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2001 BMW 325CI

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 BMW 325CI do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 31.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

31 reports with mileage · 18 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 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 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 reports6 fire reports4 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

13 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V0428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V0428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10652046

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2002
Air BagsInjury

PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED WHILE NO PASENGER WAS RIDING. SMART INTELLIGENCE AIRBAG FAILED TO FUNCTION. RELATE TO A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT, AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 30MPH,. CAUSING DRIVER LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE, NO ADDITONAL PASSENGER. NOTE: AIRBAG SHOULD NOT DEPLOY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IF NO ONE IS RIDING. THE INTELL…

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PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED WHILE NO PASENGER WAS RIDING. SMART INTELLIGENCE AIRBAG FAILED TO FUNCTION. RELATE TO A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT, AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 30MPH,. CAUSING DRIVER LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE, NO ADDITONAL PASSENGER. NOTE: AIRBAG SHOULD NOT DEPLOY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IF NO ONE IS RIDING. THE INTELLIGENCE AIRBAG SYSTEM ONLY ACTIVATES AIRBAG WHEN THERE IS A PERSON SITTING THERE--CLEARLY A DEFECT, UNLIKE BMW'S PERVOIUS CLAIM THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM, OR PREVIOUS RECALLS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #767420

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2002
Air BagsInjury

ON SEPTEMBER 15TH, 8:20PM EST MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT GETTING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE A 325 CI, PRODUCTION DATE AUGUST 1ST, 2000. I WAS GOING OFF AN EXIT RAMP WHEN THE CAR RAN OVER THE "CAT EYE" STONE DIVIDERS ON THE ROAD (THOSE STONE DOTS, ABOUT .5 INCH HEIGHT). MY RIGHT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AT THE S…

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ON SEPTEMBER 15TH, 8:20PM EST MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT GETTING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE A 325 CI, PRODUCTION DATE AUGUST 1ST, 2000. I WAS GOING OFF AN EXIT RAMP WHEN THE CAR RAN OVER THE "CAT EYE" STONE DIVIDERS ON THE ROAD (THOSE STONE DOTS, ABOUT .5 INCH HEIGHT). MY RIGHT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AT THE SAME TIME THE EMERGENCY LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE CAR SHUT OFF BY ITSELF. I WAS IN A RAMP SO THIS INCIDENCE CAUSED ME TO LOSE THE POWER IN A TERM. MY POWER BREAK STOPPED WORKING AND I HAD TO PULL THE HAND BREAK TO STOP THE CAR. MY LAWYERS HAVE SUGGESTED ME TO CONTACT BMWNA FIRST TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. BUT I HAVE FOUND A RECALL ON 323/328 CARS FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I AM GLAD NO BODY WAS HURT IN THIS INCIDENCE. THE CAR HAS NO DENT ON DOOR OR ANY BODY DAMAGE BESIDE THE TIRE AND THE RIMS WERE CHIPPED/DENTED DUE TO THE RESULT THAT I HAD TO PULL OVER SO FAST ONTO THE CLUB TO AVOID ON COMING TRAFFIC. I AM ADDRESSING THIS CONCERN BECAUSE I HOPE YOUR COMPANY WILL START INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM TO AVOID ANY FUTURE ACCIDENTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #767222

Official recalls

5

21V401000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

May 27, 2021

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.

20V018000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 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.

19V853000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

02V138000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

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.

01V206000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

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.

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.