIN, AND ENGINE COOLANT WAS FOUND TO BE ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT , UNKNOWN IF A FIRE OCCURRED IN THE SECOND INCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #896968
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS IS THE THIRD COOLING FAN TO FAIL IN THIS CAR. WHEN THE FAN FAILS THE CAR BECOMES INOPERABLE AND BOILS OVER QUICKLY.THE LAST FAN WAS THE "SECOND GENERATION" FAN AND WAS A REPLACEMENT DESIGN FOR THE ORIGINAL FAN DESIGN. NOW I AM TOLD THERE IS A "THIRD GENERATION" FAN BEING BUILT. THE CAR NOW QUALIFIES AS A "LEMON" UNDER WASHI…
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THIS IS THE THIRD COOLING FAN TO FAIL IN THIS CAR. WHEN THE FAN FAILS THE CAR BECOMES INOPERABLE AND BOILS OVER QUICKLY.THE LAST FAN WAS THE "SECOND GENERATION" FAN AND WAS A REPLACEMENT DESIGN FOR THE ORIGINAL FAN DESIGN. NOW I AM TOLD THERE IS A "THIRD GENERATION" FAN BEING BUILT. THE CAR NOW QUALIFIES AS A "LEMON" UNDER WASHINGTON STATE LAW. THERE STILL IS NO RECALL NOTICE TO CONSUMERS DRIVING THESE CARS. LAST BREAKDOWN WAS LATE AT NIGHT IN AN UNSAFE AREA. THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT TO NHSTA.*AK
NHTSA ODI #752113
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
OVERHEATED IN ITS FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH LIGHT STOP & GO TRAFFIC. NO RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW, SUPPOSEDLY BECAUSE OF A SHORTAGE OF REPLACEMENT FAN UNITS.
NHTSA ODI #750310
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2001
Tires
I DISCOVERED A 2-INCH BUBBLE IN THE SIDE OF THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A SNAPPED BELT THAT IS ALLOWING AIR TO ESCAPE THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. THE TIRE HAS 3700 MILES ON IT, AND I HAVE NEVER RUN OVER SO MUCH AS A LARGE POTHOLE. NEVERTHELESS, THE DEALER AND LOCAL TIRE COMPANIES WHO DEAL IN CO…
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I DISCOVERED A 2-INCH BUBBLE IN THE SIDE OF THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A SNAPPED BELT THAT IS ALLOWING AIR TO ESCAPE THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. THE TIRE HAS 3700 MILES ON IT, AND I HAVE NEVER RUN OVER SO MUCH AS A LARGE POTHOLE. NEVERTHELESS, THE DEALER AND LOCAL TIRE COMPANIES WHO DEAL IN CONTINENTAL TIRES HAVE REFUSED TO HONOR ANY WARRANTY, CLAIMING THAT THE PROBLEM IS A ROAD HAZARD. IF THE TIRE IS SO POORLY DESIGNED OR MANUFACTURED THAT NORMAL, ON-STREET DRIVING CAUSES A BELT TO SNAP WITH LESS THAN 5,000 MILES ON THE TIRE, SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH ITS MANUFACTURE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #750083
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
DEFECTIVE COOLANT FAN CAUSED OVERHEATING AT LESS THAN 1000 MILES AND WHILE SITTING IN A PARKING LOT. DEALER SAID BMW WAS AWARE THAT THERE WERE DEFECTIVE FANS AND REPLACED THE FAN WITH THE SAME TYPE OF DEFECTIVE FAN. ON 7/29/01 WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC THE CAR OVERHEATED AGAIN AND THE ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. AS TRAFFIC MOVE…
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DEFECTIVE COOLANT FAN CAUSED OVERHEATING AT LESS THAN 1000 MILES AND WHILE SITTING IN A PARKING LOT. DEALER SAID BMW WAS AWARE THAT THERE WERE DEFECTIVE FANS AND REPLACED THE FAN WITH THE SAME TYPE OF DEFECTIVE FAN. ON 7/29/01 WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC THE CAR OVERHEATED AGAIN AND THE ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. AS TRAFFIC MOVED, CAR COOLED BUT ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT STAYED ON. CAR TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT FAN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #749438
Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2001
Seat Belts
REAR SEAT HAS 3 SEAT BELT LEFT/MIDDLE AND RIGHT HAND SIDEIN WHICH REAR PASSSENGER SIDE IS THE ONLY ONE WITH A LOCK. CONSUMER CONTACTED BMW DIRECTLY,AND THEY STATED THAT CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE CHECKED VEHICLE BEFORE PURCHASING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #890521
Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CAR HAS OVERHEATED TWICE. IT WAS NOT DRIVEABLE AND WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT. THEY CLAIM IT WAS A MALFUNCTIONING FAN, AND THE PART WAS REPLACED TWICE.
NHTSA ODI #747007
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
AUXILIARY FAN STOPPED AND ENGINE OVERHEATED DURING REGULAR DRIVING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #746871
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
AUXILIARY COOLING FAN PROBLEM CAUSED ENGINE OVERHEATING. OVERHEATING BROKE ENGINE THERMOSTAT & THERMOSTAT HOUSING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #746675
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
AFTER DRIVING 15 MILES AND PARKING VEHICLE IN GARAGE, SHE SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL/BURNING SMELL. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE AND BACKED IT OUT OF GARAGE. WHEN VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF GARAGE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD, AND COULD SEE FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN SHE LOOKED THROUGH GRILL. FIRE COMPANY AND INSU…
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AFTER DRIVING 15 MILES AND PARKING VEHICLE IN GARAGE, SHE SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL/BURNING SMELL. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE AND BACKED IT OUT OF GARAGE. WHEN VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF GARAGE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD, AND COULD SEE FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN SHE LOOKED THROUGH GRILL. FIRE COMPANY AND INSURANCE ADJUSTER DETERMINED THAT ENGINE FAN WAS COMPONENT RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 325i and 325xi Sedan, and 323Ci, 325Ci, and 330Ci Convertible vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles that may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. The frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and 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: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of previous recalls, numbers 17V-047 and 19V-015.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT vehicles, and 2001-2003 X5 3.0i, X5 4.4i, and X5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2017. 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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2001 BMW 325 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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